AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES, ECOLOGICAL AND VARIETAL EFFECTS ON AFLATOXINS AND OTHER MYCOTOXINS IN CORN

Optimize agronomic systems and environmental practices, including fertilization and rotation that minimize inoculum potential of Aspergillus flavus and other mycotoxin-producing fungi while maximizing corn yield and profits in the Mid-south USA. Gain an understanding of the role of crop management practices on the ecology of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin contamination in order to optimize the application of competitive exclusion products. Develop economical biologically-based strategies, including antagonists from soil fungi and bacteria, microbial competitors and antagonists, and natural compounds from biological sources, to minimize mycotoxins and their respective fungi in corn, and continue ecological studies on Aspergillus populations under various management strategies, e.g., rotations, tillage, and cover crops, and herbicide-resistant crops. Evaluate insect-resistant and susceptible maize lines for insect damage and aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination. Evaluate corn accession for aflatoxin resistance. Develop isolines with stable resistance and susceptibility. Cooperate with industry in using molecular markers to develop resistent inbreds/hybrids.