An official website of the United States government.
<OL> <LI> Develop economical, practical, and effective formulations for delivery of aflatoxin biocontrol organisms to the field; <LI>Obtain EPA registration of an aflatoxin biopesticide and implement its use in commercial peanut production; <LI>Characterize the toxigenicity and pathogenicity of native Aspergillus populations and identify more aggressive competitors against naturally occurring strains; <LI>Develop peanut cultivars with enhanced resistance to mycotoxin contamination.
Investigate alternatives to classical solid state fermentation techniques that will result in a less expensive process that will provide an affordable formulation to peanut farmers. Test a variety of suitable substrates and different methods of combining substrate and organism that will negate much of the cost associated with solid state fermentation technology. Work with companies that have the capacity to produce and distribute a biocontrol product to obtain EPA registration of an aflatoxin biopesticide. Design and conduct any large-scale field trials that may be necessary under an experimental use permit. Test new Aspergillus isolates for production of toxins and unacceptable precursors to aflatoxin in order to identify potentially more aggressive biocontrol strains. Test new breeding lines of peanut in our environmental control plot facility for enhanced resistance to preharvest aflatoxin contamination.