As
harvest progresses, farmers are finding vomitoxin in their corn.
Gibberella (GIB) ear rot is caused by Fusarium graminearum, a fungus
that is also called Gibberella zeae. This pathogen infects corn and
wheat causing ear rot, stalk rot, and head scab. Corn symptoms include a
reddish or pinkish-white mold on the ear tips. This pathogen infects
the pollen tubes at pollination and then produces vomitoxin and other
toxins as it grows. The pathogen over-winters on plant residue, usually
corn stalks/leaves and wheat residue (straw and chaff).