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Identifying Corn Hybrids Resistant to Gibberella Ear Rot and Deoxynivalenol

Applied Research

Stephanie Karhoff
Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems
The Ohio State University
Ottawa

Abstract

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin produced by the fungus Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of gibberella ear rot (GER) of corn and fusarium head blight of wheat. Grain contamination with DON causes adverse effects in livestock, especially swine and dairy. At levels beyond 2 ppm, it can lead to vomiting, feed refusal, and suppression of the immune system. Gibberella ear rot (GER) and DON contamination has become an increasingly pressing issue for Ohio corn growers and has reduced corn market value. Selecting disease-resistant corn hybrids is recommended to lower the risk of Fusarium graminearum infection and high DON levels, but resistance ratings are often not available to growers due to the labor-intensive process required to screen hybrids for GER and DON resistance. To address this issue, The Ohio State University launched a DON resistance screening program to assess the susceptibility to GER and DON accumulation in commercially available corn hybrids. In 2024, 89 corn hybrids from 11 different seed companies were blocked by maturity and screened at three field locations (Bucyrus, South Charleston, and Wooster). At silking (R1 growth stage) a subset of ears for each hybrid entry were inoculated with Fusarium graminearum spores and the remaining ears were naturally infected. Ear rot severity was measured prior to harvest and grain samples were collected to measure DON accumulation levels for each entry under both inoculated and naturally infected treatments. DON levels were low at all three locations due to below-average rainfall in 2024, but significant differences in average DON contamination levels were still observed among hybrids. Of the 89 hybrids, 37 did not statistically differ from the least contaminated hybrid at all three locations, while 2 were significantly higher within the inoculated treatment across locations. These results will help Ohio corn growers avoid planting susceptible hybrids and better manage both GER and DON accumulation, limiting yield losses and lowered grain quality.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Stephanie Karhoff, Jason Hartschuh, Rich Minyo, Pierce Paul
  1. Karhoff, S. Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 45875
  2. Hartschuh, J. Field Specialist, Dairy Management and Precision Livestock, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 44820
  3. Minyo, R. Research Specialist, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 44691
  4. Paul, P. Chair and Professor, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 44691