ARS | Publication request: Assessment of biocontrol strains for reduction of mycotoxins (aflatoxin and CPA) in maize

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 29, 2010
Publication Date: December 1, 2010
Citation: Abbas, H.K., Zablotowicz, R.M., Horn, B.W., Weaver, M.A., Jin, X. 2010. Assessment of biocontrol strains for reduction of mycotoxins (aflatoxin and CPA) in maize. Meeting Abstract.Book of Abstracts and Programme, Global Mycotoxin Reduction Strategies: Asia and Pacific Rim. Page 65.

Technical Abstract: Aspergillus flavus strains K49, NRRL 21882 (from Afla-Guard®) and AF36 are being developed as biocontrol agents for the control of aflatoxin in maize. In this study, the three non-aflatoxigenic strains were compared to evaluate which is most effective in reducing aflatoxin. Also, we tested these strains for reduction of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), another toxic compound produced by A. flavus. Four sets of experiments were conducted in the field between 2007 to 2009 to assess the competitiveness of non-aflatoxigenic strains when challenged against toxigenic strains using a pin-bar inoculation technique. In three sets of experiments, K49 effectively displaced toxigenic strains at various concentrations or combinations. The fourth study compared the relative competitiveness of K49, NRRL 21882, and AF36 when challenged on maize against two aflatoxin- and CPA-producing strains (K54 and F3W4). These studies indicate that both K49 and NRRL 21882 are superior to AF36 in reducing aflatoxin contamination. Neither K49 nor NRRL 21882 produce CPA and when challenged with K54 and F3W4, both CPA and aflatoxins were greatly reduced. However, AF36 produces CPA and consequently high levels of CPA accumulated when maize was inoculated with AF36 alone or in combination with K54 or F3W4. These results indicate that under these experimental assays, K49 may be equally effective as NRRL 21882 in reducing both aflatoxin and CPA in maize.