Production of fusarin C on cereal and soybean by Fusarium moniliforme.

Two isolates of Fusarium moniliforme were compared with respect to production of a mutagenic compound, fusarin C, on seven corn varieties as well as on soybean, wheat, rye, barley, and a liquid culture medium. The isolates were originally obtained from corn and barley. Both isolates produced fusarin C on seed of all five crops within a 21-day period, and one isolate produced the largest amount on oats. Soybean was the poorest substrate for both isolates. Although the quantity of fusarin C produced on grain was isolate dependent, specific substrate requirements for each strain were suggested. The isolates differed in their ability to grow and produce fusarin C on corn with different moisture contents (16, 20, 24, and 28%). One isolate was more xerotolerant and grew at 16% moisture but did not produce the mutagen.