Archivio Journal of Plant Pathology

Abstract:

Maize ear rot is an important disease of maize in Kenya. In this study fumonisin B1 (FB1) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) analysis were conducted on symptomless and rotten maize harvested at different harvest time points after physiological maturity (HTPAPM). Fusarium verticillioides dominated at all HTPAPM. Other fungi reported include Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus and Sternocarpella maydis. In 2001, FB1 levels in symptomless maize ranged between 22 to 1348 µg/kg. Mean FB1 levels at 4, 8, and 12 weeks HTPAPM for Malava were 56, 80 and 317 µg/kg respectively. In Tongaren during 2001 mean FB1 levels of 41, 179 and 590 µg/kg were recorded at 4, 8, 12 week HTPAPM respectively. The FB1 levels in rotten maize ranged from 39 to >5000 µg/kg and increased with HTPAPM. The highest AFB1 level was 17 µg/kg in rotten maize. The results suggest that delayed harvesting could increase FB1 contamination in maize.