Seed viability and aflatoxin production in individual cottonseed naturally contaminated withAspergillus flavus

Abstract Individual cottonseed naturally contaminated withAspergillus flavus Link were tested for viability and assayed for aflatoxin B1. Of the 55 infected seeds tested, less than half (21) germinated normally, a rate much lower than expected for uninfected cottonseed. Aflatoxin levels in the seeds varied from below 300 ng/g to over 100,000 ng/g of seed. Statistical analyses indicate that the presence of aflatoxin is correlated with poor germination in cottonseed naturally contaminated withA. flavus.