Fusarium

Fusarium verticillioides is the most commonly reported fungal species infecting maize (Zea mays). Fusarium verticillioides is the accepted name of the species, which was also known as Fusarium moniliforme. The species has also been described as mating population A of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (formally known as Gibberella fujikuroi species complex). F. verticllioides produces the mutagenic chemical compound fusarin C. F. verticillioides produces a group of disease-causing mycotoxins—fumonisins—on infected kernels. Fusarium subglutinans is the anamorph of Gibberella fujikuroi. Fusarium strains in the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex cause diseases in a number of economically important plants. DNA sequencing data reveals the presence of two major groups representing cryptic species in F. subglutinans. These were further divided into groups that appeared to be reproductively isolated in the environment which suggests that they are undergoing separation into distinct taxa. One such divergent group is Fusarium subglutinans f. sp. pini which causes pitch canker of pine trees. It is a synonym of Fusarium circinatum. Fusarins are a class of mycotoxins produced mainly by fungi of the genus Fusarium, which can infect agriculturally important crops such as wheat, barley, oats, rye, and corn. Chemically, they are polyketides that are also derived from amino acids. Some members of the class, particularly fusarin C, are mutagenic.