Kinetics of fumonisin B₁ formation in maize ears inoculated with Fusarium verticillioides

The kinetics of fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) biosynthesis have been examined in ears of four botanical varieties Zea mays var. indentata, Zea mays var. indurata, Zea mays var. saccharata and Zea mays var. everta inoculated with F. verticillioides isolates at silking stage. The level of mycotoxin accumulated in kernels was correlated with sample harvest time (r = 0.73) and ergosterol content (r = 0.70). FB₁ biosynthesis was influenced by amylose, starch and moisture contents, which undergo dynamic changes during grain formation. A comparative analysis of ear infection rates and efficiency of FB₁ biosynthesis showed that these are separate characters and their expression could be independent.