Fusarium species in maize grains and stems (Zea mays L.) from subsistence and commercial systems

The objective of this research was the morphomolecular identification of species of the genus Fusarium associated with native and commercial maize genotypes in municipalities of Puebla and Morelos, Mexico, as well as to describe the socioeconomic and cultural importance of maize cultivation. Fusarium species were isolated from grains and stem cuttings with purple, brown, and dark brown pigmentations. They were identified morphomolecularly by using taxonomic keys and the Dinocapture 2.0 software, and by DNA extraction by the CTAB method and amplification of the ITS1 and ITS4 region by PCR. Four species were identified: Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium incarnatum and Fusarium napiforme with an identity greater than 98%. The genotypes with the highest incidence of Fusarium spp. were: Pioneer 30F35 in San Miguel, Teotlalco, Puebla by F. verticillioides (A2). The genotypes with the lowest incidence were: Shark from Tetelilla, Morelos by F. incarnatum (A1), F. verticillioides (A6) and F. napiforme (A7). Maize is the main food in many locations in Mexico, however, due to the high consumption of this grain and its derivatives, as well as the high consumption of meat presumably fed with this grain, it could represent a route of ingestion of mycotoxins.