Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Genetics and Breeding Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #270567
Title: Association between aflatoxin contamination and N2 fixation in peanut under drought conditions

Author
item ARUNYANARK, A - Kasetsart University
item PIMRATCH, S - Khon Kaen University
item JOGLOY, S - Khon Kaen University
item WONGKAEW, S - Suranaree University Of Technology
item VORASOOT, N - Khon Kaen University
item AKKASAENG, C - Khon Kaen University
item KESMALA, T - Khon Kaen University
item PATANOTHAI, A - Khon Kaen University
item Holbrook, Carl - Corley

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Production Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2012
Publication Date: 4/1/2012
Citation: Arunyanark, A., Pimratch, S., Jogloy, S., Wongkaew, S., Vorasoot, N., Akkasaeng, C., Kesmala, T., Patanothai, A., Holbrook Jr, C.C. 2012. Association between aflatoxin contamination and N2 fixation in peanut under drought conditions. Journal of Plant Production. 6:161-172.

Interpretive Summary: Aflatoxin contamination is the most important quality problem in peanuts throughout the world as it is related to serious health problems in humans as well as in livestock. Research has suggested that drought tolerance in peanut may have the potential to be used as an indirect selection criterion for resistance to preharvest aflatoxin contamination as drought tolerant lines generally display lower levels of aflatoxin contamination. The ability of peanut to maintain high nitrogen fixation under water limited conditions might be a mechanism of tolerance to drought stress. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between nitrogen fixations traits and aflatoxin contamination under different drought stress conditions. Eleven peanut genotypes were evaluated under three water regimes for two seasons in the field. Total nitrogen content, nitrogen fixation and its related traits had negative and significant effects on kernel infection and aflatoxin contamination especially under drought conditions. The results indicate that the ability to maintain high nitrogen fixation under drought conditions of peanut genotypes can result in better resistance to aflatoxin contamination.

Technical Abstract: Traits related to nitrogen fixation may be used as indirect selection criteria for aflatoxin resistance in peanut. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between N2 fixation traits and aflatoxin contamination in peanut under different drought conditions. Eleven peanut genotypes were evaluated under three water regimes for two seasons in the field. Data were observed on kernel infection by Aspergillus flavus, aflatoxin contamination, total nitrogen content, N2 fixation and its related traits viz. nodule number, nodule dry weight and nitrogenese activity. Drought stress reduced total nitrogen content and N2 fixation, but it increased kernel infection and aflatoxin contamination. Total nitrogen content, N2 fixation and its related traits had negative and significant effects on kernel infection and aflatoxin contamination especially under drought conditions. In addition, negative correlations between kernel infection and aflatoxin contamination with drought tolerance index (DTI) of N2 fixation traits were also found. The results indicated that the ability to maintain high N2 fixation under drought conditions of peanut genotypes can result in better resistance to aflatoxin contamination.