Author
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Desjardins, Anne |
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Plattner, Ronald |
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Submitted to: Corn Dry Milling Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 5/29/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Fumonisins can be found in most commercial maize, but the levels are generally quite low. Our previous work has shown that fumonisins are unevenly distributed in maize kernels. Most of the fumonisins in a maize ear (typically >90%) are found in visually unusual kernels that are cracked, damaged, chalky appearing, discolored, or obviously fungally infected. It is not yet known how maize becomes infected with Fusarium moniliforme or exactly what molecular events lead to fumonisin production in maize kernels. We are conducting research to evaluate the potential for biological control of fumonisins in maize through infection of the maize plant with rare strains of Fusarium moniliforme that are unable to make fumonisins when grown in the laboratory. We have infected maize plants with specific strains of Fusarium moniliforme that either produce altered fumonisin isomer distributions (no FB1 with either FB2 or FB3) or strains that cannot make fumonisins when grown in the laboratory. We saw no differences in disease symptoms between control plants and toothpick inoculated plants. When the same strains were injected into the emerging silks we observed considerable disease symptoms compared to control plants. Fumonisin profiles were altered in kernels from plants infected with strains that make predominantly FB2 or FB3 instead of FB1. No fumonisins were recovered in either symptomatic or asymptomatic kernels from plants infected with the strain of Fusarium moniliforme that was unable to produce fumonisins in the laboratory. Symptomatic kernels from plants infected with fumonisin producing strains had high fumonisin levels. |