Evaluation of elite maize inbred lines for reduced Aspergillus flavus infection, aflatoxin accumulation, and agronomic traits

Abstract

Mycotoxins produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus are harmful to humans and animals and result in large economic losses. Developing and disseminating resistant germplasm is a critical component to reduce or eliminate the accumulation of pre-harvest aflatoxins in maize (Zea mays L.). Ninety-three different inbred lines were evaluated for seven standard agronomic traits during the years of 2012 to 2016 in two locations (nine environments), and inoculated with A. flavus. Multiple inbreds were both lower accumulating for aflatoxins and higher yielding than aflatoxin tolerant and high yielding checks. The top seven inbred lines on average had an aflatoxin value of 14.1 ng g–1 and an average yield of 3.2 Mg ha–1, while the susceptible checks were 185.9 ng g–1 and 2.5 Mg ha–1, respectively. Several inbred lines evaluated in this study have high potential utility in future maize improvement research, such as breeding for resistance, segregating populations for genetic mapping as well as in direct use in hybrids with genetically improved resistance to A. flavus.