Timing is everything: how planting period shapes nutritional quality, mycobiota characteristics, and mycotoxin contamination in maize (Zea mays) grains

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is crucial in global grain markets and food/feed production. Fungal con- tamination in ears can adversely affect crop yield and diminish the nutritional value of grains. Moreover, many of the main pathogens affecting maize are pro- ducers of mycotoxins, which pose a risk to food safety.The area under late-planted maize in Argentina has increased, as more stable yields despite lower poten- tial are expected in comparison to the early planting period. However, late-planted maize is prone to fun- gal infections and insect damage as well as mycotoxin.