ARS | Publication request: ADVANCES IN INSECT-ORIENTED IPM OF MYCOTOXIGENIC FUNGI IN CORN

Submitted to: Aflatoxin Elimination Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 27, 1998
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Total fumonisin levels in ears sampled in 1997 from 1- to 2-acre fields near Kilbourne, IL, of hybrids NK6800Bt and Pioneer 33VO8 were substantially reduced compared to corresponding nonBt hybrids (1.4 vs. 0.049 ppm and 1.1 vs. 0.028 ppm, respectively). These hybrids expressed the Bt gene at high levels throughout the plant (including ears and silks), and showed negligible caterpillar damage in 1997. In 1998, caterpillar damage was more significant on the same Bt hybrids due to the presence of corn earworms (which are less affected by the Bt protein); mycotoxin analyses are pending. Tobacco and tomato transformants expressing high levels of tobacco anionic peroxidase showed significantly enhanced resistance to tobacco hornworm larvae, as was previously noted for corn earworms. Some initial transformants of corn expressing tobacco anionic peroxidase killed 100% of European corn borers and corn earworms and significantly reduced growth rates of fall armyworms. Modified sap beetle traps produced commercially were used to more rapidly estimate sap beetle populations in an experimental sweet corn field compared to conventional scouting techniques. A predictive program for determination of aflatoxin and fumonisin levels in the Midwest has been written. Beauveria bassiana released from autoinoculators attractive to sap beetles was reisolated at high levels (up to 100%) from some sap beetles captured in overwintering traps.