FUNGAL SPECIES COMPOSITION AND ABUNDANCE ON STORED CORN AS INFLUENCEDBY SEVERAL MANAGEMENT-PRACTICES AND MAIZE WEEVIL (COLEOPTERA, CURCULIONIDAE)

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of several managem ent tactics and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (maize weevil) on funga l species composition and abundance on stored corn (maize). The most a bundant fungi isolated from Pioneer hybrids 3378 and 3320 were Fusariu m sp., Penicillium spp., Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus glaucus and A, flav us. High temperature (36 degrees C) inhibited the growth of Fusarium s p., Penicillium spp., Rhizopus sp. and A. flavus, while the growth of A. glaucus increased. Low initial kernel moisture content (9.7%) appea red to inhibit the growth of some fungi (Fusarium sp. and A. glaucus) while the growth of others (Penicillium spp. and A. flavus) increased. Surface disinfection with bleach reduced populations of Penicillium, Rhizopus, A. glaucus and A. flavus, while permitting an increase of Fu sarium. Biotic factors also exert considerable control over fungal pop ulations. Hybrid selection affected all major species except Fusarium. The mere introduction of maize weevils, even when killed within 24 h by malathion, increased the abundance of Penicillium spp. and A. glauc us.