Fusarium Species

For the first time in over 20 years, a comprehensive collection of photographs and descriptions of species in the fungal genus Fusarium is available. This laboratory manual provides an overview of the biology of Fusarium and the techniques involved in the isolation, identification and characterization of individual species and the populations in which they occur. It is the first time that genetic, morphological and molecular approaches have been incorporated into a volume devoted to Fusarium identification. The authors include descriptions of species, both new and old, and provide protocols for genetic, morphological and molecular identification techniques. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual also includes some of the evolutionary biology and population genetics thinking that has begun to inform the understanding of agriculturally important fungal pathogens. In addition to practical “how-to” protocols it also provides guidance in formulating questions and obtaining answers about this very important group of fungi. The need for as many different techniques as possible to be used in the identification and characterization process has never been greater. These approaches have applications to fungi other than those in the genus Fusarium. This volume presents an introduction to the genus Fusarium, the toxins these fungi produce and the diseases they can cause. "The Fusarium Laboratory Manual is a milestone in the study of the genus Fusarium and will help bridge the gap between morphological and phylogenetic taxonomy. It will be used by everybody dealing with Fusarium in the Third Millenium." --W.F.O. Marasas, Medical Research Council, South Africa

Diseases caused by Fusarium and their control; The fungus Fusarium: ecology; The fungus Fusarium: genetics and cytology; The fungus Fusarium: Physiology and histopathology; The fungus Fusarium: Taxonomy.

This book is a practical guide to identification of the nine species of Fusarium recognized by Snyder and Hansen in their taxonomic revision of the genus.

Specialists from a number of different disciplines have contributed to this book which presents actual basic and applied findings on Fusarium species, on their metabolites and taxonomy, in connection with pathogenicity to cereal plants and potato tubers. Over 100 metabolites produced by Fusaria are described together with results of studies on their occurrence in agricultural products, their metabolism in farm animals, and possibilities of elmination and detoxification during technological processes. Pathogenic Fusarium species are described from the point of view of their taxonomy, profiles of produced metabolites, ecology, pathogenicity and interaction with cereal tissues. Finally, some actual solutions to avoid cereal grain contamination are discussed, mainly in connection with agricultural practices and breeding programmes. The interdisciplinary and comprehensive nature of the book makes it particularly useful to all who are studying or teaching plant pathology, plant breeding, animal nutrition and any other area in which Fusaria and their metabolites play an important role.

Fusarium species are ubiquitous environmental fungi and can cause severe invasive infections in plants. They are crop pathogens, and consumption of such infected crops can cause diseases in humans and animals. Furthermore, they act as spoilage organisms in stored products, such as wheat, sorghum, rice, and corn (maize). Fusarium species are mycotoxin producers and contaminate food and grains. Therefore, their eradication and management have economic importance as they can cause enormous economic and agricultural production losses. Despite the fact that the genus Fusarium Link (1809) has been known for over 200 years, new scientific information is being revealed by rapid advancements and breakthrough findings of interdisciplinary studies. This book presents an introductory overview of an update to the scientific knowledge about Fusarium. It discusses various aspects of Fusarium, such as its genetic diversity, root rot incidence and severity, genetic resistance, molecular markers, mycotoxins, diseases caused by Fusarium, and their management and the biological control of these phytopathogens. Furthermore, it also elaborates upon new plant secondary metabolites that are effective against Fusarium and the molecular interaction between Fusarium and the plant.

This clear, in-depth guide describes the Fusarium genus and its toxins--a widespread group of plant pathogens associated with disease and sometimes death in humans and livestock and implicated as the active agent in ``yellow rain.'' Noted authority Abraham Joffe presents new and original research into the biology of the Fusarium and the chemistry, biochemical and toxicological properties of their toxins.

Health and safety of food and feed are the most important criteria for their quality. The quality of feed is in turn important for animal health, the environment and for the safety of food from animal origin. Fungi belonging to the Fusarium genus are widespread in crops causing plant diseases and producing toxic metabolites. Fusarium species can colonize plants during their growth on the field and cause serious damage in terms of yield and quality of harvested grains. One of the most important fungal diseases of wheat and other cereals in the world is Fusariumhead blight caused by the fungal pathogens Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium culmorumand others. In addition, these fungi produce mycotoxins, contaminating food and feed. The most important Fusarium mycotoxins include trichothecenes, zearalenone and fumonisins, primarily because of their prevalence, but also because of the toxic effect to humans and animals. However, these fungi produce also other mycotoxins such as moniliformin, beauvericin, enniantin or fusarins. Food and feed can be contaminated with mycotoxins at various stages in the production chain resulting in serious problems with health, safety and economic losses. It is estimated that 25% of the crop in the world each year are contaminated with these metabolites, the problem affects both industrialized countries and developing countries. The aim of this Research Topic of Frontiers in Microbiology is to publish state of the art research about occurrence and genomics of Fusarium species and their mycotoxins in the whole food and feed chain starting from the crops as well as implications for health and economic aspects. This research topic highlights the current knowledge on the plant diseases caused by Fusarium fungi as well as all aspects of Fusarium mycotoxin contamination of crops, food and feed, taking into account decontamination methods.