Fusarium is a large
genus of
filamentous fungi, part of a group often referred to as
hyphomycetes, widely distributed in soil and associated with plants. Most species are harmless
saprobes, and are relatively abundant members of the soil microbial community. Some species produce
mycotoxins in cereal crops that can affect human and animal health if they enter the food chain. The main toxins produced by these
Fusarium species are
fumonisins and
trichothecenes.