Scanning Electron Microscopy of Fusarium moniliforme Within Asymptomatic Corn Kernels and Kernels Associated with Equine Leukoencephalomalacia. C. W. Bacon, Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit, Russell Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Athens, GA 30613. R. M. Bennett, D. M. Hinton, and K. A. Voss. Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit, Russell Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Athens, GA 30613. Plant Dis. 76:144-148. Accepted for publication 2 August 1991. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source, The American Phytopathological Society, 1992. DOI: 10.1094/PD-76-0144.

Fusarium moniliforme, a pathogen of corn, produces a variety of mycotoxins. Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the association of this fungus with asymptomatic kernels of corn and kernels associated with a specific animal toxicity, equine leukoencephalomalacia. The location of F. moniliforme in all asymptomatic kernels examined was always the pedicel or tip cap end of kernels. These observations suggest that, although it is unknown, the point of entry into asymptomatic kernels by the fungus is probably the same. The fungus was found within the embryo and endosperm in kernels associated with animal toxicity. In some toxic kernels, the fungus had undergone extensive growth and sporulation, producing microconidia that were similar to a known isolate of this species cultured on agar media.

Keyword(s): Gibberella fujikuroi, toxic corn, Zea mays.