ARS | Publication request: EVALUATION OF WHITE FOOD-GRADE DENT CORN HYBRIDS FOR FUSARIUM EAR ROT AND FUMONISIN CONCENTRATION

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 13, 2003
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Fusarium ear rot of corn caused by Fusarium verticillioides (syn. = F. moniliforme) and F. proliferatum is of concern due to the production of fumonisin mycotoxins. In 2002, 30 commercial white and 3 yellow food-grade dent corn hybrids were evaluated for Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin concentration in grain. Ears were inoculated by injecting a spore suspension down the silk channel and into the side of the ear one and two weeks after pollination. A competitive direct ELISA was used to determine fumonisin concentration. Hybrids differed significantly for both fumonisin concentration and Fusarium ear rot (P < 0.0001). Spearman's rank correlation for fumonisin concentration and Fusarium ear rot was r = 0.54 (P = 0.0009). Fumonisin concentration, of individual hybrids averaged over replications, ranged from 4.7 to 59.6 ppm. White and yellow food-grade dent corn hybrids had an average fumonisin concentration of 23.6 and 19 ppm respectively. Both the white and yellow food-grade dent corn hybrids had an average of 6% of the ear rotted.