Aflatoxin in Corn Hybrids Field Inoculated with Aspergillus flavus

Abstract

AbstractCorn (Zea mays L.) genotypes with resistance to Aspergillus flavus Link ex Fr. are needed to reduce aflatoxin contamination of grain. The primary objective of this study was to determine if the pinbar inoculation technique was effective in separating hybrids for resistance and susceptibility to kernel infection by A. flavus and aflatoxin contamination of the grain at a number of locations, but other inoculation techniques were evaluated at individual locations. Two single crosses, Mo18W × Mp313E and SC54 × Tx601, previously classified as resistant to kernel infection by A. flavus and two susceptible crosses, Mp68:616 × SC212M and GT106 × T202, were used. We found that hybrids previously classified as resistant to kernel infection by A. flavus had fewer kernels infected and lower aflatoxin concentration in the corn grain at harvest. However, these differences were not significant at all locations. Over six locations, resistant hybrids contained 58% less aflatoxin in the grain and 41% fewer infected kernels than susceptible hybrids. In addition to the pinbar, the side‐needle, and to a lesser extent the knife inoculation technique, differentiated hybrid response to ear inoculation with A. flavus.