Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer, Planting Date, and Harvest Date on Aflatoxin Production in Corn Inoculated withAspergillus flavus

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Abstract
Concentrations of aflatoxin B1 were measured in artificially wounded and inoculated kernels of a short-season and a full-season corn cultivar grown in the Tidewater area of North Carolina [USA], where incidence of aflatoxin from natural infection by A. flavus is low. In 1978, isolate 160 of A. flavus grew well but produced very little aflatoxin in inoculated ears; in 1979, it produced moderate levels while a 2nd isolate, 3357, produced high levels. No significant difference was established between cultivars in either year, but corn planted 9 May 1979 had more aflatoxin than corn planted 11 April 1979. Significantly more aflatoxin was produced in grain harvested late (18% moisture) than in that harvested early (28% moisture). Aflatoxin B1 concentrations were consistently higher in corn grown in plots low in N. Corn planted and harvested late and produced under N stress is a better substrate for preharvest aflatoxin production than corn grown under good management practices and supplied with adequate N.