IMPACT OF AGRONOMIC MANAGEMENT ON AFLATOXINS CONTAMINATION (Aspergillus flavus) AND CHACOAL ROT (Macrophomina phaseolina) IN CORN

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to know the maize grain aflatoxin concentration, charcoal rot incidence and production characteristics. Two planting methods (PM) and two irrigation systems (IS) were compared. The evaluated PM were in beds (115 thousand plants ha-1) and rows (85 thousand plants ha-1). The IS were drip and gravity (surface) irrigation. Long ear and grain protein content were not affected by PM or IS. Grain yield was superior in rows (P=0.007) with 46% compared with beds. Between IS, drip irrigation increased yield (P=0.028) in 20% in relation to gravity irrigation. Drip irrigation registered better water irrigation efficiency (P=0.001; 56%) related to gravity irrigation. Aflatoxin level and charcoal rot incidence were not influenced by IS; but between PM, lower aflatoxin concentration (P=0.009; 11.1 µ kg-1) and charcoal rot incidence (P=0.008; 23.7%) were observed in rows. It seems that high population densities in the bed plantings increased water demand, such factor reduced grain yield, increased aflatoxin content, and charcoal rot incidence. Row planting and drip irrigation were the agronomic management that gave greater yields and less risk with A. favus and M. phaseolina in maize