VIEW ARTICLE

Techniques

Effect of Four Inoculation Techniques on Infection and Aflatoxin Concentration of Resistant and Susceptible Corn Hybrids Inoculated with Aspergillus flavus. D. H. Tucker, Jr., Graduate research assistant, Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Science, Mississippi State University; L. E. Trevathan(2), S. B. King(3), and G. E. Scott(4). (2)Associate professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Science, Mississippi State University; (3)(4)Research plant pathologist and research agronomist, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mississippi State 39762. Phytopathology 76:290-293. Accepted for publication 1 October 1985. Copyright 1986 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-76-290.

Aflatoxin concentration of kernels of field-grown corn hybrids was determined after using four inoculation techniques to inoculate the ears with Aspergillus flavus. In addition, bright greenish-yellow fluorescence, visible growth of A. flavus on kernels, insect damage to ears, and kernel colonization by A. flavus were determined and evaluated as predictive estimates of aflatoxin concentration. Total aflatoxin concentration of hybrids was higher in kernels that received pinbar, knife, and exposed-kernel inoculations than in silk-inoculated or uninoculated kernels. Only the pinbar technique permitted complete separation of hybrids into groups based on the relative susceptibility to kernels infection by A. flavus. Percentage of kernels containing A. flavus was significantly correlated with total aflatoxin concentration. Thus, measurement of kernel infection frequency appears to be a valid predictive estimate for aflatoxin concentration in corn.