Species-specific PCR assay was used to monitor endophytic colonization of maize by F. proliferatum. The fungus could be detected in all parts of one-week-old seedlings, grown in artificially infected soil indicating that F. proliferatum entered into the host tissues during germination. However, the extent of colonization gradually decreased and by the third week no signs of infection were detected in any part of the plants. These findings confirmed that F. proliferatum is a weak pathogen of maize and the damage reportedly caused by this species originates from horizontal transmission of the fungus rather than from an unbalanced endophytic interaction.