HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Angle, J. S. Articles by Wagner, G. H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Angle, J. S. Articles by Wagner, G. H. Agricola Articles by Angle, J. S. Articles by Wagner, G. H.

Effect of Cultural Practices on the Soil Population of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus¹

ABSTRACT

Aflatoxin is a highly toxic compound and potent carcinogen produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Corn infected by these organisms is frequently contaminated with aflatoxin. The infection of corn by A. flavus and A. parasiticus often occurs while the crop is still in the field. Because A. flavus and A. parasiticus are indigenous soil inhabitants, the soil is an important source of inoculum.

This study was undertaken to quantify the population of A. flavus and A. parasiticus in soil and the ability of these organisms to produce aflatoxin. Soils under 11 different cultural systems were examined to determine the effects of the different practices on A. flavus and A. parasiticus.

The maximum number of A. flavus and A. parasiticus propagules was found in soil cropped to a rotation of wheat, red clover, and corn using conventional tillage practices. In this soil, which had also been amended with manure, the count of A. flavus was 68 and that of A. parasiticus was 211 propagules per gram of dry soil. No A. flavus or A. parasiticus isolates were observed in a virgin prairie soil. Of all isolates observed from all cropping systems, 43% were A. flavus while 57% were A. parasiticus. The ability of the different isolates to produce aflatoxin varied significantly. In general, however, A. parasiticus isolates exhibited a greater ability to produce aflatoxin than did A. flavus.

¹ Contribution from the Dep. of Agronomy, Missouri Agric. Exp. Stn., Missouri Journal no. 8,751. Approved by the Director.

² Graduate Research Assistants and Professor of Agronomy, University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Angle is currently Assistant Professor of Agronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, Md.

Received for publication January 26, 1981. Accepted for publication October 29, 1981.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. W. Horn Colonization of wounded peanut seeds by soil fungi: selectivity for species from Aspergillus section Flavi Mycologia, January 1, 2005; 97(1): 202 - 217. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]