Distribution of fusarium species and the occurrence of toxigenic strains of fusarium verticillioides and fusarium proliferatum in Nandi County, Kenya

Abstract

Maize is a staple food and feed commodity in Kenya. It is grown on abou t 1.4 million hectares of cropland with an annual estimated yield of 28 tonnes. One of the main concerns of maize production is maize ear rot disease. There have been numerous reports of fungal ear rot in maize crops, principal of which is Fusarium ear rot. Fusarium ear rot contamination can lead to fumonisin contamination in the grain and exposure to fumonisins has been linked to serious negative health effects in both humans and animals. Nandi County is one of the major maize-growing regions in Kenya and ithas also had a high incidence of esophageal cancer reported.