ToxigenicFusarium species isolated from rotted potato tubers.

Fusariumsambucinum(F. trichothecioides),F. avenaceum andF. crookwellense, were the species most frequently isolated from lots of potato tubers imported to Southern Italy in 1985. Isolates of these species were tested for the production of zearalenone, zearalenols, trichothecenes and moniliformin, on three solid media (autoclaved kernels of maize or rice, and fresh potato tubers), incubated at different conditions. The toxigenic potential of the isolates was expressed only on rice and maize, while they were non capable to produce toxins on fresh potato under any conditions. In particular,F. crookwellense produced zearalenone and/or zearalenols (diastereomeric mixture) on maize, andF. avenaceum produced moniliformin both on maize and on rice; while no toxins were produced byF. sambucinum.