Preharvest aflatoxin in maize genotypes under inoculation with Aspergillus flavus

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2009-05-15

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Pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination is a major limitation to maize production in Texas and the southern United States, causing major economic loss and severe health problems worldwide. Screening for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation is commonly conducted through inoculation with a highly concentrated solution of Aspergillus flavus FR: Link spores, a naturally occurring fungus which infects maize and produces a toxic metabolite (aflatoxin) to humans and animals consuming the grain. No commercial hybrids exist with full resistance to aflatoxin accumulation; however, sources exist to reduce susceptibility. These sources commonly lack good agronomic characteristics for use in commercial hybrids. Exotic germplasm with favorable traits for reduced aflatoxin accumulations are introgressed with temperate and locally adapted lines. This program utilizes only one isolate of A. flavus even though many isolates exist in the environment. The objectives of this thesis are i) to evaluate the progress of the Maize Breeding and Genetics Program?s accomplishments of breeding maize for the reduction in susceptibility of aflatoxin accumulation in yellow inbreds through analysis of hybrid and inbred per se trials and ii) to determine whether interaction exists between geneticallydifferent isolates of A. flavus and several genotypes of maize. Response to aflatoxin accumulation for hybrids and inbreds was measured at up to three environments across Texas. Significant differences were detected for most years and environments. Maize lines CML285, CML288, CML323, CML325, CML326, CML338, Tx601y and lines derived from Population 69 and from Tx772 crosses in hybrid combinations tended to accumulate less aflatoxin than commercial hybrid checks. Significant differences were detected at each environment aflatoxin accumulation was measured for inbred lines per se. Inbreds Tx772, Tx601y, CML289, CML294, CML323 and derived lines from Population 69 show reduced aflatoxin accumulations. Interaction between genetically different isolates of A. flavus and several genotypes of maize were not detected in hybrid or inbred trials at two or three environments, across locations and across years. Introgression of exotic germplasm into locally adapted germplasm has improved agronomic characteristics for use in the Southern U.S. and brought sources for decreased aflatoxin accumulation.

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