Journal of Phytopathology (2010) 158, 527-535

John Maina Wagacha, Ulrike Steiner, Heinz-Wilhelm Dehne, Sebastian Zuehlke, Michael Spiteller, James Muthomi and Erich-Christian Oerke (2010)
Diversity in mycotoxins and fungal species infecting wheat in Nakuru District, Kenya
Journal of Phytopathology 158 (7-8), 527-535
Abstract: Mycotoxin contamination of wheat kernels and diversity of fungal pathogens were monitored in a survey of 26 fields in Nakuru district, Kenya, in 2006. Sampling was performed twice; at mid-anthesis in July for leaves, stems and spikelets and at harvest in September for spikelets and kernels. Kernels were analysed for the occurrence of 32 mycotoxins using a high performance liquid chromatography - electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method. Fungi were isolated from surface-sterilized tissues and differentiated morphologically to the genus level. Fusarium isolates were identified based on the sequence of translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene. Eleven Fusarium-related mycotoxins were quantified with deoxynivalenol being detected at highest frequency (69%) and highest concentrations. Occurrence of enniatins in wheat (50%) is reported for the first time in Kenya. Non-Fusarium mycotoxins detected included aflatoxin G2, ochratoxin A, alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether. Prevalence of Fusarium species on different wheat parts was 100% at both growth stages. Nineteen Fusarium species were identified with seven species -Fusarium chlamydosporum, Fusarium boothi, Fusarium poae, Fusarium scirpi, Fusarium arthrosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium graminearum- accounting for 80% of infections. At anthesis, spikelets and leaves were the most and least susceptible tissue, respectively. At harvest, infection of spikelets was 59% higher than that of kernels.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): John Maina Wagacha, Heinz-Wilhelm Dehne

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Fusarium poae	Wheat (Triticum)	Kenya
	Fusarium avenaceum	Wheat (Triticum)	Kenya
	Fusarium graminearum	Wheat (Triticum)	Kenya
	Fusarium chlamydosporum	Wheat (Triticum)	Kenya
	Fusarium boothii	Wheat (Triticum)	Kenya