Field Studies on the Mode of Entry ofAspergillus Flavusinto Cotton Seeds

Abstract

Aspergillus flavus was introduced into several natural openings in cotton plants at or before anthesis and the subsequent infection rate in the mature seed determined. Cotyledonary leaf scars of seedlings, unopened flower buds, and involucral nectaries or stigmata of newly opened flowers were inoculated with dry fungal spores. Seeds from plants inoculated at the cotyledonary node, involucral nectaries, and flower buds had significantly higher A. flavus infection rates than uninoculated control plants.