ARS | Publication request: POST-HARVEST AFLATOXIN ACCUMULATION IN TRANSGENIC PEANUT LINES CONTAINING ANTI-FUNGAL GENES

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 1, 2004
Publication Date: August 1, 2004
Citation: Chenault, K.D., Melouk, H.A., Holbrook Jr, C.C. 2004. Post-harvest aflatoxin accumulation in transgenic peanut lines containing anti-fungal genes [abstract]. Phytopathology. 94:S18.

Technical Abstract: The fungus Aspergillus flavus is one of several Aspergillus species which produces aflatoxins upon colonization of cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Aflatoxins are carcinogenic to humans and other animals and the accumulation of these toxins on peanut kernels can influence product marketing. Pre- and post-harvest aflatoxin accumulation of peanut are influenced by many factors making the management of aflatoxin contamination in peanut very complex. The problem of aflatoxin management could be solved if peanut cultivars were resistant to A. flavus colonization. In this study, seven peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) lines containing anti-fungal transgenes and three runner cultivars (Okrun, Georgia Green, and Tifton 8) were evaluated in field plots in Tifton, Georgia, for their levels of post-harvest aflatoxin contamination (PAC) upon colonization by the fungus Aspergillus flavus. Georgia Green demonstrated the highest level of resistance to PAC followed by genotypes Tifton 8, K24, and K34. Transgenic genotypes K24 and K34 also accumulated significantly less toxin than their parent genotype Okrun. These data confirm that at least two of the transgenic genotypes tested may have useful resistance to A. flavus.