Abstract
Aflatoxin contamination of maize grain is a huge economic and health problem, causing death and increased disease burden in much of the developing world and income loss in the developed world. Despite the gravity of the problem, deployable solutions are still being sought. In the past 15 years, much progress has been made in creating resistant maize inbred lines; mapping of genetic factors associated with resistance; and identifying possible resistance mechanisms. This review highlights this progress, most of which has occurred since the last time a review was published on this topic. Many of the needs highlighted in the last reviews have been addressed, and several solutions, taken together, can now greatly reduce the aflatoxin problem in maize grain. Continued research will soon lead to further solutions, which promise to further reduce and even eliminate the problem completely.
Highlights
Introduction to the Problem the detrimental health effects of aflatoxins and grain contamination have been known for over 50 years [1,2,3,4,5], a satisfactory solution has yet to be attained, from either a health or economic point of view
quantitative trait loci (QTL) from resistant lines Mp715 and Mp313E that are being used to develop near isogenic lines (NILs) for independent validation of phenotypic effect are marked in red highlight
Validation will give breeders the confidence necessary to begin large scale plant improvement via marker assisted selection with these genes. These first large scale surveys of the genetic, genomic, and proteomic landscapes are an excellent first look at the possible genes contributing to A. flavus infection or aflatoxin accumulation resistance, they typically generate a long list of differentially expressed or associated genes and proteins, many of which will prove to have nothing to do with resistance
Summary
The detrimental health effects of aflatoxins and grain contamination have been known for over 50 years [1,2,3,4,5], a satisfactory solution has yet to be attained, from either a health or economic point of view. The more recent reviews by Gorman and Kang [7]; Brown et al [10]; and Moreno and Kang [11] highlighted the need for new sources of resistant germplasm, which have since been identified. QTL mapping was called for, and several mapping studies and one meta-analysis have presented the genetic architecture of aflatoxin resistance in maize in many of the most resistant lines. Other suggestions as to specific genetic mechanisms of resistance, tools to study the problem including laboratory assays and simpler inoculation procedures, nixtamalization and chemical remediation treatments, have not yet contributed to appreciable progress outside of a limited scope. All information, taken together, and added to new proteomic, genomic, and genetic studies, is beginning to fill in the larger picture of this very complicated disease problem of maize and other oil-seed crops
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