**Acknowledgements**

**4.2. Recent breeding efforts**

14 Aflatoxins - Recent Advances and Future Prospects

the southern U.S. [83].

Recent breeding efforts towards the development of aflatoxin-resistant maize lines has re‐ sulted in a number of germplasm releases including the above-mentioned IITA-SRRC in‐ breds. In 2008, TZAR 101-106, derived from a combination of African and southern-adapted U.S. lines are being field-tested in different parts of the Southern U.S. (Figure 1) [80]. These have also exhibited resistance to lodging and common foliar diseases. GT-603 was released in 2011, after having been derived from GT-MAS:gk [81], while Mp-718 and Mp-719 were released as southern adapted resistant lines which are both shorter and earlier than previous Mp lines [82, 83]. These lines are also being tested as inbreds and in hybrid combinations in

**Figure 1.** Inoculation of maize ears with *Aspergillus flavus* spores using a 'side needle' wound technique for field eval‐

The host resistance approach to eliminating aflatoxin contamination of maize has been advanced forward by the identification/development of maize lines with resistance to aflatoxin accumulation. However, to fully exploit the resistance discovered in these lines, markers must be identified to transfer resistance to commercially useful backgrounds. Towards this goal numerous investigations have been undertaken to discover the factors that contribute to resistance, laying the basis for exploiting these discoveries as well.

uations of TZAR lines developed through IITA-SRRC program.

**5. Conclusion**

Research discussed in this review received support from the USAID Linkage Program-IITA, Nigeria, and the USDA-ARS Office of International Research Programs (OIRP) -USAID Col‐ laborative Support Program.
