Ames, Iowa, USA
September 23, 2025
When the journal Phytopathology released a special edition celebrating landmark studies that have had a sustained impact on plant disease research, one name again rose to prominence for Iowa State University: Dr. Gary Munkvold, Seed Pathology Professor at the Seed Science Center (SSC) and the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology (PPEM).
His 1997 paper, together with entomologist Rick Hellmich, “Reduced Fusarium Ear Rot and Symptomless Infection in Kernels of Maize Genetically Engineered for European Corn Borer Resistance,” was recognized as groundbreaking work that altered perceptions in both maize pathology and crop biotechnology. The study has since been cited more than 400 times, underscoring its wide-ranging impact across disciplines. Nearly three decades later, it remains a cornerstone for scientists, farmers, and regulators across the globe.
Redefining Resistance and Food Safety
The study provided the earliest, clear evidence that Bt maize, a genetically engineered crop designed to resist European corn borer, also dramatically reduced Fusarium ear rot and the fumonisin mycotoxins associated with the disease.
“This was the first published study demonstrating that insect-resistant maize hybrids could provide indirect but powerful protection against fungal infection and mycotoxin contamination,” said Munkvold. “It broadened the conversation from yield protection to food and feed safety in a way that hadn’t existed before.”
The implications were immediate and far-reaching: by reducing insect injury, Bt maize reduced or nearly eliminated a major pathway through which fungi invade kernels. This not only improved grain quality but also helped safeguard livestock feed and human food from fumonisin exposure, a toxin with serious health risks.
Setting Global Standards
The impact of Munkvold’s work went far beyond Iowa’s cornfields. His research informed risk assessments, regulatory approvals, and industry standards for genetically engineered crops, influencing adoption decisions in the U.S. and internationally.
“Dr. Munkvold’s research showed that biotechnology could do more than protect yield, it could also protect public health,” said Dr. Manjit Misra, former Director of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and retired Director of the Seed Science Center. “That insight has guided agricultural policy, food safety standards, and seed industry practices for nearly 30 years.”
The study’s legacy can be seen in many follow-up studies across the globe, integrated pest management strategies, and ongoing breeding programs that combine insect resistance with fungal and toxin management. Today, fumonisin levels in commercial maize are significantly lower in regions where Bt maize has been widely adopted—a testament to the foresight of this research.
A Lasting Legacy
The Phytopathology editorial board highlighted Munkvold’s 1997 paper for its enduring impact on both science and society. “These papers continue to influence the field in meaningful ways even decades after publication,” the editors wrote.
For Iowa State, the recognition reinforces the university’s long tradition of leadership in seed science and plant pathology.
“Our work in plant pathology has always been about solving real-world problems for farmers and the entire agriculture and food systems,” Munkvold reflected. “It’s gratifying to know that what we discovered almost 30 years ago is still benefiting people, livestock, and crops today.”
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