Research Project: Improved Environmental and Crop Safety by Modification of the Aspergillus flavus Population Structure

Location: Pest Management and Biocontrol Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Distribution of G143A mutations conferring fungicide resistance in Virginia populations of Parastagonospora nodorum infecting wheat - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kaur, N., Mehl, H.L. 2022. Distribution of G143A mutations conferring fungicide resistance in Virginia populations of Parastagonospora nodorum infecting wheat. Plant Health Progress. 23(1):28-32. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-05-21-0082-RS.

Temperature influences on interactions among aflatoxigenic species of aspergillus section flavi during maize colonization - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ching'Anda, C., Atehnkeng, J., Bandyopadhyay, R., Callicott, K.A., Orbach, M.J., Cotty, P.J., Mehl, H.L. 2021. Temperature influences on interactions among aflatoxigenic species of aspergillus section flavi during maize colonization. Frontiers in Fungal Biology. 2. Article 720276. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffunb.2021.720276.

Identifying optimal wavelengths as disease signatures using hyperspectral sensor and machine learning - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wei, X., Aguilera, M., Langston, D.B., Mehl, H.L., Li, S. 2021. Identifying optimal wavelengths as disease signatures using hyperspectral sensor and machine learning. Remote Sensing. 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13142833.

Conservation and loss of a putative iron utilization gene cluster among genotypes of aspergillus flavus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Adhikari, B.N., Callicott, K.A., Cotty, P.J. 2021. Conservation and loss of a putative iron utilization gene cluster among genotypes of aspergillus flavus. Microorganisms. 9(1). Article 137. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9010137.

Distribution of active ingredients of a commercial aflatoxin biocontrol product in naturally occurring fungal communities across Kenya - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Islam, M.S., Callicott, K.A., Mutegi, C., Bandyopadhyay, R., Cotty, P.J. 2020. Distribution of active ingredients of a commercial aflatoxin biocontrol product in naturally occurring fungal communities across Kenya. Microbial Biotechnology. 14(4):1331-1342. https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.13708.

Phenotypic differentiation of two morphologically similar aflatoxin producers from West Africa - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Singh, P., Callicott, K.A., Orbach, M., Cotty, P.J., Mehl, H.L. 2020. Phenotypic differentiation of two morphologically similar aflatoxin producers from West Africa. Toxins. 12(10). Article 656. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins12100656.

Field efficacy of two atoxigenic biocontrol products for mitigation of aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut in Ghana - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Founder events influence structures of Aspergillus flavus populations - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ortega-Beltran, A., Callicott, K.A., Cotty, P.J. 2020. Founder events influence structures of Aspergillus flavus populations. Environmental Microbiology. 22(8):3522-3534. https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.15122.

Molecular analysis of S morphology aflatoxin producers from the United States reveals previously unknown diversity and two new taxa - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Singh, P., Callicott, K.A., Orbach, M.J., Cotty, P.J. 2020. Molecular analysis of S morphology aflatoxin producers from the United States reveals previously unknown diversity and two new taxa. Frontiers in Microbiology. 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.01236.

“Ground-truthing” efficacy of biological control for aflatoxin mitigation in farmers’ fields in Nigeria: from field trials to commercial usage, a 10-year study - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bandyopadhyay, R., Atehnkeng, J., Ortega-Beltran, A., Akande, A., Falade, T., Cotty, P.J. 2019. “Ground-truthing” efficacy of biological control for aflatoxin mitigation in farmers’ fields in Nigeria: from field trials to commercial usage, a 10-year study. Frontiers in Microbiology. 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.02528.

Monitoring Aspergillus flavus genotypes in a multi-genotype aflatoxin biocontrol product with quantitative pyrosequencing - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shenge, K.C., Adhikari, B.N., Akande, A., Callicott, K.A., Atehnkeng, J., Ortega-Beltran, A., Kumar, P., Bandyopadhyay, R., Cotty, P.J. 2019. Monitoring Aspergillus flavus genotypes in a multi-genotype aflatoxin biocontrol product with quantitative pyrosequencing. Frontiers in Microbiology. 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.02529.

Performance of broilers fed with maize colonized by either toxigenic or atoxigenic strains of aspergillus flavus with and without an aflatoxin-sequestering agent - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Aikore, S., Ortega-Beltran, A., Erubetine, D., Atehnkeng, J., Falade, T., Cotty, P.J., Bandyopadhyay, R. 2019. Performance of broilers fed with maize colonized by either toxigenic or atoxigenic strains of aspergillus flavus with and without an aflatoxin-sequestering agent. Toxins. 11(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins11100565.

