Incidence and Distribution of Airborne Spores of Aspergillus flavus in Missouri. Mark G. Holtmeyer, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211. Jack R. Wallin, Research Plant Pathologist, AR, SEA, USDA, and Department of Plant Pathology, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211. Plant Dis. 65:58-60. Copyright 1981 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-65-58.

Airborne spores of Aspergillus flavus, a fungus that may produce aflatoxin, were collected with three air samplers at several sites near cornfields in Missouri during 1976–1978. “Decapped” corn kernels and Aspergillus differential medium (ADM) were used to detect A. flavus spores. The percentage of days on which spores were collected at each site differed from year to year but was never below 17%. In 1976 and 1977, spores were caught on the highest percentage of days at opposite ends of the state (northwest and southeast Missouri). ADM was more efficient than decapped kernels for detecting and estimating the concentration of airborne A. flavus spores.