The degree of susceptibility of nectary-inoculated cotton flowers and bolls to subsequent seed infection by Aspergillus flavus is determined at or before anthesis |
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Authors: | M A Klich |
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Institution: | Southern Regional Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, NEW Orleans, Louisiana 70179 |
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Abstract: | In greenhouse and field studies, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) flowers were inoculated with Aspergillus flavus at the involucral nectaries. Bolls developing from early-season flowers had significantly higher percentages of A. flavus-infected seed than did bolls from flowers formed later in the season. Seeds from bolls inoculated 2 weeks after anthesis had the same infection levels as those from flowers inoculated at anthesis. These results indicate that early-season flowers are predisposed to A. flavus infection and that the degree of susceptibility at anthesis is retained through early boll development. |
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