Diversity in beauvericin and fusaproliferin production by different populations of Gibberella fujikuroi (Fusarium section Liseola)

Abstract

On the basis of the fertility. G. fujikuroi has been subdivided into at least six different, genetically distinct, mating populations, termed A - F. We tested members of these mating populations for their ability to produce two recently described toxins, beauvericin and fusaproliferin. Beauvericin was produced in large amounts by isolates belonging to the mating populations B, C, D, and E, whereas isolates of the A and F mating populations produced little, if any, of it. Fusaproliferin was produced by isolates from the D and E, but not by isolates from the A, B, C, and F mating populations. These results support the hypothesis that each mating population in the Liseola Section has a characteristic toxicological profile that could be used to differentiate the species of this section.