EVALUATION OF CORN GENOTYPES FOR RESISTANCE TO ASPERGILLUS EAR ROT, KERNEL INFECTION, AND AFLATOXIN PRODUCTION

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 F-1 hybrids from crosses of selected inbreds with the susceptible inbreds B73 and/or Mo17 were evaluated for 3 years in Illinois. Fifteen of the F-1 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 F-1 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 F-1 hybrids with these inbreds also had less aflatoxin in Mississippi. Pearson and Spearman rank correlation coefficients indicated that Aspergillus ear for ratings provided a more accurate estimate of aflatoxin contamination of grain than did kernel infection. From evaluations of the F-1 hybrids and the inbred parents per se, inbreds were identified that may contain alleles for resistance not found in B73 and/or Mo17.