Evaluation of Corn Genotypes for Resistance to Aspergillus Ear Rot, Kernel Infection, and Aflatoxin Production. K. W. Campbell, Former Graduate Student, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Illinois, Urbana, 61801. D. G. White, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Illinois, Urbana, 61801. Plant Dis. 79:1039-1045. Accepted for publication 19 July 1995. Copyright 1995 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-79-1039.

Resistance of corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids and inbreds to ear rot, kernel infection, and aflatoxin contamination caused by Aspergillus flavus was evaluated following inoculation. Thirty-five F1 hybrids from crosses of selected inbreds with the susceptible inbreds B73 and/or Mo 17 were evaluated for 3 years in Illinois. Fifteen of the F1 hybrids also were evaluated in Mississippi. Resistant and susceptible inbreds per se also were evaluated for 2 years in Illinois. Inbreds Tex6, Y7, and Mp420, and the F1 hybrids with these inbreds, consistently had the greatest resistance to Aspergillus ear rot, kernel infection, and aflatoxin production in the Illinois environment. Grain of the F1 hybrids with these inbreds also had less aflatoxin in Mississippi. Pearson and Spearman rank correlation coefficients indicated that Aspergillus ear rot ratings provided a more accurate estimate of aflatoxin contamination of grain than did kernel infection. From evaluations of the F1 hybrids and the inbred parents per se, inbreds were identified that may contain alleles for resistance not found in B73 and/or Mo 17.

Keyword(s): mycotoxin