Aflatoxin contamination in stored rice variety PAU 201 collected from Punjab, India.

Background & objectives: The present study was carried out on stored rice variety PAU 201 in Punjab that was not permitted for milling and public distribution due to the presence of damaged grains at levels exceeding the regulatory limits of 4.75 per cent. The aim of the study was to determine fungal and aflatoxin contamination in the rice samples to assess hazard from the presence of damaged grains. Presence of iron in discoloured rice grains was also assessed. Methods: Stored samples of paddy of PAU 201 rice variety were collected from six districts of Punjab, milled and analysed for presence of fungal and aflatoxin contamination. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and Prussian blue staining was used to determine fungal spores and presence of iron, respectively. Results: Aflatoxin analysis of rice samples indicated that none exceeded the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 tolerance limit of 30 μg/kg and majority of the samples had levels <15 μg/kg. The proportion of damaged grains exceeding the limit of 5 per cent was observed in 85.7 per cent of the samples. SEM and Prussian blue staining and EDX analysis of black tipped and pin point damaged rice grains did not show presence of fungal structures and presence of iron. Interpretation & conclusions: The results of the study indicated that the stored rice samples did not pose any health concern with respect to aflatoxin contamination as per the criteria laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

Quantificação da área foliar e efeito da desfolha em componentes de produção de milho / Quantification of leaf area and defoliation effect in corn crop components

A redução da área foliar em plantas de milho altera a atividade fisiológica e consequentemente o rendimento de grãos. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram quantificar a área foliar em milho e avaliar as consequências de diferentes níveis de desfolha nos componentes de produção. O experimento foi realizado em Uberlândia, Minas Gerais (MG), durante o ano agrícola de 2007/2008. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram testemunha sem desfolha, remoção de duas folhas apicais, remoção de quatro folhas apicais, remoção de todas as folhas acima da espiga, remoção de quatro folhas intermediárias, remoção de todas as folhas abaixo da espiga e remoção de todas as folhas da planta. O genótipo utilizado foi o híbrido NB7376. A quantificação da área foliar foi realizada a partir da submissão de imagens de folhas de milho para leitura no programa QUANT 1.0. O resultado da área média foliar do híbrido foi de 5.687,72cm² por planta, e o Índice de Área Foliar é de 4,4. Quando foram retiradas todas as folhas acima da espiga, foi observada a perda de 20 por cento na produtividade e de 8 por cento no peso de 1.000 grãos; no entanto, não foram alterados a porcentagem de grãos ardidos, o número de grãos, o número de fileiras por espiga, o estande e a porcentagem de plantas acamadas. A porcentagem de grãos ardidos e de plantas acamadas só foi afetada em desfolhas totais. Toda a área foliar em milho tem a sua participação na produção de fotoassimilados; no entanto, a extensão foliar fisiologicamente ativa acima da espiga é caracterizada como a mais eficiente na produtividade de grãos.

Corn plant physiological activities and consequently grain yield are affected by reduction in leaf area. The aim of this study was to quantify leaf area in corn plants and evaluate the consequences of different levels of defoliation in crop components. The experiment was conducted in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais state, during the crop year of 2007/2008. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with five replications. The treatments were as follows: control without defoliation; two apical leaves removed; four apical leaves removed; all leaves above spike removed; four intermediate leaves removed; all leaves below spike removed; and all plant leaves removed. The genotype used was hybrid NB7376. To quantify leaf area, images of corn leaves were analyzed using the program QUANT 1.0. The average hybrid leaf area was 5,687.72cm² per plant, with a leaf area index of 4.4. When all leaves above the spike were removed, grain yields fell by 20 percent and the mass of 1000 grains decreased by 8 percent. However, the percentage of damaged grains, the number of grains, and the number of rows per spike, the stand and plant lodging were not altered. The percentage of damaged grains and plant lodging were only affected in total defoliation. All leaf areas in corn are involved in the production of photoassimilates. However, physiologically active leaf area above the spike is characterized as the most efficient in grain yield.