Fusarium praegraminearum sp. nov., a novel nivalenol mycotoxin-producing pathogen from New Zealand can induce head blight on wheat.
We report on the molecular and morphological characterization of a novel type B trichothecene toxin-producing species (i.e. B clade) recovered from litter in a maize field near Wellington, New Zealand, which is described as Fusarium praegraminearum sp. nov. This species was initially identified as F. acuminatum based on morphological characters. However, it differs from this species by producing longer, slightly asymmetrically curved macroconidia in which the apical cell is not as pointed and by its much faster colony growth rate on agar. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of portions of 13 genes resolved F. praegraminearum as the most basal species within the B clade. Mycotoxin analyses demonstrated that it was able to produce 4-acetylnivalenol and 4,15-diacetylnivalenol trichothecenes, the nontrichothecene sesquiterpenes culmorin and hydroxy-culmorins, and the estrogen zearalenone in vitro. Results of a pathogenicity experiment revealed that F. praegraminearum induced moderate head blight on wheat.
a Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3G8, Canada.
Tom
T
Gräfenhan
b Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua, Private Bag 92170, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
Peter R
PR
Johnston
c Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois 61604.
Martha M
MM
Vaughan
c Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois 61604.
Susan P
SP
McCormick
a Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3G8, Canada.
Robert H
RH
Proctor
a Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3G8, Canada.
Mark
M
Busman
a Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3G8, Canada.
Todd J
TJ
Ward
c Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois 61604.
Kerry
K
O'Donnell
D005670:Fusarium / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009520:New Zealand; D010802:Phylogeny; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000166:cytology; D014255:Trichothecenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D014908:Triticum / Q000382:microbiology*
D009183:Mycotoxins; D014255:Trichothecenes; C038405:nivalenol
RPB1; RPB2; genotyping; morphology; pathogenicity; phylogenetics; trichothecene; zearalenone