HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Williams, W. P. Articles by Buckley, P. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Williams, W. P. Articles by Buckley, P. M. Agricola Articles by Williams, W. P. Articles by Buckley, P. M. Related Collections Germplasm Enhancement Maize Plant Disease Crop Genetics

Diallel Analysis of Aflatoxin Accumulation in Maize

USDA-ARS, Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit, Box 9555, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Joint contribution of USDA-ARS and the Mississippi Agric. and Forestry Exp. Stn. Journal no. J-11130

^* Corresponding author (Paul.Williams{at}ars.usda.gov).

Aflatoxin, a toxin produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus Link:Fries, occurs naturally in maize (Zea mays L.). It is a potent carcinogen, and its presence markedly reduces the value of grain. Host-plant resistance to A. flavus infection and subsequent aflatoxin accumulation is generally considered a desirable means of reducing losses to aflatoxin. Maize germplasm lines with resistance to aflatoxin contamination have been developed in Mississippi. Four of the aflatoxin-resistant lines and six other lines were used as parents to produce a diallel cross. The diallel cross was evaluated for resistance to aflatoxin contamination in field trials conducted in Mississippi in 2005 and 2006. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were highly significant sources of variation each year. Reciprocal effects were not significant in 2005 or in the combined analysis over years. In the analysis over years, GCA effects for reduced aflatoxin were highly significant for the four lines developed as sources of resistance: Mp313E, Mp494, Mp715, and Mp717. The GCA effect for reduced aflatoxin was also highly significant for Mo18W and NC408. These lines should be useful in developing maize lines and hybrids with resistance to aflatoxin contamination. Breeding methods that maximize the use of GCA should be effective in enhancing resistance to aflatoxin accumulation when using these germplasm lines.

Abbreviations: GCA, general combining ability • LSD, least significant difference • NRRL, Northern Regional Research Laboratory • QTL, quantitative trait locus • SCA, specific combining ability.

All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Permission for printing and for reprinting the material contained herein has been obtained by the publisher.

Received for publication July 26, 2007.