scholarly journals Evaluation of Food-Grade Dent Corn Hybrids for Severity of Fusarium Ear Rot and Fumonisin Accumulation in Grain

Plant Disease ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Kleinschmidt ◽  
M. J. Clements ◽  
C. M. Maragos ◽  
J. K. Pataky ◽  
D. G. White

Fumonisins produced by Fusarium verticillioides (syn = F. moniliforme) and F. proliferatum have been associated with potentially serious toxicoses of animals and humans. Thus, hybrids with low fumonisin accumulation in grain will be valuable for the production of corn-based human food products. We evaluated 68 food-grade dent corn hybrids for severity of Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin accumulation in grain in inoculated trials in Urbana, IL in 2000 and 2001. Our inoculation technique was successful in initiating fumonisin accumulation that allowed discrimination among hybrids. We identified several hybrids that could have acceptable levels (<4 μg/g) of fumonisin accumulation in Illinois in most years. Twenty-six hybrids with low or high fumonisin accumulation in 2000 were reevaluated in noninoculated trials at three locations in Illinois in 2001. Fumonisin concentration in grain at all three locations was relatively low; thus, separation of hybrids was poor. At two locations, those hybrids with the highest fumonisin concentration in grain also had high concentrations following inoculation. However, one hybrid that had relatively low fumonisin concentration following inoculation had unacceptable levels of fumonisin (5 μg/g) in natural conditions. Therefore, hybrids need to be evaluated by inoculation and further evaluated at locations where the environment favors fumonisin accumulation.

Plant Disease ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Clements ◽  
C. E. Kleinschmidt ◽  
C. M. Maragos ◽  
J. K. Pataky ◽  
D. G. White

Fumonisins have been associated with potentially serious toxicoses of animals and humans. Prior to initiating a corn (Zea mays) breeding program for resistance to these mycotoxins, an efficient inoculation technique must be developed. Four inoculation techniques were evaluated on 14 commercial corn hybrids in Urbana, IL in 1999 and 2000. The techniques were: injection of inoculum through the ear husk leaves at R2 (blister); silks sprayed with inoculum at R2 and covered with a shoot bag until harvest; silks sprayed with inoculum at R2, covered with a shoot bag, reinoculated 1 week thereafter, and covered with a shoot bag until harvest; and insertion of six Fusarium-colonized toothpicks into the silk channel at R2. Only injection of inoculum through the husk leaves significantly increased the concentration of fumonisin in grain and severity of Fusarium ear rot compared with a control. This technique effectively differentiated hybrids previously identified as resistant or susceptible to Fusarium ear rot. The rank order of hybrids inoculated with this technique did not significantly change in the 2 years of this study. This technique is suitable for efficiently evaluating a large number of corn genotypes for resistance to Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin concentration.


Author(s):  
Laura ȘOPTEREAN ◽  
Loredana SUCIU ◽  
Ana Maria VĂLEAN ◽  
Felicia MUREŞANU ◽  
Carmen PUIA

The most important disease of maize in Romania are stalk and ear rot, which caused yield losses in average of 20%. The resistant hibrids represent one of the most efficient solution for reducing the field loses caused by Fusarium spp. on the maize (Nagy et al., 2006). Diseases caused by Fusarium spp. can affect the yield and grain quality of maize because of contamination with numerous mycotoxins produced by these fungi (Czembor et al., 2015). The purpose of this paper was to know more about the reaction of different maize hybrids to Fusarium and the evaluating the effect of ear rot on the yield ability and mycotoxins accumulation. The experiments carried out at ARDS Turda, during four years (2012-2015). The biological material was represented by 8 hybrids, from different maturity groups, tested in two infection conditions with Fusarium spp. (natural and artificial infections). The temperature and rainfalls of the four years of experiments corresponding to the vegetation of maize (april-september) are influenced favourably the pathogenesis of stalk and ear rot caused by Fusarium spp. and a good discrimination of the resistance reaction of genotypes. Fusarium ear rot has significantly affected production capacity and chemical composition of corn hybrids tested. In conditions of artificial infection with Fusarium spp. was a decrease in the content of starch, fat and increased protein content compared with artificially inoculated variants. The quantity of fumonizin B1+B2 has reached to 5630 μg/kg in conditions of artificial infection. There are negative correlations between production capacity and degree of attack of fusarium ear rot; depending on the reacting genotypes tested increasing disease causes production decrease. The response of maize hybrids to Fusarium infection is influenced by infection and climatic conditions. These factors affect production both in terms of quantity and quality and accumulation of mycotoxins.


Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oelton Ferreira Rosa Junior ◽  
Mateus Sunti Dalcin ◽  
Vitor L. Nascimento ◽  
Fernando Machado Haesbaert ◽  
Talita Pereira de Souza Ferreira ◽  
...  

