Seed viability and aflatoxin production in individual cottonseed naturally contaminated with Aspergillus flavus

Individual cottonseed naturally contaminated with Aspergillus flavus Link were tested for viability and assayed for aflatoxin B 1 . Of the 55 infected seeds tested, less than half (21) germinated normally, a rate much lower than expected for uninfected cottonseed. Aflatoxin levels in the seeds varied from below 300 ng/g to over 100,000 ng/g of seed. Statistical analyses indicate that the presence of aflatoxin is correlated with poor germination in cottonseed naturally contaminated with A. flavus .