Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
 
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
 

Research Project: ENHANCING CORN WITH RESISTANCE TO AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION AND INSECT DAMAGE

Location: Corn Host Plant Resistance Research

Title: Evaluation of maize germplasm for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation

Authors

Submitted to: Agronomy
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 7, 2012
Publication Date: March 1, 2012
Citation: Henry, W.B., Windham, G.L., Blanco, M.H. 2012. Evaluation of maize germplasm for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation. Agronomy. 2:28-39.

Interpretive Summary: Aflatoxin is a toxic compound produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus that grows on corn. Corn grain contaminated with aflatoxin has serious health consequences for people or animals that eat it. Most corn varieties are susceptible to aflatoxin accumulation in the grain. This experiment was conducted to identify new sources of corn germplasm with resistance to aflatoxin accumulation. Corn inbreds and crosses were screened for resistance. KO679Y, a corn inbred, performed well in multiple evaluations, both as an inbred and in crosses with previously identified sources of resistance. A cross developed from a Cuba line also had low aflatoxin in two years of field trials. These new sources of resistance may be useful for breeders looking to reduce aflatoxin and ear rot in corn grain.

Technical Abstract: Aflatoxin contamination of maize grain threatens human food and animal feed safety. Breeding for reduced grain aflatoxin accumulation is one of the best strategies presently available to lower grain aflatoxin accumulation. Previously identified sources of germplasm with reduced grain aflatoxin accumulation are excessively tall and late maturing. The objective of this research was to screen germplasm and identify potential sources of aflatoxin resistance. KO679Y and CUBA117:S15-101-001-B-B-B-B inbreds were evaluated for aflatoxin accumulation alongside resistant and susceptible checks with both performing well. These two lines were also evaluated in various crosses. KO679Y performed especially well in crosses with Mp494 and Mp717, resulting in low ear rot and very low aflatoxin levels but not well in other crosses. A breeding cross including CUBA117:S15-101-001-B-B-B-B as a parent accumulated low levels of aflatoxin both years it was evaluated. Lines resulting from these crosses are being advanced for further evaluation and improvement. KO679Y and CUBA117:S15-101-001-B-B-B-B may prove useful for breeders seeking germplasm sources for ear rot and mycotoxin reduction, especially KO679Y which matures a week earlier and is approximately 25% shorter than current lines resistant to grain aflatoxin accumulation.

   

 
Project Team
Williams, William
Warburton, Marilyn
Windham, Gary
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Food Safety, (animal and plant products) (108)
  Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement (301)
 
Related Projects
   BREEDING CORN FOR STRESS TOLERANCE TO REDUCE AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION
   Breeding Corn for Resistance to Aspergillus Flavus Infection and Aflatoxin Accumulation
   IDENTIFICATION OF GENES ASSOCIATED WITH RESISTANCE TO ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS INFECTION AND AFLATOXIN ACCUMULATION IN MAIZE
   NEW STATISTICAL TOOLS TO STUDY AFLATOXIN GENETIC RESISTANCE IN MAIZE
   AFLATOXIN GENETIC RESISTANCE IN MAIZE
   Breeding and Testing for Aflatoxin Resistance
   Breeding and Mapping of Aflatoxin Genetic Resistance in Maize
 
 
Last Modified: 05/22/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House