Increased Aflatoxin Contamination in Nitrogen-Stressed Corn

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Abstract
Aflatoxin concentrations in corn kernels wound-inoculated with Aspergillus flavus was correlated negatively with corn yield, silk leaf nitrogen, and grain nitrogen in a 2-yr study in North Carolina. At two of three locations in 1982, aflatoxin concentration in silk-inoculated ears was also correlated negatively with yield, silk leaf nitrogen, or grain nitrogen. Percent kernel infection of silk-inoculated ears was correlated with aflatoxin concentration but not with yield, silk leaf nitrogen, or grain nitrogen. Silk- or wound-inoculated ears from plants receiving no added nitrogen contained an average of 28% more aflatoxin than ears from plants that received optimum nitrogen fertilization. We conclude from these studies that nitrogen stress may be a factor contributing to aflatoxin contamination of corn.
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