Hybrid, plant population, and nitrogen treatment: impact on preharvest fumonisin contamination in corn (Zea mays)

Authors: SINHA, NAMITA - Mississippi State University; Jeffers, Daniel; SHARMA, RAMANDEEP - Mississippi State University; BHEEMANAHALLI, RAJU - Mississippi State University; REED, VAUGHN - Mississippi State University; HENRY, W. BRIEN - Mississippi State University; Babiker, Ebrahiem; WILLIAMS, DYLAN - Mississippi State University; DHILLON, JAGMAN - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/26/2025
Publication Date: 12/14/2025
Citation: Sinha, N., Jeffers, D., Sharma, R., Bheemanahalli, R., Reed, V., Henry, W., Babiker, E.M., Williams, D., Dhillon, J. 2025. Hybrid, plant population, and nitrogen treatment: impact on preharvest fumonisin contamination in corn (Zea mays). Crop Science. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70200.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70200

Interpretive Summary: Fumonisin, a mycotoxin produced by the fungal pathogen, Fusarium verticillioides is prevalent in various cereal crops including corn. While there are several post-harvest mitigation strategies to reduce fumonisin, there are limited studies testing pre-harvest strategies. Therefore, field studies were conducted at two locations in Mississippi to examine the impact of agronomic practices in mitigating fumonisin accumulation in corn. In this experiment we used different nitrogen rates (0, 112, 224, and 336 kg N ha-1) and different plant populations (75,000, 87,500, 100,000 and 112,500 plants ha-1) and two corn hybrids (H) with and without Bt traits (DKC70-27 and 70-25, respectively). Ten ears per plot were inoculated with two isolates of Fusarium verticillioides for subsequent postharvest fumonisin quantification. In summary, this study identified that the best preharvest strategy to mitigate fumonisin includes selecting hybrid with Bt traits, maintaining a planting density between 75,000 to 87,500 plants ha-1, and applying at least 112 kg N ha-1.

Technical Abstract: Fumonisin, a mycotoxin produced by the fungal pathogen, Fusarium verticillioides is widespread in corn (Zea mays L.), especially in the Southeastern US. While there are several post-harvest mitigation strategies to reduce fumonisin, there are limited studies testing pre-harvest strategies. Therefore, field studies were conducted at two locations in Mississippi (MS) to examine the impact of agronomic practices in mitigating fumonisin accumulation in corn. The experiment was set up in a split plot design, with nitrogen (N) (0, 112, 224, and 336 kg N ha-1) as main plot factor, and combination of plant populations (PP) (75,000, 87,500, 100,000 and 112,500 plants ha-1) and corn hybrids (H) with and without Bt traits (DKC70-27 and 70-25, respectively) as subplot factor. Ten ears per plot were inoculated with two isolates of Fusarium verticillioides for subsequent postharvest fumonisin quantification. In 2024, fumonisin accumulation was significantly influenced by N × PP × H interaction (p<0.01) in Brooksville, and PP × H interaction (p<0.05) in Starkville. Whereas in 2023, only main treatments affected fumonisin accumulation in Starkville (p<0.01). Overall, Bt hybrid showed significantly lower ear rot severity and fumonisin accumulation. Moreover, fumonisin accumulation decreased with an N rate of 112 kg N ha-1, without any noticeable differences at higher N rates. In summary, this study identified that the best preharvest strategy to mitigate fumonisin includes selecting hybrid with Bt traits, maintaining a planting density between 75,000 to 87,500 plants ha-1, and applying at least 112 kg N ha-1.