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To identify molecular markers in advanced breeding lines of corn that are associated with genes for preharvest resistance to Aspergillus flavus or aflatoxin production.
Specifically to: Incorporate genes for resistance to A.flavus and aflatoxin production into usable corn germplasm with an emphasis on advanced breeding lines developed from resistance doners; continue to identify molecular markers linked to genes for resistance to Aspergillus ear rot and to aflatoxin production in new donor sources; determine the genetic basis of resistance to Aspergillus ear rot and to aflatoxin production for identified sources and perform molecular marker mapping analyses on this population. Evaluate and improve inoculation methods for screening for resistance to corn; evaluate F1 hybdrids for genetic resistance to A. flavus in the field; identify germplassm that expresses a dominant form of resistance to A. flavus and aflatoxin production; develop different F2 populations from different F1 hybdrids that exhibit resistance in No.3; isolate DNA from plant tissue samples of aflatoxin-susceptible and aflatoxin resistant plants and perform molecular marker analyses of the DNA samples to identify associated chromosome regions.