Assessment of mycotoxin risk on corn in the Philippines under current and future climate change conditions.

This study attempts to assess the risk of mycotoxins (aflatoxins and fumonisins) contamination on corn in the Philippines under current and projected climate change conditions using fuzzy logic methodology based on the published range of temperature and rainfall conditions that favor mycotoxin development. Based on the analysis, projected climatic change will reduce the risk of aflatoxin contamination in the country due to increased rainfall. In the case of fumonisin contamination, most parts of the country are at a very high risk both under current conditions and the projected climate change conditions.

Canopy Size and Induced Resistance in Stylosanthes scabra Determine Anthracnose Severity at High CO(2).

ABSTRACT This study examines the relative importance of canopy size and induced resistance to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides at 350- and 700-ppm atmospheric CO(2) concentrations on susceptible Stylosanthes scabra 'Fitzroy' from two studies in a controlled environment facility (CEF) and in the field. Plants were grown at the two CO(2) concentrations in a repeated experiment in the CEF and inoculated at 6, 9, or 12 weeks of age. Although the physiological maturity of plants was at a similar stage for all three ages, the number of lesions per plant increased with increasing plant age at both CO(2) concentrations.

Production and dispersal of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides spores on Stylosanthes scabra under elevated CO2.

This paper reports the effect of twice-ambient (700 ppm) atmospheric CO(2) concentration on infection, disease development, spore production and dispersal of the anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in susceptible (Fitzroy) and partially resistant (Seca) cultivars of the tropical pasture legume Stylosanthes scabra under controlled environment and field conditions. Reduction in plant height due to anthracnose was partially compensated for by growth enhancement at elevated CO(2) in Fitzroy but not in Seca. Anthracnose severity was reduced under elevated CO(2) although the reduction was only significant in Fitzroy.