Pathogenic and Genetic Characterization of Fusarium verticillioides Strains Collected from Maize and Sorghum Kernels

Commercial and sanitary qualities of cereals are important contribute to the determination final application destination grain and, thus, farmer profit. Although considered a minor crop in Italy, last years, cultivation area sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) has been increasing is often adjacent or subsequent most common maize (Zea mays L.) fields, with risk sharing mycotoxigenic fungi that both cereals, such as Fusarium verticillioides. The present work aims clarify if fungal physiological characteristic fumonisin production some plant growth parameters effects on germination, root shoot development tissue necrosis may be shared among F. verticillioides strains belonging sorghum, especially fields at same time. Sorghum kernels commonly less colonized contaminated by fumonisins than maize, least part, this aspect could explained higher frequency low-producing obtained from compared those maize. Moreover, although no clear pathogen specificity was found, results relating analyzed suggest host preference isolated affects seedlings greater severity well versus sorghum. Five microsatellite markers showed differences between two sets but not reliably discriminate hosts. resulting data crops, population selected during represent particular pathogenic issue for cultivation.