STUDY OF FUNGI OF THE FUSARIUM GENUS: IDENTIFICATION, TOXICITY AND IMPACT ON GRAIN

Abstract

The article presents an overview of modern studies Fusarium genus of fungi, one of the most dangerous phytopathogens in agriculture. These cosmopolitan soil microorganisms from the Ascomycota division cause serious plant diseases and produce mycotoxins, which leads to large economic losses. The main attention is paid to the species diversity of Fusarium fungi, their toxicity and impact on agricultural crops. The study of these aspects is important for minimizing crop losses, preventing accumulation of mycotoxins in products and ensuring food security. In Russia, seed, food and feed grain contamination with fungi of the Fusarium genus remains a serious phytosanitary and economic problem. Data analysis for the last decade confirms that there are no wheat varieties in the world that are resistant to these pathogens, which makes it impossible сompletely eliminate the accumulation of mycotoxins in grain. It has been established that mycotoxins have the ability to persist in the soil and be transferred to the phytomass of subsequent generations of agricultural crops, that causes long-term agroecological risks.