Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #139635
Title: INTEGRATION OF CROP MANAGEMENT AND GENETICS FOR CONTROL OF PREHARVEST AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION OF CORN

Author
item Widstrom, Neil
item Guo, Baozhu
item WILSOM, D - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: Journal of Toxicology Toxins Reviews
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2003
Publication Date: 9/1/2003
Citation: Widstrom, N.W., Baozhu, G., Wilson, D.M. 2003. Integration of crop management and genetics for control of preharvest aflatoxin contamination of corn. Journal of Toxicology Toxin Reviews. 22(2&3):195-223.

Interpretive Summary: Aflatoxins are, a byproduct of mold growth in a wide range of commodities, considered to be the most potent naturally-occurring carcinogen, and are produced primarily by Aspergillus spp. fungi. Their production by these fungi on corn can be dramatically influenced by several environmental factors that affect growing corn. Some of these factors are beyond control of producers; rainfall, ambient temperatures, humidity, and farm soil type. Although considered uncontrollable, even these may be modified in the field by appropriate management practices, i.e. irrigation or careful selection of the location on the farm for growing corn in the rotation. In the southern U.S., aflatoxin contamination of corn in the field is a chronic problem. In the South, first of all, insect populations are extremely large every year. Second, due to a warming trend drought is conducive to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin elaboration. Third, loose-husked hybrids are used in the South. When grown in the South, they accentuated insect damage and aflatoxin contamination. The development and breeding "southern-type" hybrids are essential for control preharvest aflatoxin contamination. Integration of crop management tactics and genetic strategies, conventional or molecular, will constrain the problem and help southern corn growers produce a quality, profitable crop.

Technical Abstract: Aflatoxin contamination of corn in the field is known to be influenced by numerous factors in the South. First of all, insect populations are extremely large every year. Second, due to a warming trend drought is conducive to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin elaboration. Third, loose-husked hybrids are used in the South. When grown in the South, they accentuated insect damage and aflatoxin contamination. The development and breeding "southern-type" hybrids are essential for control preharvest aflatoxin contamination. Molecular biotechnology could make a big impact on tackling the complexity of preharvest aflatoxin contamination of corn. Integration of crop management tactics and genetic strategies, conventional or molecular, will constrain the problem and help southern corn growers produce a quality, profitable crop.