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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Crop Science Research Laboratory » Corn Host Plant Resistance Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #121653
Title: A COMPARISON OF WOUNDING AND NON-WOUNDING INOCULATION TECHNIQUES ON AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION OF CORN IN THE FIELD

Author
item Windham, Gary
item Williams, William

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/17/2001
Publication Date: 2/1/2002
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Aflatoxin contamination of kernels of corn genotypes was determined after using three inoculation techniques to inoculate the ears with Aspergillus flavus. The inoculation techniques, which vary in amount of kernel wounding, included the silk channel technique (no wounding), the side needle technique (moderate wounding), and a knife inoculation technique (heavy wounding). Corn genotypes tested included two popcorn populations (MoSQA-C10, WPC(H23)-Co), an A. flavus resistant population (Gtmas:gk), two resistant hybrids (Mo18w x Mp313E, Mp313E x Mp420), and two susceptible hybrids (mp339 x SC212m, Ab24E x SC229). Ears were harvested at maturity, dried, and machine shelled. Aflatoxin contamination of ground samples was determined using the Vicam Afla Test. Corn genotypes inoculated using the silk channel technique and the side needle technique had comparable levels of aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin levels were higher in corn inoculated with the side needle technique compared to those inoculated with the knife. The two resistant corn hybrids (Mo18w x Mp313E, Mp323E x Mp420) had the lowest levels of aflatoxin contamination. Wound inoculating with a knife did not significantly increase the aflatoxin levels in these hybrids when compared to the other inoculation techniques.