D3144: Assessment of platforms for the reduction of mycotoxin contamination in heaped maize cobs

Mycotoxin contamination in maize poses serious economic, food safety and food security threat in Ghana. This study assessed the potential of using platforms to control aflatoxins and fumonisin levels in heaped maize ears (cobs) in the field. Four farm fields each in Koradaso-Dormaa Ahenkro (Middle Belt) and Garu in Bono and Upper East Regions of Ghana, respectively, were selected for the study. In the Middle Belt, the study was conducted in both the major and minor seasons, whereas in Garu, it was conducted in just one season, the sole maize growing season for this region. The study set-up was a Randomized Complete Block Design with heaping ears on platforms, on bare ground, and tarpaulin on the ground as treatments. The fields served as experimental blocks (replications). Data on aflatoxin and fumonisin levels in maize were taken as soon as the heaps had been set up and at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after heaping. Aflatoxin levels in maize ears reduced significantly or did not change in heaps on platforms over a 14-day period. In the case of heaps on the ground and tarpaulin, levels increased over a 14-day period. With the exception of heaping on the ground during the major season in the Middle Belt, aflatoxin and fumonisin levels were below the recommended safe threshold of 15 ppb and 4 ppm, respectively, in all the heaping scenarios. The study showed that heaping maize on platforms mitigates mycotoxin contamination whereas heaping on the ground and tarpaulin exacerbate contamination.