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. 2020 Nov:150:104351.
doi: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2020.104351.

Field efficacy of two atoxigenic biocontrol products for mitigation of aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut in Ghana

Daniel Agbetiameh  1   2 , Alejandro Ortega-Beltran  1 , Richard T Awuah  2 , Joseph Atehnkeng  1 , Abuelgasim Elzein  1 , Peter J Cotty  3   4 , Ranajit Bandyopadhyay  1
Affiliations

Field efficacy of two atoxigenic biocontrol products for mitigation of aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut in Ghana

Daniel Agbetiameh et al. Biol Control. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Biological control is one of the recommended methods for aflatoxin mitigation. Biocontrol products must be developed, and their efficacy demonstrated before widespread use. Efficacy of two aflatoxin biocontrol products, Aflasafe GH01 and Aflasafe GH02, were evaluated in 800 maize and groundnut farmers' fields during 2015 and 2016 in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions of Ghana. Both products were developed after an extensive examination of fungi associated with maize and groundnut in Ghana. Each product contains as active ingredient fungi four Aspergillus flavus isolates belonging to atoxigenic African Aspergillus Vegetative Compatibility Groups (AAVs) widely distributed across Ghana. An untreated field was maintained for each treated field to determine product efficacy. Proportions of atoxigenic AAVs composing each product were assessed in soils before product application, and soils and grains at harvest. Significant (P < 0.05) displacement of toxigenic fungi occurred in both crops during both years, in all five regions. Biocontrol-treated crops consistently had significantly (P < 0.05) less aflatoxins (range = 76% to 100% less; average = 99% less) than untreated crops. Results indicate that both biocontrol products are highly efficient, cost-effective, environmentally safe tools for aflatoxin mitigation. Most crops from treated fields could have been sold in both local and international food and feed premium markets. Adoption and use of biocontrol products have the potential to improve the health of Ghanaians, and both income and trade opportunities of farmers, aggregators, distributors, and traders.

Keywords: Aflatoxin; Biocontrol; Efficacy; Ghana; Groundnut; Maize.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors receive no direct financial benefit from the biocontrol technology described in this work. Initial patents for use of atoxigenic strains to prevent aflatoxin contamination were filed in 1988 and awarded by the US patent office to the US Department of Agriculture in 1992 and 1994 with Peter Cotty as the inventor. The patent protection has expired. The manufacturing process for and the nature of compositions of Aflasafe GH01 and Aflasafe GH02, the biocontrol products discussed in the current work, are not patented and are used for several atoxigenic strain-based products that differ primarily in the active ingredient genotypes based on counry of deployment. In addition to the Ghana Aflasafe products, these products include other products bearing the Aflasafe name (e.g., Aflasafe, Aflasafe SN01, Aflasafe KE01, etc.), AF36 Prevail in the US, and AF X-1 in Italy (Mauro et al., 2015; Bandyopadhyay et al., 2016; Ortega-Beltran and Bandyopadhyay, 2019; Senghor et al., 2020). The fungal isolates used as active ingredients of Aflasafe GH01 and Aflasafe GH02 are considered a portion of the bioresources of Ghana and, as such, are not patented. However, atoxigenic genotypes suitable for biocontrol applications have been found in all regions where active ingredients have been sought (Bandyopadhyay et al., 2016). The Aflasafe name is a Trademark of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). During 2019, IITA manufactured Aflasafe GH02 and gave temporary rights for distribution in Ghana to private companies. Manufacturing and distribution of Aflasafe products in Ghana is expected to be transferred to the private sector during 2020. IITA will charge a licensing fee to the manufacturer for use of the Aflasafe name and associated technology transfer. Ranajit Bandyopadhyay, Alejandro Ortega-Beltran, and Joseph Atehnkeng are currently employed by IITA.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Map of Ghana indicating regions where efficacies of two biocontrol products were tested for aflatoxin mitigation in maize and groundnut during 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Farmers applying biocontrol products for aflatoxin mitigation in A) maize and B) groundnut fields in Ghana.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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