2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Develop methods to manage aflatoxins in maize production with emphasis on techniques that are useful in the U.S. and Africa. To select and characterize optimal biological control agents for the prevention of aflatoxins in maize and rotation crops and to develop protocols for optimization of biological control of aflatoxin contamination. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) In collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, and collaborators in the target country, biological control agents will be selected, characterized, and assessed for efficacy. Researchers and students from target countries will be trained and provide the majority of the research labor. Strains will be evaluated in laboratories and in field tests in Africa. The use and optimization of mixtures of biological control agents will be determined; optimal procedures for effecting both single season and long-term reductions in contamination in diverse agronomic systems including monocropping, co-cropping, and rotation cropping systems will be developed. Inexpensive methods for production and dissemination of agents and optimal agronomic practices for reducing contamination with the biological controls will be developed. 3.Progress Report This work is performed in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) laboratories at the University of Arizona. Since inception of the project in September 2010, we have collaborated with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to select atoxigenic strains for use in several African nations. Efforts to improve formulations of atoxigenics strains of Aspergillus (A.) flavus for biological control of several target crops have proceeded with several formulations that may provide for less expensive end use products the manufacture of which will be compatible with infrastructure both in Africa and the United States. ARS last visited the IITA station in Ibadan, Nigeria, in March. The collaboration between IITA and ARS at the University of Arizona is maintained through exchange visits, computer based communications, and teleconferences.