Accumulation of fumonisins in maize hybrids inoculated under field conditions with Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon

The accumulation of fumonisin B-1 (FB1) and fumonisin B-2 (FB2) after inoculation of 14 maize hybrids with Fusarium moniliforme has been examined in Poland during the seasons 1992-1995. Fumonisins have been detected in all 14 hybrids in amounts ranging from 0.09 mg kg(-1) FB1 + 0.02 mg kg(-1) FB2 to 93.2 mg kg(-1) FB1 + 15.8 mg kg(-1) FB2. Inoculated ears contained from < 1% up to 60% of Fusarium damaged (=mouldy) kernels (FDK). Fumonisins' levels in FDK ranged from 5.1 mg kg(-1) FB1 + 1.4 mg kg(-1) FB2 up to 196.0 mg kg(-1) FB1 + 62.0 mg kg(-1) FB2. Significant influence of the year of inoculation on ear infection and fumonisins accumulation was observed. Only one hybrid (Mona) exhibited low disease score, low percentage of FDK (1.1-2.6%) and low levels of fumonisins (FB1 from 0.09 to 1.66 mg kg(-1) and FB2 from 0.02 to 0.42 mg kg(-1)) during 3 years of experiments.