CONTROL OF FUSARIUM VERTICILLIOIDES, FUMONISINS AND FUSARIUM DISEASES OF MAIZE

Identify genes that regulate fumonisin production in F. verticillioides. Identify genes that contribute to the ability of F. verticillioides to cause maize ear rot. Identify biochemical changes in maize in response to fumonisin B1 and F. verticillioides, and to determine if there is cross-talk between maize and F. verticillioides sphingolipids. Identify genes responsible for the biosynthesis of other agronomically important mycotoxins produced by the maize ear rot pathogens F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum and F. subglutinans. Develop a rapid, selective and robust PCR-based diagnostic test to detect and quantify mycotoxigenic strains of Fusarium in contaminated grain and food products.