Abstract
AbstractAflatoxin, a metabolite of the ubiquitous fungus, Aspergillus flavus Link, is a chronic contaminant of preharvest corn (Zea mays L.) produced in some areas of the USA. Growing hybrids that sustain relatively low levels of toxin has been suggested as a method of minimizing this potentially serious threat to animal and human health. The purpose of this 3‐year study was to evaluate ears of selected popcorn genotypes for corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), damage, incidence of greenish‐yellow fungus (GYF) sporulation characteristic of A. flavus Link infections, and aflatoxin contamination levels in the grain. Evaluations were conducted under field conditions in Tifton loamy sand (Thermic, Plinthic Paleudult) and involved 17 popcorn genotypes. Results demonstrated significant differences among popcorns for levels of aflatoxin contamination, fungal infection, and corn earworm damage. A significant interaction between genotypes and years indicated that information from a single year cannot be relied upon to accurately identify host plant genotypes with consistent low aflatoxin levels.
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