Occurrence of deoxynivalenol and Fusarium graminearum in Argentinian wheat

During the 1993 harvest period there was a high incidence of Fusarium head blight in wheat in Argentina. Fusarium species that produce trichothecenes in wheat have been reported in several countries including Argentina. Several studies have shown that F. graminerarum and deoxynivalenol (DON) were the main contaminants detected in wheat and by-products in Argentina. The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of Fusarium spp. and DON contamination in wheat from Córdoba, Argentina during the 1993/94 harvest season. F. graminearum was the main Fusarium species isolated. From 40 samples analysed, 80% showed DON contamination. The levels of DON found ranged between 300 and 4500 micrograms/kg. There was good correlation between F. graminearum and DON contamination. Only five samples showed levels of DON higher than those established in the guidelines in Canada and the USA for food and feedstuffs.