STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF N-FERTILIZATION AND PLANT DENSITY ON THE RESISTANCE OF MAIZE HYBRIDS TO FUSARIAL EAR ROT

Abstract

Eight maize hybrids grown in Hungary were studied in order to investigate the effects of some agrotechnical factors (N-fertilization and plant density) on the resistance to Fusarium moulds. The plants grown on an experimental farm were artificially infected using the tooth pick method with F. graminearum and F. culmorum. In addition, maize grain meals were also inoculated with isolates of moulds. The surface area of ears covered by moulds 9 weeks after inoculation and the toxin content (Zearalenone and T2 toxin) of infected grain meals were measured. For characterization of resistance, the toxin-mould index (TMI) was introduced which takes into consideration both the growth rate of moulds and their toxin production. A slight decrease in the mould-covered surface area of ears was observed with growing N-supply, and surprisingly no significant differences were found in the toxin content with higher plant density.