Natural occurrence of fungi in feeding wheat after harvest and during storage in the agricultural farm facilities

During the whole period of storage, starting from harvest, quantity as well as taxonomic identification of isolated fungal genera (species) were determined in feeding wheat. Samples were collected from 7 farms. The objective of this experiment was to examine changes in isolated fungal populations during the wheat storage period. The highest fungal population densities were determined immediately after harvest (10(4)-10(5)cfu.g(-1) wheat grain). In the following assessments, the highest fungal density reached 1.09 x 10(4) cfu.g(-1) in one of the sampling sites. 24 fungal genera were isolated from the samples tested. The most dangerous fungi belonging to the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium were determined in 67-100% and 50-88% of the samples tested, respectively. The above-mentioned genera can strongly damage stored cereals by their capability of grain moulding as well as producing mycotoxins and allergens. Species determined as Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus etc. can contaminate wheat used for feeding purposes.