Abstract

Plant and soil insects and soil samples were obtained from test plots of 1978 corn (Zea mays L.) during crop maturation in Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. From 871 samples, 205 visually identified Aspergillus isolates were obtained and examined by utilization of the Aspergillus differential medium (ADM) technique; approximately one-third of the preliminary isolates were ADM positive. The A. flavus group isolates were tested for aflatoxin production during development on rice (Oryza sativa L.); about one-half were toxin producers. Aspergillus parasiticus Speare was observed only in soil and soil insects, whereas Aspergillus flavus Link ex. Fr. was also detected in plant insects. No specific corn maturity or environmental factor was associated with occurrence of aflatoxin-producing fungal isolates. Although both toxin-positive species were observed in the test plots at the Georgia location, only the A. flavus toxins (B¹, B₂) were detected in mature corn kernels from the location.

Copyright © . .