Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée)) infestation increases Fusarium verticillioides (Nirenberg) infection and fumonisins contamination in maize and reduces the yield

Abstract

Field trials based on manual infestation of the Asian corn borer (ACB) (Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée)) and Fusarium verticillioides (Nirenberg) atomization were conducted on four maize hybrids to investigate the relationship between ACB infestation and F. verticillioides infection, yield loss and fumonisins contamination in maize. Analysis of fumonisin B1 and B2 was carried out using an LC-MS/MS system. In this study, manual ACB infestation significantly promoted F. verticillioides infection (both symptomatic and symptomless) and grain fumonisins level. Ear rot incidence and severity, symptomless kernel infection and fumonisins contamination were significantly correlated to each other and to ACB damage severity. Manual ACB infestation increased fumonisin level from 580 to 4418 µg/kg in 2018, 6059 to 10681 µg/kg in 2019 spring-sown maize (2019A), and 2042 to 5060 µg/kg in 2019 summer-sown maize (2019B), while the concentration threshold of European Union (EU) is 4000 µg/kg. In spring of 2019, fumonisins level in kernels from untreated controls exceeded threshold of EU. Significant negative correlation between ACB damage and ear weight were observed. Regarding yield, significant negative correlation between ACB damage and ear weight were observed in three seasons. These results indicated that ACB infestation can lead to severe quality degradation and yield loss of maize. Kernel fumonisin level may exceed concentration threshold of EU in certain conditions, threatening health of livestock and human. Measures should be taken to reduce ACB infestation to ensure food and feed security.