Toxic substances produced byFusarium. III. Production and screening of phytotoxic substances ofF. oxysporum f. sp.carthami responsible for the wilt disease of safflowerCarthamus tinctorius Linn.

Summary Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.carthami, a causative agent for the wilt disease of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius Linn.), has been shown to produce diacetoxyscirpenol, T-2 toxin, fusaric acid and lycomarasmin in artificial media. These substances produced disease syndromes, similar to those seen after the natural infection, when administered in healthy plants. Diacetoxyscirpenol and T-2 toxin have been detected in diseased safflower plants after inoculating with the wilt pathogen. This study is the first demonstration of vivotoxicity of diacetoxyscirpenol.