Evaluation of bacteria and Trichoderma for biocontrol of pre-harvest seed infection by Aspergillus flavus in groundnut

• Published in: Biocontrol science and technology Vol. 16; no. 3-4; pp. 431 - 436
• Main Authors: Anjaiah, V, Thakur, R.P, Koedam, N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01-02-2006
• Subjects: Aflatoxin; aflatoxins; Arachis; Arachis hypogaea; Aspergillus flavus; Bacillus; Bacillus (bacteria); biocontrol; biological control; field crops; fluorescent Pseudomonas; food contamination; fungal antagonists; fungal diseases of plants; peanuts; pods; preharvest treatment; Pseudomonas; seeds; Trichoderma; Trichoderma spp; India
• ISSN: 0958-3157; 1360-0478
• DOI: 10.1080/09583150500532337

Pre- and post harvest aflatoxin contamination of groundnut caused by Aspergillus flavus is a major problem in the semi-arid tropics. Fluorescent Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Trichoderma spp. potentially antagonistic to A. flavus were isolated from the geocarposphere (pod-zone) of groundnut and used successfully for the control of pre-harvest groundnut seed infection by A. flavus. In greenhouse and field experiments, inoculation of selected antagonistic strains on groundnut resulted in significant reduction of seed infection by A. flavus, and it also reduced >50% of the A. flavus populations (as cfu) in the geocarposphere of groundnut.