Competitive exclusion of aflatoxin producers: farmer-driven research and development.

Abstract

Aflatoxins are highly toxic, cancer-causing chemicals produced by fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus. Aspergillus flavus is the most important causal agent of crop aflatoxin contamination. We developed a strategy for preventing aflatoxin contamination based on the use of naturally occurring isolates of A. flavus that lack aflatoxin-producing ability (atoxigenic strains). The atoxigenic strains displace aflatoxin producers during crop development and infection and thereby reduce contamination. Although significant single-season effects are achieved, the greatest potential is for long-term and area-wide influences. This chapter discusses the history of development and commercialization of atoxigenic strains.