Potential of atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus vegetative compatibility groups associated with maize and groundnut in Ghana as biocontrol agents for aflatoxin management - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Agbetiameh, D., Ortega-Beltran, A., Awuah, R.T., Atenhking, J., Islam, M.S., Callicott, K.A., Cotty, P.J., Bandyopadhyay, R. 2019. Potential of atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus vegetative compatibility groups associated with maize and groundnut in Ghana as biocontrol agents for aflatoxin management. Frontiers in Microbiology. 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.02069.

The atoxigenic biocontrol product Aflasafe SN01 is a valuable tool to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of both maize and groundnut cultivated in Senegal - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Senghor, L., Ortega-Beltran, A., Atehnkeng, J., Callicott, K.A., Cotty, P.J., Bandyopadhyay, R. 2019. The atoxigenic biocontrol product Aflasafe SN01 is a valuable tool to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of both maize and groundnut cultivated in Senegal. Plant Disease. 104(2):510-520. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-19-0575-RE.

Aflatoxin contamination of dried wild fruits in Zambia - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kachapulula, P.W., Bandyopadhyay, R., Cotty, P.J. 2019. Aflatoxin contamination of dried wild fruits in Zambia. Frontiers in Microbiology. 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.01840.

Aflatoxin in chili peppers in Nigeria: extent of contamination and control using atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus genotypes as biocontrol agents - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ezekiel, C., Ortega-Beltran, A., Oyedeji, E., Atehnkeng, J., Kossler, P., Tairu, F., Hoeschle-Zeledon, I., Karlovsky, P., Cotty, P.J., Bandypadhyay, R. 2019. Aflatoxin in chili peppers in Nigeria: extent of contamination and control using atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus genotypes as biocontrol agents. Toxins. 11(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins11070429.

Atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus isolates endemic to almond, fig, and pistachio orchards in California with potential to reduce aflatoxin contamination in these crops - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ortega-Beltran, A., Moral, J., Picot, A., Puckett, R.D., Cotty, P.J., Michaildes, T.J. 2019. Atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus isolates endemic to almond, fig, and pistachio orchards in California with potential to reduce aflatoxin contamination in these crops. Plant Disease. 103(5):905-912.

Characterization of Aspergillis from dried red chilies (Capsicum spp.): Insights into the etiology of aflatoxin contamination - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Singh, P., Cotty, P.J. 2019. Characterization of Aspergillis from dried red chilies (Capsicum spp.): Insights into the etiology of aflatoxin contamination. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 289:145-153.

Aspergillus texensis: A novel aflatoxin producer with S morphology from the United States - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Singh, P., Orbach, M.J., Cotty, P.J. 2018. Aspergillus texensis: A novel aflatoxin producer with S morphology from the United States. Toxins. 10(12):1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins10120513.

Comparative genomics of aspergillus flavus s and l morphotypes yield insights into niche adaptation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ohkura, M., Cotty, P.J., Orbach, M.J. 2018. Comparative genomics of aspergillus flavus s and l morphotypes yield insights into niche adaptation. G3, Genes/Genomes/Genetics. 8(12):3915-3930.

Prevalence and mitigation of aflatoxins in Kenya (1960-to-date) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Fungal communities associated with almond throughout crop development: implications for aflatoxin biocontrol management in California - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ortega-Beltran, A., Moral, J., Puckett, R.D., Morgan, D.P., Cotty, P.J., Michailides, T.J. 2018. Fungal communities associated with almond throughout crop development: implications for aflatoxin biocontrol management in California. PLoS One. 13(6):e0199127. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0199127.

Identifying and managing plant health risks for key African crops: maize - (Book / Chapter)

Aspergillus flavus resident in Kenya: High genetic diversity in an ancient population primarily shaped by clonal reproduction and mutation-driven evolution - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Islam, M.S., Callicott, K.A., Mutegi, C., Bandyopadhyay, R., Cotty, P.J. 2018. Aspergillus flavus resident in Kenya: High genetic diversity in an ancient population primarily shaped by clonal reproduction and mutation-driven evolution. Fungal Ecology. 35:20-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funeco.2018.05.012.

