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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #179856
Title: RESISTANCE MECHANISMS TO ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS INFECTION AND AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION IN PEANUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA)

Author
item LIANG, X - GUANGDONG, CHINA
item LUO, M - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item Guo, Baozhu

Submitted to: Plant Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/26/2005
Publication Date: 1/1/2006
Citation: Liang, X.Q., Luo, M., Guo, B.Z. 2006. Resistance mechanisms to Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination in peanut (Arachis hypogaea). Plant Pathology Journal. 5(1):115-124.

Interpretive Summary: Preharvest aflatoxin contamination in peanut is a serious and world-wide problem concerning food safety and human health. Aflatoxin contamination is known to be influenced by numerous factors. Drought and heat are conducive to Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination. Breeding the resistant cultivars is considered the most effective approach to eliminate aflatoxin accumulation in peanut. Screening, identification, and field evaluation of germplasm for resistant traits are important techniques. Resistance mechanism in peanut to aflatoxin contamination has been studied for nearly 30 years. Some resistance mechanisms and resistant factors have been reported to contribute to the resistance to A. flavus, but no effective efforts have been made to breed for these traits. This information on the mechanisms to resistance traits might not be fully understandable or they are highly influenced by environmental variation. As limited progress has been made in the molecular aspects, future researches are expected to provide a comprehensive understanding of the functions of peanut genes using gene expression analysis tools. The risk of aflatoxin contamination could be prevented before the contaminated grains get into the food chain.

Technical Abstract: Preharvest aflatoxin contamination in peanut is a serious and world-wide problem concerning food safety and human health. Aflatoxin contamination is known to be influenced by numerous factors. Drought and high temperatures are conducive to Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination. Plant-host resistance is a highly desirable tactic that can be used to manage this problem. Screening, identification, and field evaluation of germplasm for resistant traits are important techniques. This review summarizes research progress in the area of host resistance mechanisms to aflatoxin contamination in peanut. Resistance mechanism in peanut to aflatoxin contamination has been studied for nearly 30 years. Some resistance mechanisms and resistant factors have been reported to contribute to the resistance to aflatoxin-producing fungi, but no effective efforts have been made to breed for these traits because the mechanisms to resistance traits might not be still fully understood. Future researches are expected to use advanced biotechnology to understand the comprehensive mechanisms governing the resistance pathways in order to use the information in breeding programs for crop improvement and control of preharvest aflatoxin contamination. The risk of aflatoxin contamination could be prevented before the contaminated grains get into the food chain.