Cereal Chem 63:467-470   |  VIEW ARTICLE
Aflatoxin Contamination of Corn Hybrids in Alabama.

N. D. Davis, C. G. Currier, and U. L. Diener. Copyright 1986 by the American Association of Cereal Chemists, Inc. 

Aflatoxin contamination was determined for 215 corn hybrids; 38 were grown for 4-6 years and an additional 177 for 1-3 years. They were grown at 12 locations in Alabama from 1976 until 1981. In 1977, corn from the southern region of the state averaged 1,188 ppb of aflatoxin B1 and that from the central and northern regions averaged 47 and 66 ppb, respectively. In 1980, each region averaged approximately 200 ppb. Contamination levels were mostly insignificant in 1978 with averages ranging from 5 to 12 ppb in all regions and in 1979 in the central and northern regions, whereas contamination averaged 110 ppb in the southern region in 1979. Contamination levels in 1976 and 1981 were low and uniform throughout the state, ranging from 5 to 39 ppb. It was concluded that there was no resistance to aflatoxin formation in any hybrid tested, and significant aflatoxin levels generally accompanied stress caused by high temperature, low rainfall, low-moisture-holding capacity of sandy soils, and insect infestation.