Evaluation of the effect of genotype, climate and use of fungicides in the contamination of maize with fumonisins

• Grant number: 12/15264-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2012
• End date: August 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Micotti da Gloria
• Grantee: Bianca Janduci de Sá
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Contamination of maize with fumonisins is a current global concern. This mycotoxin has been shown to be toxic to livestock and probably also for humans. Occurrence data in various regions of the world and in Brazil show a high frequency of occurrence of this mycotoxin mainly in maize and derivatives. In Brazil, the Brazilian Sanitary Surveillance Agency, established through a resolution on February 18, 2011, maximum allowable limits for fumonisin in corn and its derivatives. Given the risk of human health, the high frequency of occurrence and legislation to this mycotoxin is urgent that more data on the occurrence of fumonisin contamination in preharvest be generated to assist the agricultural sector to respond to a demand for corn with lower levels of contamination. Thus, this project aims to obtain information about the effect of genotype, climatic factors, and the use of fungicides for disease control on contamination of maize with fumonisins in preharvest.(AU)