FUSARIUM VERTICILLIOIDES Y FUMONISINAS EN MAÍZ COSECHADO EN PEQUEÑAS EXPLOTACIONES Y CONUCOS DE ALGUNOS ESTADOS DE VENEZUELA

Abstract

Mazzani, C., Luzón, O., Chavarri, M., Fernández, M. and Hernández, N. 2008. Fusarium verticillioides and fumonisins in maíze harvested at small farms and “conucos” of some States of Venezuela. Fitopatol. Venez. 21: 18-22. Occurrence of F. verticillioides, fumonisins, and others molds were evaluated in 41 samples of yellow and white maize grains. Maize was harvested during 2005–2006, at small farms and “conucos” at Las Peñitas Aragua State, Manuare Carabobo State, Macapo Cojedes State, El Socorro-El Sombrero Guárico State, Turén Portuguesa State and Sabana de Parra Yaracuy State. The incidence of F. verticillioides was estimated placing disinfected kernels on a malt-salt-agar medium. Fumonisins contents were quantified by specific immunoassay. An opinion poll was carried out to the agricultural in order to know aspects related to the culture, harvest and storage of the maize grains. F. verticillioides incidence was high (>30%) in yellow maize grains of Guárico, Cojedes and Carabobo states, and in white maize grains of Cojedes, Carabobo and Yaracuy states. The incidence was intermediate (15-30%) in yellow maize grains of Aragua and Yaracuy states, and in white maize grains of Portuguesa and Aragua states. Low incidence (<15%) was found in the only one sample of yellow maize grains of the Portuguesa state, and in white maize grains of Aragua and Portuguesa states. Fumonisins contamination was found in many samples (56.1%). High contents of fumonisins (>1 μg/g) was found in yellow corn grains of Guárico and Carabobo states (3.1 y 1.6 μg/g, respectively) and in white corn grains in the Carabobo state (2.4 μg/g). Other species of toxigenic molds also were identified. Lack of knowledge about toxigenic molds and mycotoxins, and deficient agronomic management were determined at small farms and “conucos” of Aragua, Carabobo and Cojedes states, where exists high risk to ingest fumonisins in the rural population of scarce resource.