FUNGAL COLONIZATION OF CORN GROWN IN NEBRASKA IN RELATION TO YEAR, GENOTYPE AND GROWING CONDITIONS

Kernels of several corn hybrids, grown in test plots and harvested in 1990 and 1991, were assayed for internal fungal infection on DG18 and CZID agars. Acremonium spp. and Fusarium spp. were the predominant fungi isolated from the kernels. Fusarium moniliforme was the Fusarium spp. most frequently detected (nearly 80% of isolates), followed by Fusarium proliferatum (c.a. 15% of isolates). Fusarium subglutinans, Fusarium gaminearum and other Fusarium spp. showed very low frequencies of isolation. Corn harvested in 1990 and analyzed after 1-year storage showed higher infection by Fusarium spp. than corn collected in 1991. The incidence of Acremonium spp. and Fusarium spp. differed significantly (p<0.01) among corn hybrids, and consistently higher kernel colonization by Fusarium spp. occurred in com hybrids planted in dry-land plots.