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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Raleigh, North Carolina » Plant Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #164249
Title: MARKER ASSISTED BREEDING FOR HOST RESISTANCE TO MYCOTOXIN CONTAMINATION

Author
item ROBERTSON, LEILANI - NORTH CAROLILNA UNIV
item PAYNE, GARY - NORTH CAROLINA UNIV
item Holland, Jim - Jim

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2004
Publication Date: 1/1/2006
Citation: Robertson, L.A., Payne, G.A., Holland, J.B. 2006. Marker assisted breeding for host resistance to mycotoxin contamination. Book Chapter.

Interpretive Summary: Naturally occurring fungal toxins, such as aflatoxin and fumonisin are chronic contaminates of maize grain in the United States. This review will focus on the genetics and breeding of host resistance to mycotoxin contamination in maize. Even though genetic resistance to plant diseases has been proven to be one of the most effective disease control strategies, at present there are no commercial corn hybrids that are completely resistant to mycotoxin contamination. However, corn genotypes differ in resistance to mycotoxin contamination, indicating that there are genetic components of resistance that can be selected for. The ultimate breeding goal is to develop hybrids that are both resistant to mycotoxin contamination while having commercially valuable agronomic characteristics. This chapter reviews the use of DNA markers to identify genome regions affecting levels of mycotoxin contamination in maize and the use of markers to improve selection for increased levels of resistance.

Technical Abstract: Naturally occurring fungal toxins, such as aflatoxin, produced by Aspergillus flavus, and fumonisin, produced by Fusarium verticillioides, are chronic contaminates of maize grain in the United States. This review will focus on the genetics and breeding of host resistance to mycotoxin contamination in maize. Even though genetic resistance to plant diseases has been proven to be one of the most effective disease control strategies, at present there are no commercial corn hybrids that are completely resistant to mycotoxin contamination. However, corn genotypes differ in resistance to mycotoxin contamination, indicating that there are genetic components of resistance that can be selected for. The ultimate breeding goal is to develop hybrids that are both resistant to mycotoxin contamination while having commercially valuable agronomic characteristics. This chapter reviews the use of DNA markers to identify genome regions affecting levels of mycotoxin contamination in maize and the use of markers to improve selection for increased levels of resistance.