Fumonisins are mycotoxins (MTs) produced mainly by the fungus Fusarium verticillioides, the main pathogens of maize which cause ear rot. The aim of this work was to evaluate some factors that may lead to high fumonisin production by F. verticillioides in maize grains, correlating the pathogen inoculation method with different genotypes grown in four Brazilian states. Experiments were conducted in 2015–2016 in maize crops from experimental maize fields located in four distinct states of Brazil. Results showed that contamination by fumonisin mycotoxins occurred even on symptomatic or asymptomatic grains. In all municipalities, the samples showed levels of fumonisin B1 that were higher than would be tolerable for the human consumption of corn products (the current tolerance limit for fumonisin is 1.5 μg g−1). High severity of grains infected with F. verticillioides does not always show high concentrations of fumonisins. Environments with higher temperatures may influence the production of high concentrations of fumonisin in maize hybrids. Spray inoculation methods and inoculation at the center of spikes did not influence fumonisin concentrations. Results showed that the hybrids P3630H, P32R48 and P3250 presented higher disease severity, as well as higher mycotoxin levels in the studied locations with higher temperatures.


Author(s):  
Yong-Soon Park ◽  
Eli J Borrego ◽  
Xiquan Gao ◽  
Shawn A Christensen ◽  
Eric Schmelz ◽  
...  

Seed maceration and contamination with mycotoxin fumonisin inflicted by Fusarium verticillioides is major disease of concern for maize producers world-wide. Meta-analyses of QTL for Fusarium ear rot resistance uncovered several ethylene (ET) biosynthesis and signaling genes within them, implicating ET in maize interactions with F. verticillioides. We tested this hypothesis using maize knock-out mutants of the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthases, ZmACS2 and ZmACS6. Infected wild-type seed emitted five-fold higher ET levels compared to controls, whereas ET was abolished in the acs2 and acs6 single and double mutants. The mutants supported reduced fungal biomass, conidia and fumonisin content. Normal susceptibility was restored in the acs6 mutant with exogenous treatment of ET precursor, ACC. Subsequently, we showed that fungal G-protein signaling is required for virulence via induction of maize-produced ET. F. verticillioides Gβ subunit and two regulators of G-protein signaling mutants displayed reduced seed colonization and decreased ET levels. These defects were rescued by exogenous application of ACC. We concluded that pathogen-induced ET facilitates F. verticillioides colonization of seed, and in turn host ET production is manipulated via G-protein signaling of F. verticillioides to facilitate pathogenesis.


Plant Disease ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 104 (6) ◽  
pp. 1725-1735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zifeng Guo ◽  
Cheng Zou ◽  
Xiaogang Liu ◽  
Shanhong Wang ◽  
Wen-Xue Li ◽  
...  

Fusarium ear rot (FER) caused by Fusarium verticillioides is one of the most prevalent maize diseases in China and worldwide. Resistance to FER is a complex trait controlled by multiple genes highly affected by environment. In this paper, genome-wide association study (GWAS), bulked sample analysis (BSA), and genomic prediction were performed for understanding FER resistance using 509 diverse inbred lines, which were genotyped by 37,801 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Ear rot evaluation was performed using artificial inoculation in four environments in China: Xinxiang, Henan, and Shunyi, Beijing, during 2017 and 2018. Significant phenotypic and genetic variation for FER severity was observed, and FER resistance was significantly correlated among the four environments with a generalized heritability of 0.78. GWAS identified 23 SNPs that were associated with FER resistance, 2 of which (1_226233417 on chromosome 1 and 10_14501044 on chromosome 10) were associated at threshold of 2.65 × 10−7 [−log(0.01/37,801)]. Using BSA, resistance quantitative trait loci were identified on chromosomes 3, 4, 7, 9, and 10 at the 90% confidence level and on chromosomes 3 and 10 at the 95% confidence level. A key region, bin 10.03, was detected by both GWAS and BSA. Genomic prediction for FER resistance showed that the prediction accuracy by trait-related markers was higher than that by randomly selected markers under different levels of marker density. Marker-assisted selection using genomic prediction could be an efficient strategy for genetic improvement for complex traits like FER resistance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (17-18) ◽  
pp. 939-950
Author(s):  
Olumayowa Mary Olowe ◽  
Ayodele Adegboyega Sobowale ◽  
Odunayo Joseph Olawuyi ◽  
Adegboyega Christopher Odebode

2020 ◽  
Vol 116 (11/12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryke Craven ◽  
Liesl Morey ◽  
Liesl Morey ◽  
Adrian Abrahams ◽  
Henry A. Njom ◽  
...  

Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) caused by Exserohilum turcicum and Fusarium ear rot caused by Fusarium verticillioides, are economically important maize diseases in South Africa. The effect of induced plant stress by NCLB on F. verticillioides ear rot and fumonisin production is unknown. Four field trials were conducted during 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 (November and December planting dates) at the Agricultural Research Council – Grain Crops in Potchefstroom (South Africa). Three maize cultivars with varying resistance levels to NCLB were selected (IMP50-10B – susceptible, BG3292 – moderately susceptible, DKC 61-94BR – resistant). NCLB severities were created through eight treatments: TMT1 – maximum control (three fungicide applications); TMT2 – standard control (two fungicide applications) and TMT3 – natural control (not inoculated or sprayed). The remaining treatments were inoculated with a cocktail of five NCLB races (Race 3, 3N, 23, 23N and 13N): TMT4 (five weeks after planting / WAP); TMT5 (five and six WAP); TMT6 (five, six and seven WAP); TMT7 (six and seven WAP); and TMT8 (seven WAP). Maize ears were naturally infected with F. verticillioides. Fifteen random plants were labelled at dent stage and NCLB severity (%), area under the disease progress curve, ear rot diseased area, ear rot severity (%), ear rot incidence (%) and total fumonisins (FB1+FB2+FB3; ug/kg) were established. Low levels of cob rot severity and fumonisins were obtained in all four trials. NCLB severity did not affect ear rot related parameters measured. Mean fumonisin levels were below the South African tolerance levels. Fumonisin concentrations differed significantly between cultivars but was not affected by NCLB severity or the cultivar x treatment interaction.


Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Morales ◽  
Charles T. Zila ◽  
Danilo E. Moreta Mejía ◽  
Melissa Montoya Arbelaez ◽  
Peter J. Balint-Kurti ◽  
...  

The fungus Fusarium verticillioides can infect maize ears, causing Fusarium ear rot (FER) and contaminating the grain with fumonisins (FUM), which are harmful to humans and animals. Breeding for resistance to FER and FUM and post-harvest sorting of grain are two strategies for reducing FUM in the food system. Kernel and cob tissues have been previously associated with differential FER and FUM. Four recombinant inbred line families from the maize nested associated mapping population were grown and inoculated with F. verticillioides across four environments, and we evaluated the kernels for external and internal infection severity as well as FUM contamination. We also employed publicly available phenotypes on innate ear morphology to explore genetic relationships between ear architecture and resistance to FER and FUM. The four families revealed wide variation in external symptomatology at the phenotypic level. Kernel bulk density under inoculation was an accurate indicator of FUM levels. Genotypes with lower kernel density—under both inoculated and uninoculated conditions—and larger cobs were more susceptible to infection and FUM contamination. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) intervals could be classified as putatively resistance-specific and putatively shared for ear and resistance traits. Both types of QTL mapped in this study had substantial overlap with previously reported loci for resistance to FER and FUM. Ear morphology may be a component of resistance to F. verticillioides infection and FUM accumulation.


Plant Disease ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Afolabi ◽  
P. S. Ojiambo ◽  
E. J. A. Ekpo ◽  
A. Menkir ◽  
R. Bandyopadhyay

Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin contamination is a major problem facing maize growers worldwide, and host resistance is the most effective strategy to control the disease, but resistant genotypes have not been identified. In 2003, a total of 103 maize inbred lines were evaluated for Fusarium ear rot caused by Fusarium verticillioides in field trials in Ikenne and Ibadan, Nigeria. Disease was initiated from natural infection in the Ikenne trial and from artificial inoculation in the Ibadan trial. Ear rot severity ranged from 1.0 to 6.0 in both locations in 2003. Fifty-two inbred lines with disease severity ≤3 (i.e., ≤ 10% visible symptoms on ears) were selected and reevaluated in 2004 for ear rot resistance, incidence of discolored kernels, and fumonisin contamination in grain. At both locations, ear rot severity on the selected lines was significantly (P < 0.0020) higher in 2004 than in 2003. The effects of selected inbred lines on disease severity were highly significant at Ikenne (P = 0.0072) and Ibadan (P < 0.0001) in 2004. Inbred lines did not affect incidence of discolored kernels at both locations and across years except at Ikenne (P = 0.0002) in 2004. Similarly, significant effects of inbred lines on fumonisin concentration were observed only at Ikenne (P = 0.0201) in 2004. However, inbred lines 02C14585, 02C14593, 02C14603, 02C14606, 02C14624, and 02C14683 had consistently low disease severity across years and locations. Fumonisin concentration was significantly correlated with ear rot only at Ikenne (R = 0.42, P < 0.0001). Correlation between fumonisin concentration and incidence of discolored kernels was also significant at Ikenne (R = 0.39, P < 0.0001) and Ibadan (R = 0.35, P = 0.0007). At both locations, no significant inbred × year interaction was observed for fumonisin concentration. Five inbred lines, namely 02C14585, 02C14603, 02C14606, 02C14624, and 02C14683, consistently had the lowest fumonisin concentration in both trials. Two of these inbred lines, 02C14624 and 02C14585, had fumonisin levels <5.0 μg/g across years in trials where disease was initiated from both natural infection and artificial inoculation. These lines that had consistently low disease severity are useful for breeding programs to develop fumonisin resistant lines.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document