Achieng, Martha Milker2026-10-232026-10-232026Achieng, M. M. (2026). Selection of new maize hybrids and in breed lines for reduced preharvest aspergillus flavus infection. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.https://bdears.busitema.ac.ug/handle/123456789/11476Undergraduate research reportThe Aspergillus fungal species frequently grows and contaminates common grains including maize resulting production of aflatoxin, a carcinogenic toxin to animals and humans. The contamination may occur in the field at pre-harvest, at harvest, and/or in storage. However, the susceptibility of some new hybrid and inbred maize genotypes to the fungal species is not known. This study aimed at selecting inbred and new hybrid maize genotypes for resistance to Aspergillus flavus kernel infection. Specifically, the study determined the level of Aspergillus flavus infestation among new hybrid varieties and inbred lines, and the correlation between Aspergillus flavus infection between in new maize hybrids and inbred lines. The resistance was assessed through laboratory analysis of kernels by measuring the percentage incidence, severity of Infected Kernels (ISIK), and disease severity index. Results showed highly significant variation (P≤0.001) in percentage incidence and severity among inbred lines, but not the hybrids. For example, genotype IPTRL2024-16 had the lowest incidence, while IPTRL2024-56 had the highest among the inbred. Among the new hybrids genotype 2024SCPT-9 had the lowest incidence while 2024SCPT-2 had the highest. In terms of severity inbred genotype IPTRL2024-56 had the highest severity (4.5) which shows high susceptibility, while IPTRL2024-16 had the lowest (0.87). For the new hybrids, 2024SCTP-9 was resistant (0.90) and 2024SCPT-2was susceptible (4.9). No susceptible or highly susceptible kernels were recorded among the new hybrids in all the entries. The single cross hybrids used in this study had a lower variation than the inbred, and the percentage incidence infection of the plated maize kernels does not directly influence the severity of the Aspergillus flavus infection on the maize kernels. There was a high significance in the correlation (<0.001) between the incidence and severity of the Aspergillus flavus infestation in both the new hybrids and inbred.enOther