Note: Effect of ear bagging systems onAspergillus flavus kernel infection and aflatoxin contamination of corn hybrids grown in the field

Abstract

Field studies were conducted for 4 years to determine the effect of various ear bagging systems onAspergillus flavus kernel infection and aflatoxin production in developing ears of corn hybrids. Each year, corn hybrids were grown on a Myatt loam (low water-holding capacity) and a Leeper silty clay loam (high water-holding capacity). Corn ears were inoculated withA. flavus using the side-needle technique 7 days after midsilk (50% of the plants in the plot had silks emerged). For the first 2 years, inoculated ears were covered with either white or black paper pollination bags at approximately 14 days after inoculation. During the last 2 years, inoculated ears were covered with either a brown paper pollination bag or a clear plastic zip-lock bag. Daily maximum temperatures were increased 2 to 4°C in all of the bagging systems over ambient temperatures. The bagging systems had a limited effect on aflatoxin production andA. flavus kernel infection in the Leeper silty clay loam. In the Myatt loam, ears covered with plastic bags had higher levels of aflatoxin contamination andA. flavus kernel infection compared with ears covered with paper bags.