''Fusarium verticillioides'' is the most commonly reported fungal species infecting maize (''
Zea mays
Maize (; ''Zea mays''), also known as corn in North American English, is a tall stout Poaceae, grass that produces cereal grain. It was domesticated by indigenous peoples of Mexico, indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 9,000 years ago ...
''). ''Fusarium verticillioides'' is the accepted name of the species, which was also known as ''Fusarium moniliforme''. The species has also been described as mating population A of the ''Fusarium fujikuroi'' species complex (formally known as ''Gibberella fujikuroi'' species complex). ''F. verticllioides'' produces the
mutagen
In genetics, a mutagen is a physical or chemical agent that permanently changes genetic material, usually DNA, in an organism and thus increases the frequency of mutations above the natural background level. As many mutations can cause cancer in ...
ic chemical compound
fusarin C.
''F. verticillioides'' produces a group of disease-causing mycotoxins—
fumonisins—on infected kernels.
References
Fungal plant pathogens and diseases
verticillioides
Fungi described in 1881
Fungus species
{{Hypocreales-stub