ARS | Publication request: EFFECT OF POLLEN GENOTYPE ON ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS INFECTION AND AFLATOXIN ACCUMULATION IN MAIZE

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 13, 2003
Publication Date: October 13, 2003
Citation: Alpe, M., Williams, W.P., Windham, G.L. 2003. Effect of pollen genotype on Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin accumulation in maize [abstract]. 16th Annual Aflatoxin Elimination Workshop Proceedings. p. 67.

Technical Abstract: Aflatoxin contamination is a major impediment to profitable maize production in the South. Planting maize hybrids with genetic resistance to aflatoxin accumulation is widely considered a desirable way to reduce or eliminate contamination of grain. Germplasm lines with resistance to aflatoxin accumulation have been developed and released and are being used in both public and commercial breeding programs. This investigation was undertaken to compare the effects on aflatoxin contamination of grain when hybrids were pollinated with pollen from genotypes with varying degrees of resistance to aflatoxin accumulation. Five hybrids were evaluated for aflatoxin contamination after being allowed to open pollinate and also provided pollen for pollinating two commercial maize hybrids. Ears were inoculated 14 days after pollination with an A. flavus spore suspension using the side needle technique. When open pollinated, the hybrids varied widely in level of contamination; the single cross hybrid, Mp313E x Mp715, exhibited the lowest levels of aflatoxin contamination (23 ng/g). Aflatoxin contamination was highest for Silver Queen, a sweet maize hybrid (3253 ng/g), and TV 2100 (2619 ng/g). When two commercial hybrids were hand pollinated with pollen from five hybrids, those pollinated with pollen of the resistant hybrid, Mp313E x Mp715, exhibited the highest level of contamination (748 ng/g). The mean aflatoxin level for the other hybrids when used as pollen donors was lower (415 ng/g), and levels of contamination did not differ among hybrids. These results indicate that although the source of pollen may affect aflatoxin contamination, the primary factors imparting resistance are most likely controlled by the genotype of the ear-bearing plant.