By Adriana Murillo-Williams and Paul D. Esker et.al
We continue to receive reports of corn contaminated with mycotoxins, mainly deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin). The level of contamination has been high in several cases, including situations where grain loads have been rejected. However, it is important to remember that corn can be contaminated with many different mycotoxins as a result of the co-infection with multiple fungal species that cause ear rots. Therefore, corn contamination with more than one mycotoxin is the norm, not the exception. We have also received reports of some elevators conducting multiple mycotoxin tests this year.
Why Is This Important to Consider?
A single type of ear rot can be caused by an array of fungal species that can only be identified with a laboratory analysis. Each fungal species has a different mycotoxin production profile regarding the type and amount of toxins they produce. In addition, there is also variation in the optimal environmental conditions for growth, disease development, and mycotoxin production.