Projects / Programmes
Diversity and mycotoxins of fungi causing apple core rot
Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
4.03.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Plant production |
|
Code |
Science |
Field |
B006 |
Biomedical sciences |
Agronomics |
B390 |
Biomedical sciences |
Phytotechny, horticulture, crop protection, phytopathology |
apple core rot, biodiversity, molecular identification, microfungi, microniche, mycotoxins
Researchers (7)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Various fungi colonize and infect the calyx of apples and can cause core rots. Core rot can remain restricted to the apple core and is difficult to detect. Among others, core rot causing fungi belong to genera such as Alternaria, Fusarium, and Penicillium, encompassing species known to produce mycotoxins being dangerous for human, particularly infants, and animals. Ability to form particular mycotoxins is frequently restricted to certain species or naturally related species groups. Because core rot causing fungi have been rarely identified to species level based on modern taxonomical concepts, their mycotoxin potential cannot be predicted. We suggest inventarization of microfungi from calyx and core of developing and mature apples, particularly of those showing core rot and to determine secondary metabolites formed by these fungi. State of the art identifications will allow predictions of mycotoxin potential of isolated species. Profiles of secondary metabolites are analysed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography - Diode Array Detection (HPLC-DAD); specific mycotoxins are detected using methods such as HPLC and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Their potential to form metabolites, particularly mycotoxins, will be analysed from material grown on specificly defined media that provide production of diverse metabolites. To determine metabolites formed by the fungi in the apple core, flowers and fruits will be artificially inoculated with spore suspensions of representative strains. Metabolites formed in core rot caused by artificially inoculated fungi are analysed. By comparing profiles of metabolites formed in culture with the profiles detected from the core rot, those metabolites are identified a fungus likely produces also in naturally infected fruits. The project will generate new data related to ecology, plant-pathology, and fungal biodiversity and will allow development of strategies to control the disease.