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Field control of Fusarium ear rot, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), and fumonisins in maize kernels.

Mazzoni E, Scandolara A, Giorni P, Pietri A, Battilani P

Istituto di Entomologia e Patologia Vegetale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy.

BACKGROUND: A 6 year study was conducted to evaluate the possible support of pesticides in mitigating mycotoxin contamination in maize grown in northern Italy. Different pesticides to control Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (ECB), Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenb. and Aspergillus flavus Link were considered to check their efficacy and the best schedule to reduce fumonisin and aflatoxin contamination.RESULTS: Fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) contamination at harvest has been reduced by ECB control, while the addition of ingredients targeted to F. verticillioides gave a limited advantage, mainly with low FB(1) contamination; nevertheless, fusaria control is relevant in high-risk conditions, when FB(1) is likely to exceed the legal limit. The combination of fungal and pest control in a single spray at silk browning stage (BBCH 67) is the best way of application. These results are robust because they were obtained in a 6 year trial, with relevant differences in meteorological conditions, ECB and fungal presence and mycotoxin contamination.CONCLUSION: Insecticides have been shown to give advantages in their application, while the low FB(1) contamination in the final years of the study did not lead to conclusive data on the advantage of adding a fungicide. Chemicals applied did not modify A. flavus incidence or aflatoxin contamination (only detected in trace amounts). Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.

Published 7 January 2011 in Pest Manag Sci.
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