Preharvest Kernel Infection by Aspergillus flavus for Resistant and Susceptible Maize Hybrids

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Abstract
Kernel infection of maize, Zea mays L., by Aspergillus flavus Link ex Fr. and subsequent aflatoxin production is a frequent and serious problem in the southeastern USA. Some maize inbreds with resistance to kernel infection by A. flavus in the field have been identified. The objective of this study was to compare the level of kernel infection by A. flavus for 15 crosses among six resistant inbreds with IS crosses among six susceptible inbreds. The top ear of each plant was inoculated with the fungal spores using the pinbar inoculation technique. Crosses among resistant inbreds averaged 16.6% infected kernels compared with 30.4% for hybrids among susceptible inbreds during 2 yr of testing. Thus, incidence of A. flavus kernel infection in resistant crosses was 45% less than for hybrids of susceptible inbreds.

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