Control of aflatoxin using atoxigenic strains and irrigation management is complicated by maize hybrid diversity

Mycotoxins produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus are harmful to humans and animals that feed on contaminated products. This study was conducted to determine if there are any interactions between applications of an atoxigenic A. flavus, irrigation regimes, locations, and hybrids that affect contamination of maize (Zea mays L.). Total genotypic variation was 3.8% for transformed aflatoxin data, suggesting that the diverse hybrids used were a minor to moderate driver of aflatoxin variation in this experiment. Location (Loc) × year × irrigated (Irr) × genotype (Gen) for transformed aflatoxin explained 3.3% variation, which is useful in selecting reduced aflatoxin‐susceptible genotypes in differing environments. Variation from atoxigenic inoculation (Inoc) explained 2.7% variation and reduced aflatoxin accumulation by 11% on average. Location × Inoc explained 2.1% of variation, supporting the effectiveness of atoxigenic applications dependent on different locations. All effects containing Inoc × Gen totaled .45%, suggesting that genotypes could have a small influence on effectiveness of atoxigenic applications. These are critical components to understand that can aid a breeder in selecting aflatoxin‐tolerant germplasm. Core Ideas Environmental and agronomic interactions for breeding aflatoxin tolerant maize hybrids were investigated. Interactions between genotype, environmental, agronomic, and inoculation methods and how these interactions could lower aflatoxin accumulation were analyzed. The possibility of synergistic and antagonistic interactions for aflatoxin tolerance in maize was investigated.