MONILIFORMIN ACCUMULATION AND OTHER EFFECTS OF FUSARIUM-AVENACEUM (FR) SACC ON KERNELS OF WINTER-WHEAT CULTIVARS

Accumulation of the mycotoxin moniliformin (MON) and other effects on kernels were examined in 13 Polish winter wheat cultivars inoculated w ith F. avenaceum (Fr.) Sacc. isolate ATCC 64 451. Kernels from inocula ted ears were divided into three fractions: Fusarium damaged kernels ( FDK), kernels with black point symptoms (BPK) and healthy looking kern els (HLK). The average moniliformin content (mg/kg) was highest in cha ff (11.69), lower in infested kernels (FDK + BPK) (2.70) and lowest in HLK (1.16). The mean level (mg/kg) of moniliformin in kernels (total sample) ranged from 0.78 in cv. Liwilla to 3.84 in cv. Gama. Monilifor min levels in chaff were correlated (r = 0.5322) with the average meta bolite concentration (mg/kg) in kernels, and ranged from 4.97 in chaff of cv. Roma to 22.9 of cv. Alba. The moniliformin concentration in ke rnels (total sample) was highly correlated with the level of the metab olite in diseased kernels. This is the first report of the relationshi p of black point symptoms with F. avenaceum colonization of kernels an d moniliformin accumulation.