Fusarium

Fusarium is an important genus of fungal pathogens, resulting in devastating diseases such as cereal scab. There are 17 known species of Fusarium infecting all members of the Gramineae and most genera of other cultivated plants. These fungi cause huge crop losses and produce mycotoxins that are detrimental to human and animal health. It's important to protect plants from fungal pathogens and to reduce or eliminate mycotoxin production.

Fusarium is a large genus of filamentous fungi, part of a group often referred to as hyphomycetes, widely distributed in soil and associated with plants. Most species are harmless saprobes, and are relatively abundant members of the soil microbial community. Some species produce mycotoxins in cereal crops that can affect human and animal health if they enter the food chain. The main toxins produced by these Fusarium species are fumonisins and trichothecenes. Despite most species apparently being harmless, some Fusarium species and subspecific groups are among the most important fungal pathogens of plants and animals.