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FIELD-BASED ASSESSMENT OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) GENOTYPES FOR RESISTANCE AGAINST ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS UNDER SEASONAL VARIABILITY
Abstract
Maize is considered one of the most important cereal crops in the world and is characterized by high vulnerability to infection by Aspergillus flavus. This pathogenic fungus can cause Ear rot and produce toxic aflatoxins. This contamination poses serious economic and health risks globally. Aspergillus species and their metabolites, including aflatoxins (AFs), are significant contaminants that pose a threat to food safety and production worldwide. Favorable environmental conditions can reduce both the yield and quality of the grain caused by these fungi. Limited knowledge of maize resistance mechanisms to this fungus presents a challenge for scientists and farmers trying to select resistant varieties. This field trial assesses the response of maize to A. flavus exposure during the autumn and spring of 2023-2024. Maize cobs from both inoculated and non-inoculated plants were manually harvested, shade-dried at room temperature, and analyzed for various parameters. Results from analysis of variance, correlation, heat maps, and principal component analysis showed that non-inoculated maize genotypes performed better than those inoculated with A. flavus, despite minimal visible infection symptoms across all genotypes. Exposure to A. flavus negatively affected several traits, especially quality parameters such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, and moisture content in the grains. The principal component analysis identified PBG-35, PBG-43, and PBG-16 as the top-performing genotypes, while PBG-80, PBG-81, and PBG-83 performed poorly during autumn and spring of 2023 and 2024, under both inoculated and non-inoculated conditions. The study concludes that inoculation with A. flavus harms maize grain yield and quality under conditions favorable to fungal growth, even when no visible signs of infection are present.
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Dear Editor Thank you for sending manuscript for evaluation. The study focuses on maize resistance to Aspergillus flavus under seasonal variability. This is a well-studied problem in tropical and subtropical agriculture, particularly in Pakistan, where aflatoxin contamination is a recurring issue. Identification of resistant and susceptible genotypes (e.g., PBG-35, PBG-43, PBG-16 vs. PBG-80, PBG-81, PBG-83) is useful but not novel. Similar genotype screening studies have been repeatedly published in local and international journals. The manuscript claims to evaluate resistance under seasonal variability, but the results largely confirm known associations (moisture favoring fungal growth, negative correlation of anthesis-silking interval with yield, etc.). No new mechanism, gene-level insight, or breeding innovation is presented. The novelty is limited. The study replicates established screening approaches without introducing new methodology, molecular insights, or unique germplasm contributions. The discussion section reiterates known facts about aflatoxin toxicity and prevalence but does not integrate the findings into a broader breeding or policy framework I cannot recommend the manuscript for publication.
