Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #375741
Research Project: Novel Methods for Controlling Trichothecene Contamination of Grain and Improving the Climate Resilience of Food Safety and Security Programs

Location: Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research

Title: Understanding the dynamic ecological interactions that influence mycotoxin contamination of grains

Author
item Vaughan, Martha
item McCormick, Susan
item Proctor, Robert

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/16/2020
Publication Date: 11/19/2020
Citation: Vaughan, M.M., McCormick, S.P., Proctor, R. 2020. Understanding the dynamic ecological interactions that influence mycotoxin contamination of grains[abstract].

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Mycotoxin contamination of cereals is a complex ecological problem that is challenging to control because it is dependent on multiple dynamic interacting factors. The genetic potential of crop resistance is contingent on abiotic and biotic environmental factors that influence induced defense-signaling pathways. Mycotoxins are also produced by diverse fungal pathogens whose prevalence, virulence, and aggressiveness vary and are also influenced by other abiotic and biotic factors. To fully understand the dynamic plant- fungal pathogen -environment interactions that drive mycotoxin contamination and develop climate resilient and disease/mycotoxin-resistant crops, a combined interdisciplinary research effort is needed. Using an interdisciplinary ecological approach, the USDA, ARS, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology (MPM) Research Unit in Peoria, IL, is unraveling the genetic diversity of Fusarium mycotoxins and investigating the impact of climate change on crop -Fusarium pathogen interactions to develop sustainable climate resilient mycotoxin control strategies.