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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Genetics and Breeding Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #132928
Title: HOST SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES IN PREHARVEST GRAIN INFECTION BY TOXIGENIC FUNGI IN DRYLAND PEARL MILLET AND CORN

Author
item Wilson, Jeffrey - Jeff
item Hanna, Wayne
item WILSON, DAVE - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item COY, ANTON - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/28/2002
Publication Date: 6/15/2002
Citation: Wilson, J.P., Hanna, W.W., Wilson, D.M., Coy, A.E. 2002. Host specific differences in preharvest grain infection by toxigenic fungi in dryland pearl millet and corn. Phytopathology 92:S87.

Interpretive Summary: not required

Technical Abstract: Pearl millet is a promising alternative feed grain for the Southern Coastal Plain. Preharvest grain infection by potentially toxigenic fungi in pearl millet and corn were compared in 2000 and 2001. Hybrids were grown in dryland conditions at several planting dates to allow variation in flowering time. Grain was harvested and fungi were isolated in the laboratory. Fungal isolations differed by host species in both years. Across years, average isolation frequencies of Aspergillus flavus, F. verticillioides, F. semitectum, and F. chlamydosporum from corn were 4.3, 62.3, 0.1, and 0.0%, respectively; those from pearl millet were 0.1, 0.3, 55.9, and 23.8%. Isolation frequencies of F. verticillioides and F. semitectum differed by planting date. In 2000, aflatoxins in corn and pearl millet averaged 135.6 and 0.1 ppb, and fumonisins averaged 6.1 and 0.0 ppm, respectively. Differences in preharvest mycotoxins are likely due to host specific differences in preharvest fungal infection of the grain.