ARS | Publication request: TRACKING FUSARIUM VERTICILLIOIDES INFECTION AND FUMONISIN ACCUMULATION IN NORTH CAROLINA CORN.

Submitted to: Aflatoxin Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 22, 2001
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Naturally infected corn kernels were harvested from two locations in North Carolina at weekly intervals during the growing season to determine the percent kernels infected with Fusarium verticillioides and fumonisin content of the grain. One hybrid of intermediate resistance was used in 1999, while three hybrids ranging from more resistant to intermediate to more susceptible were planted in 2000. Kernels from the harvested ears were plated on a defined media and number of infected kernels was assessed. While the data is not completed for the 2000 season, several similarities exist in the data, including time of initial infection and timing of rapid increase in number of kernels infected. Fumonisin data from 1999 closely follows infection data and the same is expected for 2000. In summary, with the percent of infected kernels low early in the season, we hypothesize that early harvest of the grain would reduce fumonisin contamination.