Effect of fungicides commonly used for Fusarium head blight management on growth and fumonisin production by Fusarium proliferatum.

Fumonisin occurrence was reported in wheat grains and F. proliferatum has been suggested to be the main contributor to its presence in wheat. Thus, a survey was performed in order to study the impact of four commercial fungicides used in Argentina for controlling Fusarium head blight disease (epoxiconazole+metconazole, tebuconazole, pyraclostrobin+epoxiconazole, and prothioconazole) on growth and fumonisin production of two F. proliferatum strains in relation to water activity (aW; 0.99, 0.97, 0.95) and temperature (15°C and 25°C). Most fungicides reduced growth rates when compared to the control (reduction increased as fungicide concentration increased), and reduced fumonisin production when they were used at high doses; however, most fungicides enhanced fumonisin production at sublethal doses, with the exception of prothioconazole. Thus, fungicides used for FHB management could enhance fumonisin production by F. proliferatum strains present in wheat grains.