Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 8446 / SEEDWORLD.COM JANUARY 2017 NEW RESEARCH TO “STAMP OUT” AFLATOXIN CORN FARMERS’ ONGOING quest to manage and mitigate the fungus aflatoxin received a boost in mid December with the announcement that the Aflatoxin Mitigation Center of Excellence had approved seven new research projects for 2017. AMCOE, which is managed by the National Corn Growers Association, is designed to investigate biological con- trols, aflatoxin resistance through trans- genic and traditional breeding, best management strategies for harvest, handling and storage and improved testing procedures. “Aflatoxin is a critical issue for corn growers who want to provide consumers with the best quality and safest product possible,” says Charles Ring, AMCOE Committee Chairman from Sinton, Texas. “AMCOE is committed to making contin- ued progress toward solving this problem and helping southern corn farmers remain profitable.” Aflatoxin in corn can be at danger- ously high levels especially during periods of drought. The toxin, a byproduct of the Aspergillus fungi, is endemic in cornfields around the world. “U.S. producers do all they can to eliminate the contaminants to meet strict standards. Through collaborative research at southern universities we have made significant progress related to both management and control,” Ring says. “We are confident this newly funded round of research will continue this positive momentum.” Through genomic and genetic research, scientists hope to identify genes that contribute to aflatoxin resistance. National Corn Growers Association Seven research projects will be funded in 2017 at Mississippi State University, Purdue University, Texas A & M, Louisiana State University and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in Georgia. AMCOE, now in its sixth year, funds multiple research approaches to solve farmers’ struggles with mycotoxins. Funding a portfolio of approaches increases the probability of success. AMCOE supports genomic/genetic research to identify the genes that con- tribute to mycotoxin resistance, which is an important first step in their incorpo- ration into new hybrids. AMCOE sup- ports several breeding efforts that will have direct benefit to farmers. Breeding is not the only strategy the committee supports. AMCOE also supports both transgenic and biocontrol strategies to control both fungal growth and myco- toxin production. SW Aspergillus flavus is associated with the corn disease, Aspergillus ear rot. Powdery, grey-green spores may develop on the surface of the ears, and aflatoxins may be produced by the fungus until the kernel moisture reaches about 15 percent. High temperatures, drought stress, and insect injury may contribute to increased aflatoxin contamination. Photo: Mark Weaver, USDA-ARS. “Aflatoxin is a critical issue for corn growers who want to provide consumers with the best quality and safest product possible.” — Charles Ring