Aflatoxin synthesis in corn fields in Guanajuato, Mexico

Aflatoxin contamination of corn is an important problem internationally, particularly in tropical and subtropical conditions that favor infection and synthesis by Aspergillus. Environmental conditions (drought) and agronomic practices i.e. N fertilization have been reported as favorable to aflatoxin synthesis in the field. This study was undertaken to investigate whether the contamination of corn commonly observed in stored conditions in this important corn producing region of Mexico known as "El Bajio" is related to infection by Aspergillus under field conditions. Results using three corn hybrids of recognized susceptibility to infection showed that corn ears artificially inoculated in the field with a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus parasiticus presented a low content of aflatoxin ranging from 13.6 to 24.7 microg Kg(-1). No significant differences were observed between the hybrids tested. Similarly, N fertilization practices, 260 Kg N ha(-1), applied at sowing did not have an effect on the extent of the contamination observed of 6.2 and 19.3 mg of aflatoxin kg(-1) in natural infected and inoculated samples with A. parasiticus NRRL 2999, respectively. Our data suggest that the cases of aflatoxin contamination of corn in this part of Mexico are not related to infection occurring during the crops growing period but most probably to poor storage conditions of corn.