By Adriana Murillo-Williams and Paul D. Esker et.al
We continue to receive reports of corn contaminated with mycotoxins, mainly deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin). The level of contamination has been high in several cases, including situations where grain loads have been rejected. However, it is important to remember that corn can be contaminated with many different mycotoxins as a result of the co-infection with multiple fungal species that cause ear rots. Therefore, corn contamination with more than one mycotoxin is the norm, not the exception. We have also received reports of some elevators conducting multiple mycotoxin tests this year.
Why Is This Important to Consider?
A single type of ear rot can be caused by an array of fungal species that can only be identified with a laboratory analysis. Each fungal species has a different mycotoxin production profile regarding the type and amount of toxins they produce. In addition, there is also variation in the optimal environmental conditions for growth, disease development, and mycotoxin production.
Why Are We Interested?
As part of our research program, we are collecting corn samples to determine what fungal species are present in Pennsylvania corn and could be contributing to mycotoxin contamination. If you would like to contribute to this project and have access to stored corn that has tested positive for mycotoxins or to moldy corn still standing in the field, please send grain samples to:
Dr. Paul Esker
Pennsylvania State University
Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology
361 Science Dr.
Room 219
University Park, PA 16802
The source of the samples will be kept confidential, and the results will be summarized and shared as part of an extension publication and during extension meetings. If you have any questions, please contact Adriana Murillo-Williams (axm1119@psu.edu), Paul Esker (pde6@psu.edu), or Alyssa Collins (aac18@psu.edu).
Source : psu.edu