Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #280434
Title: Development of aflatoxin and insect resistant corn inbreds adapted to the Southern U.S.

Author
item Scully, Brian
item Guo, Baozhu
item Ni, Xinzhi
item Williams, William
item Henry, William
item Krakowsky, Matthew
item Brown, Robert

Submitted to: Corn Utilization Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2012
Publication Date: 6/4/2012
Citation: Scully, B.T., Guo, B., Ni, X., Williams, W.P., Henry, W.B., Krakowsky, M.D., Brown, R.L. 2012. Development of aflatoxin and insect resistant corn inbreds adapted to the Southern U.S.[abstract]. Corn Utilization Conference Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Aflatoxin contamination of corn grain is caused by Aspergillus flavus infection and is typically more severe in the warmer states adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico and the southeastern Atlantic coast. Corn production in this region is subjected to higher temperatures and often accompanied by drought. These weather patterns favor Aspergillus disease progression and typically occur during grain fill when the developing kernels are prone to infection. A number of research programs have developed of inbreds with resistance to aflatoxin contamination and ear feeding insects from tropical or novel genetic sources. To better meet the needs of the U.S. corn industry, newer materials have resulted from research that includes an emphasis on agronomic quality. Through combined efforts in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina, nine public inbreds, from diverse pedigrees have recently been released. In 2008, aflatoxin resistant lines TZAR 101 through TZAR 106 were released with both yellow and white endosperm. They were derived from a combination of African and southern adapted U.S. materials and additionally exhibited resistance to lodging and common foliar diseases, along with an upright leaf architecture. In 2011, GT-603 was released as a southern adapted inbred with superior combining ability, yellow endosperm and earlier flowering, along with aflatoxin resistance. Mp-718 and Mp-719 were released from Mississippi in 2012 as southern adapted inbreds with yellow endosperm. In addition to aflatoxin resistance they are both shorter and earlier than previous Mp lines. Newer materials from Georgia that show promise include two fall armyworm resistant lines FAW 1382 and FAW 1430, which combined well with Stiff Stalk and Non Stiff Stalk inbreds. Additionally, two aflatoxin resistant inbreds selected from GEM program materials including DK888:N11 and BR51721:N2012 have displayed superior combining ability and performance in hybrids.