Evaluation of Corn Genotypes for Resistance to Aspergillus Ear Rot, Kernel Infection, and Aflatoxin Production

Evaluation of Maize Genotypes for Resistance to <i>Aspergillus</i> Infection and Aflatoxin Production

“…Two drops of Tween 20 per 100 ml were added. Concentration of conidia in the final suspension was measured using a hemacytometer and adjusted to the 1x10 6 conidia /ml with SDW (Campbell and White 1995). Conidial suspension was prepared immediately prior to use.…”

“…Unsprayed plots were served as the control. After harvesting, six ears in center row were collected from each plot and sundried for 7 days to use for the analysis of aflatoxin production by Enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Campbell and White 1995). Percentage kernel infection of each treatment by Aspergillus were measured by plating of randomly collected 50 kernels of each plot on PDA and subsequent growing of Aspergillus on medium during 7 days incubation at room temperature.…”

“…and the disease along with the associated production of aflatoxin in grains are prevalent in the maize cultivations in years with drought conditions. Maize grain with more than 20 ppb aflatoxin cannot be sold in international market and some countries are not buying grains with aflatoxin contamination greater than 10ppb (Campbell and White 1995).…”

“…Thus, artificial inoculation is preferred but inoculation techniques that produce uniformly high levels of ear rot and aflatoxin must be used (Davis et al, 1986). Differences in Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin production have been observed in commercial maize hybrids, in inbreds and open-pollinated varieties (Campbell and White 1995). Although genotypic resistance to Aspergillus ear rot and aflatoxin production is known, high levels of resistance have not been incorporated into commercially valuable hybrids (Campbell and White, 1995).…”

“…Differences in Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin production have been observed in commercial maize hybrids, in inbreds and open-pollinated varieties (Campbell and White 1995). Although genotypic resistance to Aspergillus ear rot and aflatoxin production is known, high levels of resistance have not been incorporated into commercially valuable hybrids (Campbell and White, 1995). Therefore this study was undertaken to identify genotypes that are resistant to aflatoxin production due to Aspergillus infection.…”