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Determine the biochemical nature of "Live Corn Embryo" (LCE)-associated (and/or other) resistance factor(s) which inhibit infection/aflatoxin contamination by Aspergillus flavus. Determine effects of biotic and abiotic stress factors on expression of the LCE or other traits.
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Corn kernels (with live embryos) of certain "resistant" genotypes showed remarkable resistance to aflatoxin contamination in vitro, but demonstrate imcomplete (but measurable) field resistance. </P>
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Greenhouse and microplot studies will examine the effects of preharvest biotic or abiotic stress factors (e.g., insects, nematodes, weeds, drought, etc.) on Live Corn Embryo (LCE)-associated and other resistances. </P>
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Controlled environment studies will be conducted in microplots and tall greenhouses originally used for sugarcane culture. These unique facilities allow almost complete control of plant environment for "tall grass" species. Factors associated with the live corn embryo showing antifungal antiaflatoxigenic activity will be characterized by extraction of the pertinent chemical compounds, followed by chemical analysis and bioassays to determine antifungal/antitoxin activity of extracted compounds.</P>