Combined effects of benomyl and environmental factors on growth and expression of the fumonisin biosynthetic genes FUM1 and FUM19 by Fusarium verticillioides

Fusarium verticillioides is predominantly responsible of fumonisin contamination of maize and other cereals in Mediterranean climatic regions. This study examined the interaction of the fungicide benomyl, at ED₅₀ and ED₉₀ concentrations (effective doses of benomyl to reduce growth by 50% and 90%, respectively), with a range of temperatures (20-35 °C) and water potentials (-0.7, -2.8 and -7.0 MPa) compatible with current and foreseen climate change scenarios for these regions on growth and fumonisin biosynthesis in in vitro assays. The expression of fumonisin biosynthetic genes (FUM1 and FUM19) was quantified by real time RT-PCR. FUM1 encodes a polyketide synthase and FUM19 an ABC-type transporter, located both in the fumonisin biosynthetic cluster. The ED₅₀ and ED₉₀ concentrations obtained at 25 °C were 0.93 mg/L and 3.30 mg/L, respectively. Benomyl affected growth and fumonisin gene expression differently but it generally reduced fungal growth and fumonisin biosynthesis and both were significantly affected by temperature and water potential. This indicated that efficacy of benomyl might be compromised at certain conditions, although at similar or lower levels than other fungicides tested. Both fumonisin biosynthetic genes had similar expression patterns in all treatments and their correlation was positive and significant. The results suggested that Mediterranean climatic scenarios might suffer an additional negative impact of climate change by reducing the efficacy of antifungals used to control pathogens and toxigenic fungi.