LOWER MYCOTOXIN LEVELS IN GRAIN OF BT CORN GROWN IN ARGENTINA DURING 2002/03-2003/04 HARVEST SEASON

CHULZE, S.; SEQUEIRA, J.; ROJO, F.; BARROS, G.; MAGNOLI, C.; REYNOSO, M.; RAMIREZ, M.; FARNOCHI, M.; TORRES, A.; DALCERO, A.

Carlos Paz, Córdoba, Argentina

Conferencia; Conference Advances in Reseach on Toxigenic Fungi and mycotoxins In South America ensuring food and feed safety in a myco-globe context; 2006

Mycotoxin production and fungal contamination were evaluated in corn grain of two isogenic lines, a Bt hybrid (DK682MG) derived from event MON 810 contain the Cry 1Ab protein from Bacillus thuringiensis and non-transgenic near-isogenic control hibrid (DK682). This study was done in seven localities from the Argentinean maize-growing area during the harvest seasons 2002/03 and 2003/2004. Mycotoxin analysis were carried out using AFLP methodology. The levels of the total fumonisins (FB1, FB2, FB3) in corn grain from Bt hybrid and no Bt hybrid were significant different (p<0.001), with lower levels in grains from Bt corn in the 7 localities. Statistical analysis was done to evaluate the effect among genotype, fungicide treatment and their interactions on fumonisin contamination. There was no interaction between fungicide treatment and genotype and between treatment with and without fungicide. With regard to measurement of the other mycotoxins, few samples showed DON contamination at low levels but there wereno differences between thr Bt hybrid and no Bt hybrid. Al corn samples were negative for aflatoxins.