Screening for Insect and Disease Resistance and Aflatoxin Accumulation in Experimental Maize Hybrids

In order to develop new maize germplasm lines with resistance to multiple insect pests, disease, and aflatoxin accumulation in temperate region, a set of new experimental hybrids was made using exotic tropical and subtropical maize inbred lines. The evaluation of these breeding crosses for insect and disease resistance, and aflatoxin contamination was conducted in 2014 and 2015.  The experiment utilized the randomized complete block design with three replications. Fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)] and corn earworm [Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)] resistance was screened with using commercial transgenic maize hybrids as the controls.  Fall armyworm and corn earworm resistance, and aflatoxin contamination varied among the breeding crosses. The best crosses with good insect resistance and low aflatoxin level would be advanced for new germplasm development.