Concentration of moniliformin produced by Fusarium species in grains of transgenic Bt maize hybrids compared to their isogenic counterparts and commercial varieties under European corn borer pressure

Abstract

The European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis Hb., is a major pest of maize in Central Europe and is suspected to promote infection of maize with Fusarium species. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine moniliformin (MON) concentration in early maturing European Bt maize hybrids, their isogenic counterparts, commercial cultivars and experimental hybrids, (2) evaluate the association between MON concentration and ECB resistance and (3) correlate MON concentration with concentrations of other mycotoxins determined from the same plant materials. The field experiments were performed at five locations in Germany. MON concentration was significantly higher with manual infestation of ECB larvae (296 μg/kg) than under insecticide protection (66 μg/kg). Bt hybrids showed significantly lower MON concentrations and higher grain yields under manual ECB infestation than their corresponding isogenic counterparts, as well as commercial and experimental hybrids. All ECB resistance traits and grain yield under ECB infestation were significantly correlated with MON concentration. Correlations between concentrations of MON and other Fusarium mycotoxins were not significant. The use of Bt maize hybrids or insecticides to control ECB reduces the contamination of maize grains with MON in Central Europe. The presence of resistance genes against Fusarium species in the current elite maize germplasm was indicated by ECB susceptible non‐Bt hybrids with low‐MON concentrations.

Moniliformin analysis in maize samples from North-West Italy using multifunctional clean-up columns and the LC-MS/MS detection method

“…The collected data confirm an important link between MON contamination and ECB activity performing to the damage of maize ears, which was also observed also by Papst et al (Papst et al 2005) in Germany, in a comparative study on Bt maize and its isogenic counterparts. Moreover, Papst et al (Papst et al 2005) and Magg et al (Magg et al 2003) reported a significant correlation between the percentage of ECB damaged ears and the MON concentration in the kernel: the MON content in ears manually infested with ECB larvae was times higher than the control, which has been protected through an insecticide application.…”

Relationship between European Corn Borer injury, Fusarium proliferatum and F. subglutinans infection and moniliformin contamination in maize

“…Moreover, Papst et al (2005) and Magg et al (2003), in comparative studies on Bt maize and its isogenic counterparts conducted in Central Europe, have also reported a significant correlation between the percentage of ECB damaged ears and the MON concentration. Unfortunately, at the moment, no data are available on the effect of ECB on MON contents in warmer maize cultivation areas, where the pressure and damage caused to ears and kernels by this insect are higher.…”

The impact ofBacillus thuringiensis technology on the occurrence of fumonisins and other mycotoxins in maize

“…In the infested plots, the MON concentrations were 153.5, 336.7 and 266.1 µg/kg for the transgenic, isogenic and commercial hybrids, respectively. In contrast, in the protected plots, the MON concentrations were 49.1, 99.3 and 42.9 µg/kg for the transgenic, isogenic and commercial hybrids, respectively (Magg et al, 2003).…”