Aflatoxin

Scientific name: Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus
Causal organism: Fungus
Common names: Aspergillus boll rot of cotton, Aspergillus corn ear rot, Yellow mold of peanut, Storage rot

Host plants

Corn, cotton, peanut, and tree nuts are the preferred hosts but will also infect cowpea, mungbean, onion, pigeon pea, rice, sorghum, soybean, string beans, wheat, and other crops

Affected plant parts

The whole plant and the stored seeds

Affected plant stages

All growth stages

Symptoms

Infected plant is stunted. The leaves have abnormal colors and the lesions have fungal growth.

Infected seeds have gray-green or greenish-yellow molds, are discolored, and rotten. When they are used for sowing, they have a very poor germination rate.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical by-product from the fungal growth of the Aspergillus flavus on infected crops. It is toxic to animals, poultry, and humans. It can cause hepatocellular carcinoma, one of the most common cancers on humans in developing tropical countries.

Conditions that favor development

1. Monocropping. When peanut, corn, or cotton is continuously planted in the same area for several years, there is a high risk of aflatoxin development in the field
2. Plants that are water-stressed
3. Infected seeds used for planting
4. High moisture content on the stored crop
5. Poor aeration in the storage area

Prevention and control

1. Proper cultivars and seed selection
2. Timely planting
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3. Proper soil management
4. Following the recommended planting distance
5. Control of field insect pests like that allow infection
6. Timely harvesting. For corn, harvest the cobs when they are fully mature, when all the leaves of the plant turn yellow. For peanut, separate the broken kernels
7. Proper drying and storage. Grains must have 11-14% moisture content to prevent aflatoxin development for storage longer than 1 year. For peanut, moisture content should be below 8%.
8. Storage area must be well aerated
9. Control the storage pests
10. Basil extract

External links

• Payne, G. Aspergillus flavus research programs. http://www.aspergillusflavus.org/

References

• CABI. (2001): Crop protection compendium. Global module, 3rd edition. CAB International Publishing. Wallingford, UK.
• CABI. (2004): Crop protection compendium. 2004 Edition. CAB International Publishing. Wallingford, UK.
• Waliyar, F. (2000): Managing aflatoxin in groundnuts. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi- Arid Tropics, ICRISAT. Andhra Pradesh, India.