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Postharvest Pathology and Mycotoxins

Effect of Physical Damage to Corn Kernels on the Development of Penicillium species and Aspergillus glaucus in Storage. J. Tuite, Professor, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907; C. Koh-Knox(2), R. Stroshine(3), F. A. Cantone(4), and L. F. Bauman(5). (2)Technician, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907; (3)Assistant professor, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907; (4)Graduate student, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907; (5)Professor, Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Phytopathology 75:1137-1140. Accepted for publication 28 May 1985. Copyright 1985 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-75-1137.

Three tests were used to evaluate the relationship between resistance to storage molds and damage to corn kernels of different genotypes. Seed germination, visible mold, number of fungal propagules, and ergosterol content were similar in undamaged and crown-damaged kernels inoculated with three species of the Aspergillus glaucus group. Cutting the pericarp over the embryo and, to a lesser extent, removing the pedicel significantly increased mold development and reduced germination, but the genotypes were affected differently. Kernels of two susceptible and two resistant genotypes inoculated with three Penicillium species maintained their differential responses whether undamaged or damaged with an abgerminal cut. Excising the pedicel, cutting the pericarp over the embryo, or puncturing the embryo, respectively, resulted in increasing amounts of propagule development by Penicillium and decreased seed germination. Despite the enhancement of mold development by seed damage, the resistant genotypes were more resistant than the susceptible genotypes. This differential response was confirmed in a second test with Penicillium spp. in which the pedicel was excised or the hilum was pierced. The rankings of stored ground kernels, as determined by numbers of propagules of Penicillium, differed from the rankings of stored whole kernels.