The center of origin of peanut is located in South America, specifically in southeastern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina, where its parental species are found in wild habits. Even though Argentina is only the seventh largest producer of peanut in the world (2% of global production), it is the leading exporter of edible grain and crushed (e.g., flour, butter, and oil) peanut products worldwide. Peanut production was moved to more southern areas of Cordoba in the early 1990s to avoid the consequences of production issues in the northern region. During this migration process, a new disease emerged in commercial plots: peanut smut caused by Thecaphora frezii. Peanut smut was first detected in the northern peanut producing areas in Córdoba Province, and then established on the central region where the main grain processing industries are located. Currently, the prevalence is 100% in Argentinian peanut area. This finding showed evidence that pathogens could also migrate along with peanut production activities and contaminate soil of new production areas.
Thecaphora frezii was first reported in 1962 in wild peanut from Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. In Argentina, it was first detected in 1995 in commercial crops from the central-northern area of Córdoba province. The fungus can survive in the soil as teliospores. When peanut gynophore penetrates the soil, their exudates disrupt telial dormancy; T. frezii penetrates and colonizes the tissues and replaces the cells with teliospores. Since its first report, peanut smut prevalence has gradually increased in peanut areas to reach a 100% in 2012. Currently, it is the most important peanut disease in Argentina, not only for its destructive power on crop but also for its quick spread throughout the growing region of Córdoba and the lack of effective tools for its management. It is important for additional research to find effective agronomical practice that reaches high control efficiencies. The collaboration of all those involved in Argentinian peanut production systems is necessary for the management of peanut smut to be successful.
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