Table 1: Identification Keys for Economically Important Ear Rots:
| Disease | Symptom | Environmental Conditions | Ear occurrence | Mycotoxin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspergillus Ear Rot | Yellow to olive-green spores | Hot, dry conditions (86ºF) | Top/tip of the ear | Aflatoxins |
| Diplodia Ear Rot | White mold (early) grayish brown mold (late) | Dry weather followed by wet conditions during R1 (silking) | Base of the ear | None |
| Fusarium Ear Rot | White to salmon/purple cottony mold | Most severe under high temperatures (above 77ºF) and variable moisture | Individual or group of kernels on ear | Fumonisins |
| Gibberella Ear Rot | Pink to reddish mold | Most severe under cool and wet conditions after R1 | Top of the ear | Zearalenone and Deoxynivalenol |
Table 2. Mycotoxins Action or Advisory Levels:
| Intended Use Category | Fumonisins (ppm) | Aflatoxin (ppb) | Deoxynivalenol (ppm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humans | 2 - 4 | 20 | 1 |
| Milk for Humans | - | 0.5 | - |
| Horses | 5 | 20 | 5 |
| Swine | 20 | 200 | 5 |
| Beef Cattle | 60 | 300 | 10 |
| Dairy Cattle | - | 20 | 5 |
| Chickens | 100 | 300 | 10 |
| Other Animals | 10 | 20 | 5 |