Detecting Fusarium graminearum in maize seed using a nested PCR system

Fusarium graminearum is one of the main pathogens underlying fungal corn stalk rot. To reduce the spread of seed-borne pathogens, nested PCR was used to construct a maize seed detection system. The specificity, sensitivity, and feasibility of this system were assessed in this study. The results showed that the system could effectively detect F. graminearum-carrying maize seeds with a sensitivity of 4.224 pg·μL⁻¹. It is a rapid, sensitive, and specific detection system that can provide technical support and guide future research in seed carrier detection, early diagnosis, and timely control of corn stalk rot. This is the first report to use nested PCR to detect F. graminearum in China.