Yield plant population density

Soil populations and aflatoxin contamination are influenced by weather patterns, with hot dry soils favoring the Aspergillus section Flavi. In terms of geographic location, A. flavus incidence is correlated with high minimum temperatures and inversely correlated to latitude. For example, corn ears that develop at temperatures of 28 to 32°C are far more likely to be contaminated by aflatoxin than ears grown later in the season at lower temperatures. However, late planting is not economically feasible due to lower crop yields. Besides hot dry weather, the level of insect and rodent activity in an area may also substantially favor colonization and aflatoxin production. Plant fertility, density, and disease also play roles in the level of aflatoxin contamination. 

Kira, T., H. Ogawa N. Sakazaki. 1953. Intraspecific competition among higher plants I. Competition-density yield interrelationship in regularly dispersed populations. J. Inst. Polytech. Osaka City Univ. D4 l-16. 

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