Aflatoxin in dried insects and fish in Zambia - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kachapulula, P.W., Akello, J., Bandyopadhyay, R., Cotty, P.J. 2018. Aflatoxin in dried insects and fish in Zambia. Journal of Food Protection. 81(9):1508-1518.

Biological control products for aflatoxin prevention in Italy: Commercial field evaluation of atoxigenic A.flavus active ingredients - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mauro, A., Garcia Cela, E., Cotty, P.J., Battilani, P. 2018. Biological control products for aflatoxin prevention in Italy: Commercial field evaluation of atoxigenic A.flavus active ingredients. Toxins. 10:1-14.

Distribution and incidence of atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus VCG in tree crop orchards in California: A strategy for identifying potential antagonists, the example of almonds - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Picot, A., Doster, M., Islam, M.S., Callicott, K.A., Cotty, P.J., Michalides, T., Ortega-Beltran, A. 2017. Distribution and incidence of atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus VCG in tree crop orchards in California: A strategy for identifying potential antagonists, the example of almonds. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 265:55-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2017.10.023.

Prevalence of aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut in Ghana: Population structure, distribution, and toxigenicity of the causal agents - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Agbetiameh, D., Ortega-Beltran, A., Awuah, R.T., Atehnkeng, J., Cotty, P.J., Bandyopadhyay, R. 2018. Prevalance of aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut in Ghana: Population structure, distribution, and toxigenicity of the causal agents. Plant Disease. 102(4):764-772.

Aspergillus section Flavi community structure in Zambia influences aflatoxin contamination of maize and groundnut - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kachapulula, P.W., Akello, J., Bandyopadhyay, R., Cotty, P.J. 2017. Aspergillus section Flavi community structure in Zambia influences aflatoxin contamination of maize and groundnut. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 261:49-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2017.08.014.

Controlling aflatoxins in maize in Africa: strategies, challenges and opportunities for improvement - (Book / Chapter)
Ayalew, A., Kimanya, M., Matumba, L., Bandyopadhayay, R., Menkir, A., Cotty, P.J. 2017. Controlling aflatoxins in maize in Africa: strategies, challenges and opportunities for improvement. In: Watson, D., editor. Achieving Sustainable Cultivation of Maize Cultivation Techniques, Pest, and Disease Control. Volume 2. Cambridge, UK: Burleigh Dodds Science. p. 1-24.

Aflatoxin contamination of dried red chilies: Contrasts between the United States and Nigeria, two markets differing in regulation enforcement - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Singh, P., Cotty, P.J. 2017. Aflatoxin contamination of dried red chilies: Contrasts between the United States and Nigeria, two markets differing in regulation enforcement. Food Control. 80:374-379.

Aflatoxin contamination of groundnut and maize in Zambia: observed and potential concentrations - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kachapulula, P.W., Akello, J., Bandyopadhyay, R., Cotty, P.J. 2017. Aflatoxin contamination of groundnut and maize in Zambia: observed and potential concentrations. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 122:1471-1482.

Area-wide programs for aflatoxin mitigation: treatment to cotton can be cost effective - (Proceedings)
Jamie, R., Liesner, L., Antilla, L., Mehl, H.L., Cotty, P.J. 2017. Area-wide programs for aflatoxin mitigation: treatment to cotton can be cost effective. In: Proceedings of National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference, January 4-6, 2017, Dallas, TX. p. 243-247.

Aflatoxin-free transgenic maize using host-induced gene silencing - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Thakare, D., Zhang, J., Wing, R.A., Cotty, P.J., Schmidt, M.A. 2017. Aflatoxin-free transgenic maize using host-induced gene silencing. Science Advances. 3(3):e1602382.

Biological control of aflatoxins in Africa: current status and potential challenges in the face of climate change - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bandyopadhyay, R., Ortega-Beltran, A., Akande, A., Mutegi, C., Atechnkeng, J., Kaptoge, L., Senghor, A.L., Adhikari, B.N., Cotty, P.J. 2016. Biological control of aflatoxins in Africa: current status and potential challenges in the face of climate change. World Mycotoxin Journal. 9(5):771-789.

Atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus endemic to Italy for biocontrol of aflatoxins in maize - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mauro, A., Battilani, P., Cotty, P.J. 2015. Atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus endemic to Italy for biocontrol of aflatoxins in maize. Biocontrol. 60:125-134.