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Effects of Natural Hail Damage on Ear Rots, Mycotoxins, and Grain Quality Characteristics of Corn
Author(s) -
Robertson Alison E.,
Munkvold Gary P.,
Hurburgh Charles R.,
Ensley Steve
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj2010.0276
Subject(s) - zearalenone , mycotoxin , fusarium , aflatoxin , fumonisin , preharvest , agronomy , contamination , gibberella , biology , horticulture , zoology , food science , ecology , postharvest
In 2009, two severe hail storms affected more than 400,000 ha of corn ( Zea mays L.) during early reproductive stages (R1 to R3) in Iowa. Concerns were raised regarding marketability, increased ear rot disease, and associated mycotoxin contamination. To address these concerns, ear samples were collected within 48 h of combine harvest from 56 fields damaged by hail and 27 undamaged fields. Ears were visually assessed for kernel damage and ear rot severity. After shelling, test weight, moisture, protein, oil, starch, and density were determined before grain was ground and tested for deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone, and fumonisins using commercially available antibody‐based lateral flow strip tests. Confirmation analyses on elevated samples was performed by gas chromatography for DON and high pressure liquid chromatography for zearalenone and fumonisin. Fusarium, Gibberella, and Cladosporium ear rots were the most prevalent diseases. Hail damage to kernels increased the risk of ear rot and mycotoxin contamination. The most prevalent mycotoxin detected was DON (mean 2.63 mg kg −1 ), followed by zearalenone (mean 0.53 mg kg −1 ) and fumonisin (mean 0.49 mg kg −1 ). Levels of DON were more than fourfold higher and ZEA levels were 10‐fold higher in grain from hail‐damaged fields compared to undamaged fields. In approximately 50% of the grain samples from hail damaged fields, DON and zearalenone levels in ethanol co‐products would likely have been above FDA advisory levels and levels recommended by veterinarians, respectively. Preharvest scouting and screening of fields with suspected mycotoxins may be necessary, particularly with increased concerns about mycotoxin in grain end products.