Morphological, molecular and pathogenicity characteristics of Fusarium verticillioides causing Fusarium ear rot of corn in Panama

Zea mays is the second most popular cereal crop in Panama. Its production is intended for human and livestock consumption but is threatened by several diseases. We report the occurrence of Fusarium ear rot, a disease that has affected corn production in a specific region of Panama. This issue could potentially have significant implications at both the national and international levels. The disease was observed in January 2024, in the El Ejido and Nanzal localities in Los Santos, Panama. Symptoms of the disease included rotting and discoloration of corn kernels on the cob. We consistently isolated the same fungus from infected kernels of Z. mays from both localities and conducted pathogenicity tests on detached healthy kernels. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses of the isolated fungus reveled that the causal agent to be Fusarium verticillioides. This is the first report of F. verticillioides as a pathogen of Z. mays in Panama. This study provides valuable information on the diversity of pathogenic fungi in Panama, emphasizing the need for future research to focus on understanding and controlling this disease.