A reliable field-inoculation method for identifying aflatoxin-resistant maize

Citation
Yd. Zhang et al., A reliable field-inoculation method for identifying aflatoxin-resistant maize, CEREAL RES, 26(3), 1998, pp. 245-251
Citations number
17
Categorie Soggetti
Agriculture/Agronomy
Journal title
CEREAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
ISSN journal
01333720 → ACNP
Volume
26
Issue
3
Year of publication
1998
Pages
245 - 251
Database
ISI
SICI code
0133-3720(1998)26:3<245:ARFMFI>2.0.ZU;2-P
Abstract
Anatoxin accumulation in maize (Zea mays L.), caused by Aspergillus flavus, is a serious and chronic problem in the southeastern United States. Identi fication and development of resistant germplasm are crucial for developing anatoxin-resistant hybrids. However, a lack of a reliable field-inoculation method is a significant impediment to maize breeders' success. Previously available inoculation methods resulted in extremely high coefficients of va riation for anatoxin. We evaluated four non-injury inoculation methods at f ive inoculation dates for studying concentration of anatoxin in contaminate d maize kernels. Needle-in-silk channel (NSC) method involved injection of A. flavus conidial suspension into an ear through silk channel with a syrin ge; toothpick-in-silk channel (TSC) involved insertion of a Czapek medium-c overed, conidia-laden toothpick in silk channel of an ear; toothpick-under- husk (TUH) was similar to TSC, except that Czapek-covered, conidia-laden to othpick was placed on the surface of kernels by making an incision in the h usk in the middle of an ear; and bag inoculation (BAG) involved placement o n an ear of an inoculation bag (a shoot bag) at the bottom of which was pla ced 5 mt Czapek medium that was covered with A. flavus conidia. The toothpi ck-under-husk inoculation method was judged most reliable for evaluating an atoxin concentration differences, as indicated by a substantially reduced c oefficient of variation (CV = 20.6%).