Comparison of Two Inoculation Methods for Evaluating Maize for Resistance to Aspergillus flavus Infection and Aflatoxin Accumulation

Williams, W.P. and Alpe, M.N. and Windham, G.L. and et al, . (2013) Comparison of Two Inoculation Methods for Evaluating Maize for Resistance to Aspergillus flavus Infection and Aflatoxin Accumulation. International Journal of Agronomy. pp. 1-6.

PDF - Accepted Version Restricted to ICRISAT researchers only

Abstract

Aflatoxin, the most potent carcinogen found in nature, is produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus and occurs naturally in maize, Zea mays L. Growing maize hybrids with genetic resistance to aflatoxin contamination are generally considered a highly desirable way to reduce losses to aflatoxin. Developing resistant hybrids requires reliable inoculation methods for screening maize germplasm for resistance to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin accumulation. The side-needle technique is a widely used inoculation technique: an A. flavus conidial suspension is injected underneath the husks into the side of the ear. This wounds the ear and limits expression of resistance associated with husk coverage, pericarp thickness, and seed coat integrity. In this investigation, the side-needle technique was compared with a second inoculation method that involved dispensing wheat kernels infected with A. flavus into plant whorls at 35 and 49 days after planting. Results showed that although the side-needle technique produced higher levels of aflatoxin accumulation, differences in A. flavus biomass produced by the two inoculation techniques were not significant. Both inoculation techniques were effective in differentiating resistant and susceptible single cross hybrids irrespective of the use of A. flavus infection or aflatoxin accumulation as a basis to define resistance

Item Type:	Article
Author Affiliation:	USDA-ARS Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit, P.O. Box 9555, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
Subjects:	Plant Protection Crop Improvement
Divisions:	Maize
Depositing User:	Mr T L Gautham
Date Deposited:	09 Feb 2014 13:54
Last Modified:	09 Feb 2014 13:54
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/972316
URI:	http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/12501

Actions (login required)

View Item