ARS | Publication request: Emerging Technologies for Reducing Aflatoxin in Corn

Submitted to: Louisiana Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 8, 2006
Publication Date: September 1, 2006
Citation: Moore, S.H., Damonn, K.E., Mascagni, Jr, H.J., Abbas, H.K. 2006. Emerging Technologies for Reducing Aflatoxin in Corn. Louisiana Agriculture. 49(4):23-24.

Interpretive Summary: Aflatoxin is a dangerous chemical that is produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus. This contaminates corn, especially in the south, and has caused disease and economic losses, especially in the south. Collaboration with other scientists has led to new strategies to reduce aflatoxin in corn. These included new hybrids of corn that are resistant to aflatoxin, application of a herbicide called Liberty at corn silking, and use of strains of Aspergillus that do not produce aflatoxin (atoxigenic). These strategies should enable recommendations to growers to control this dangerous toxin in corn.

Technical Abstract: Progress is being made in evaluating and incorporating new technologies to reduce aflatoxin contamination in Louisiana corn fields. It may be that no single technology will be sufficient to maintain aflatoxin at acceptable levels. However; it could be that a combination of two or more technologies might provide acceptable control. The outlook is brighter today than five years ago that Louisiana corn producers will soon have more tools to combat aflatoxin contamination.