A Tale of Contrasting Economic Reaction to Mycotoxin in Maize and Wheat in the Same Agricultural-System in Ontario, Canada

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi that when ingested at low concentrations are harmful to human and animal health. Toxins from Fusarium graminearum [deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA)] are commonly found in wheat, barley and corn and their derived products. In Ontario, widespread occurrences of mycotoxins and substantial economic losses have occurred during periodic epidemics of Fusarium rendering grain unsuitable for human or animal consumption. The root causes of the epidemic and the consequent mycotoxin accumulation in grains are complex and multi-factorial. This paper makes comments on why we believe there is a contrasting approach between these two cropping systems within the same region.