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Title: INTRODUCTION: AFLATOXIN/FUMONISIN ELIMIINATION AND FUNGAL GENOMICS WORKSHOPS, PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Author
item Robens, Jane
item Riley, Ronald

Submitted to: Mycopathologia
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2002
Publication Date: 8/1/2002
Citation: ROBENS, J.F., RILEY, R.T. 2002. INTRODUCTION: AFLATOXIN/FUMONISIN ELIMIINATION AND FUNGAL GENOMICS WORKSHOPS, PHOENIX, ARIZONA. MYCOPATHOLOGIA. v.155. p.1-3.

Interpretive Summary: The purpose for the annual meeting is to highlight recent progress and ongoing USDA-ARS sponsored research to resolve the problem of fumonisin and aflatoxin contamination of US crops. Fungal Genomics Workshop. Scientific progress occurs most swiftly through the development of new paths of inquiry. Today that new path of inquiry is genomics. The workshop participants were agreed that a concerted effort should be made to obtain the complete genome sequence of Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium graminearum and F. verticillioides and that in host plants we must identify and develop the means to move resistance genes into important crops. 2nd Fumonisin Elimination Workshop. Fumonisins produced by F. verticillioides are primarily a problem in corn and they can co-occur with aflatoxin. Understanding the factors that control two mycotoxins occurring simultaneously and developing corn genotypes resistant to both mycotoxins will be extremely difficult. Strategies currently being investigated include the use of transgenic Bt corn, the search for resistant hybrids, development of improved management strategies, and improved screening methods. 14th Aflatoxin Elimination Workshop. Unlike fumonisin, which are only a problem in corn, aflatoxin contaminates many high oil content crops. Strategies currently being investigated include improved crop management, insect control, better understanding of fungal interactions, development of biological control strategies, breeding for resistance, development of improved resistance markers, genetic engineering for resistance and development of natural products that can prevent infection or disrupt toxin synthesis.

Technical Abstract: The purpose for the annual meeting is to highlight recent progress and ongoing USDA-ARS sponsored research to resolve the problem of fumonisin and aflatoxin contamination of US crops. Fungal Genomics Workshop. Scientific progress occurs most swiftly through the development of new paths of inquiry. Today that new path of inquiry is genomics. The workshop participants were agreed that a concerted effort should be made to obtain the complete genome sequence of Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium graminearum and F. verticillioides and that in host plants we must identify and develop the means to move resistance genes into important crops. 2nd Fumonisin Elimination Workshop. Fumonisins produced by F. verticillioides are primarily a problem in corn and they can co-occur with aflatoxin. Understanding the factors that control two mycotoxins occurring simultaneously and developing corn genotypes resistant to both mycotoxins will be extremely difficult. Strategies currently being investigated include the use of transgenic Bt corn, the search for resistant hybrids, development of improved management strategies, and improved screening methods. 14th Aflatoxin Elimination Workshop. Unlike fumonisin, which are only a problem in corn, aflatoxin contaminates many high oil content crops. Strategies currently being investigated include improved crop management, insect control, better understanding of fungal interactions, development of biological control strategies, breeding for resistance, development of improved resistance markers, genetic engineering for resistance and development of natural products that can prevent infection or disrupt toxin synthesis.