Moisture Content, Invasion by Aspergillus glaucus, and Germ Discoloration in Blends of Corn of Different Initial Moisture Contents. C. M. Christensen, Regents’ Professor Emeritus, Extension, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108. R. A. Meronuck, and D. B. Sauer. Professor, Extension, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, and USDA Grain Marketing Research Laboratory, Manhattan, KS 66502. Plant Dis. 74:985-988. Accepted for publication 31 May 1990. Copyright 1990 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-74-0985.

Equal amounts of yellow dent corn (Zea mays) of different moisture contents were mixed to achieve blends of initial moisture contents from 13.5 to 15.7%, then stored at 25 C. Equilibrium moisture contents were reached in a few days. When both components of the blend were initially low in storage fungi, subsequent invasion of the germs of the kernels by Aspergillus glaucus group species was not greater than would be expected in nonblended lots of the same moisture content. When the high-moisture component had been invaded by A. glaucus before the components were blended, subsequent invasion of the germs of the initially sound portion and germ discoloration in both components increased faster than when both components were initially sound. In all blends, even that with an initial moisture content of 13.5%, both invasion by A. glaucus and moisture content of the corn increased with time.