DYNAMICS OF THE FUSARIUM TOXIN DISTRIBUTION IN MAIZE PLANTS AFFECTED BY STALK ROT

The content of trichothecenes and zearalenone in stalks, leaves, cobs and kernels of maize plants affected by Gibberella stalk rot was exami ned shortly after the appearance of the first symptoms of stalk rot in September and at harvest time (end of October). The main objective wa s to prove whether and to what extent stalk fusariosis increases the o ccurrence of ear rot. Though high concentrations of trichothecenes and zearalenone could be found in different parts of the maize plants alr eady on the first sample day no spreading of Fusarium and toxin contam ination to the kernels could generally be observed till harvest of gra in-maize.