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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #157179
Title: ANALYSIS OF BREEDING CORN LINES WITH RESISTANCE TO PREHARVEST AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION AND DROUGHT STRESS

Author
item Guo, Baozhu
item LUO, M - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item COY, A - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item LEE, R - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: Multicrop Aflatoxin and Fumonisin Elimination and Fungal Genomics Workshop-The Peanut Foundation
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2003
Publication Date: 12/15/2003
Citation: Guo, B., Luo, M., Coy, A.E., Lee, R.D. 2003. Analysis of breeding corn lines with resistance to preharvest aflatoxin contamination and drought stress [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 3rd Fungal Genomics, 4th Fumonisin, and 16th Aflatoxin Elimination Workshops, October 13-15, 2003, Savannah, Georgia. p. 49.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Aflatoxin contamination of corn in the field is known to be influenced by numerous factors, several of which cannot be controlled by the producer. In Southeastern U.S., insect populations are extremely large every year, such as corn earworm, and drought stress is conducive to Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin elaboration. The development of 'southern hybrid-type' corn with good husk coverage, insect and aflatoxin resistance, and with acceptable yield will help southern corn growers produce a quality, profitable crop. The objectives were to conduct field evaluation and comparison of the selected single-cross hybrid combinations for yield and aflatoxin contamination among inbred lines selected from GT-MAS:gk population and lines from China, CIMMYT/Mexico, and Spain with hard kernel character and drought tolerance, and to identify and understand genes/pathway using micrroarray analysis to study gene expression as influenced by drought stress, A. flavus, and the interactions. Single-cross hybrid field tests in Georgia and Texas have shown that several crosses have good yield potential for the Southeastern region in comparison with local commercial hybrids. A cooperative test conducted by voluntary cooperators was initiated and named as SERAT (South East Regional Aflatoxin Test) to conduct a region wide cooperative test to determine agronomic performance and aflatoxin resistance of developing corn cultivars. This year, there are 4 participating cooperators from TX, LA, and GA. We also used microarray analysis of gene expression to study the effects of drought stress, A. flavus infection, SA induction on gene expression in developing corn ear/kernels. Genomic research of gene expression analyses in the developing ears/kernels will help identify and understand the function of genes that control significant biological processes and agronomic performance under stress of drought and fungal infection, which are crucial in the development of genetic approaches for control of preharvest aflatoxin contamination. The data analyses of gene expression are in progress to identify the genes/pathways involved in plant response to the stresses.