Fusarium toxins in cereals - Results from eight German Federals States in 2000.

A total of 353 cereal samples from 8 German Federal States were analysed for Fusarium toxins in the 2000' survey. The level of mycotoxin contamination of the samples was higher than in the previous year due to higher moisture during flowering in some regions. Concerning deoxynivalenol (DON), the prevailing mycotoxin in all the samples, we have to consider, that 24% of the samples as well as the average concentration exceed the advisory level of 500 μg/kg. The application of Fusarium active fungicides reduced the DON level from 963 μg/kg (samples without treatment) to 630 μg/kg (all samples from treated and untreated fields). It has to be emphasised that the number of nivalenol (NIV) positive samples increased in comparison to the previous year from 9% to 17%. In addition, an increase in the level of NIV was detected, the maximum concentration in winter wheat was 3480 μg/kg. Cereals were rather moderately contaminated with zearalenone (ZEA), more than 80% of the samples contained less than 50 μg/kg.