Abstract
Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by soilborne saprophytic fungus Aspergillus flavus and closely related species that infect several agricultural commodities including groundnut and maize. The consumption of contaminated commodities adversely affects the health of humans and livestock. Aflatoxin contamination also causes significant economic and financial losses to producers. Research efforts and significant progress have been made in the past three decades to understand the genetic behavior, molecular mechanisms, as well as the detailed biology of host-pathogen interactions. A range of omics approaches have facilitated better understanding of the resistance mechanisms and identified pathways involved during host-pathogen interactions. Most of such studies were however undertaken in groundnut and maize. Current efforts are geared toward harnessing knowledge on host-pathogen interactions and crop resistant factors that control aflatoxin contamination. This study provides a summary of the recent progress made in enhancing the understanding of the functional biology and molecular mechanisms associated with host-pathogen interactions during aflatoxin contamination in groundnut and maize.
Highlights
Aflatoxins are teratogenic, carcinogenic and immunosuppressive secondary metabolites produced by several Aspergillus section Flavi species (Frisvad et al, 2019)
While discussing the progress made in understanding the resistance mechanisms of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut and maize using multidisciplinary approaches, the paper elaborates on several QTLs, genes, pathways and complex genetic architecture of the target trait
Aflatoxin management strategies have centered around the use of good agricultural practices during pre-and post-harvest stages, including the use of biocontrol agents in countries where they are available to farmers
Summary
Aflatoxins are teratogenic, carcinogenic and immunosuppressive secondary metabolites produced by several Aspergillus section Flavi species (Frisvad et al, 2019). While discussing the progress made in understanding the resistance mechanisms of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut and maize using multidisciplinary approaches, the paper elaborates on several QTLs, genes, pathways and complex genetic architecture of the target trait.
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