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Control A. flavus infection of corn prior to harvest by identifying critical control points of corn kernel resistance/susceptibility,including specific plant structural, chemical, and biochemical mechanisms of seed resistance. Interpret the affects of specific biotic and environmental factors as confounding variables in varietal trials for corn kernel resistance to aflatoxin.
Investigate inheritance patterns 'seed coat tearing,' the point of entry for A. flavus infection of the germ; identify novel corn metabolites that act by inhibiting A. flavus growth or nutrient conversion to aflatoxin and investigate their developmental variation during corn kernel maturation; identify, clone, and characterize specific proteins induced in corn kernels by infection with A. flavus; evaluate the behaviors of cloned gene promoters in terms of corn tissue specificity, timing, and strength of induction, and combine potential promoters with the structural gene sequences of known antifungal proteins or peptides for tests of kernel resistance to A. flavus infection; investigate the action of lipoxygenase enzymes and end products from host plants for the ability to inhibit A. flavus sporulation and aflatoxin production at the gene level; evaluate specific biotic factors as confounding variables in corn varietal trials for aflatoxin resistance. NCAUR, Peoria, IL, BAR Lab, Rm. 1302; BL 1-p, IBC Certified 11/23/99.