Influence of Sowing Time on Fusarium and Fumonisin Contamination of Maize Grains and Yield Component Traits

The main aim of this research was to study the effect two sowing times (early and late) on Fusarium fumonisin contamination some yield component traits maize hybrids from FAO maturity groups 500 (ZP 560) 600 666) within a two-year growing season (2016–2017). F. verticillioides subglutinans have been identified as ear rot (FER) pathogens potential producers B-type fumonisins (FBs), with predominant species in both years. incidence FB levels were affected by time hybridity. With early mid-maturity hybrid ZP 560, lower than late late-maturity 666. Yield parameters also differed significantly between treatments. Early increased length (EL), number grains per (NGE), grain weight (GWE), hectare (GY). 666 had higher GY 560. EL, GWE, thousand-grain (TGW), year. Interactions highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) for level, GY. obtained results indicate importance applying achieve high yields FBs. Although 560 showed differences terms contamination, susceptible verticillioides, levels. These should be useful breeders create genotypes more resistant these fungal contaminants.