Location: Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research
Title: Understanding the dynamic ecological interactions that influence mycotoxin contamination of grainsAuthor
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. |