Researchers studied how different growing conditions affect the production of harmful toxins by a fungus called Fusarium verticillioides that contaminates crops. Using advanced chemical analysis techniques, they found that the type of growth medium and time of incubation significantly influenced which toxins the fungus produced and in what amounts. Growing the fungus on corn-based medium produced different toxins than growing it on barley-based medium. These findings can help develop better strategies to prevent mycotoxin contamination in food and animal feed.