Effect of geocarposphere temperature on pre-harvest colonization of drought-stressed peanuts by Aspergillus flavus and subsequent aflatoxin contamination

Abstract

Florunner peanuts grown in research plots were subjected to 5 soil temperature and moisture treatment regimes resulting in A. flavus infestation and subsequent aflatoxin contamination in drought-stressed peanuts. Treatments imposed beginning 85 days after planting were drought, drought with heated soil and 3 drought treatments with cooled soil. The incidence of A. flavus in drought-stressed, unshelled , sound mature kernels ( SMK ) decreased with decreases in the mean 5 cm deep soil temperature. The incidence of A. flavus was greater in inedible categories and in damaged kernels than in SMK . The mean, threshold, geocarposphere temperature required for aflatoxin development during the latter part of the peanut growth cycle was found to be between 25.7 degrees C and 27 degrees C.