Prevalence and Toxigenicity of Fusarium Species from Soils of Norway Near the Arctic Circle

Eleven Fusarium species were isolated from 22 of 37 soil samples collected from 37 sites in Norway from grassy areas; 33 samples were near the Arctic Circle (61–68°N). Fusarium oxysporum was abundant at 17 sites; F. merismoides at six sites; F. moniliforme at five sites; and F. acuminatum, F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. equiseti, F. proliferatum, F. sambucinum, F. semitectum, and F. solani were identified at 1–4 sites. Fusarium merismoides was found only in the most northern latitudes (65°50′-68°18′N). Three of the four isolates of F. moniliforme and 36 of 37 isolates of F. oxysporum tested for toxigenicity caused weight losses, hematuria and hemorrhage of tissues, and death of rats when rats were fed a rice medium in which Fusarium species were cultured. Fusarium merismoides was not lethal but caused substantial weight losses to rats in the 5-day test period.