Relationship of Harvest Date and Host Genotype to Infection of Maize Kernels by Fusarium moniliforme

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Abstract
Kernels of nine field-grown maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids were assayed for fungi, ergosterol content, and germination 8, 11, and 14 wk after the midsilk stage. Fusarium moniliforme and Acremonium sp. were the predominant fungi isolated from kernels. Frequencies of F. moniliforme differed significantly (P=0.05) among maize hybrids between harvests. Consistently low or high kernel colonization by F. moniliforme occurred in certain hybrids. Ergosterol content was greater in field samples with a high frequency of F. moniliforme, but there were no significant differences in ergosterol content among hybrids. F. moniliforme kernel infection had little influence on germinability of these hybrids.