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Postharvest Pathology and Mycotoxins

Fungal Associations in Corn Kernels and Effects on Germination. J. P. Rheeder, Research Institute for Nutritional Diseases, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa; W. F. O. Marasas(2), and P. S. Van Wyk(3). (2)Research Institute for Nutritional Diseases, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa; (3) Department of Plant Pathology, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa. Phytopathology 80:131-134. Accepted for publication 9 August 1989. Copyright 1990 The American Phytopathological Society.. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-80-131.

Fusarium moniliforme was negatively correlated with both F. graminearum and F. subglutinans in kernels in a 2-yr study of naturally infected kernels of 10 corn cultivars at eight locations in South Africa. Environmental effects accounted for these significant correlations. No significant correlations occurred in the incidence of pathogens within corn samples. The most significant associations were recorded by examining the mycology of individual kernels, the most prominent being negative between F. moniliforme and Diplodia maydis, but negative associations were also found between D. maydis and D. macrospora and between F. moniliforme and F. graminearum. This is the first report of a significant negative association between F. moniliforme and D. maydis. Seed germination was negatively associated with Diplodia spp., whereas there was relatively little influence on germination by Fusarium spp. and other fungi tested.