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Abstract

Special Session: Novel Technologies for Aflatoxin Detection. One of the unique features of this year's workshop was the inclusion of a special paper session reporting research on novel methods for rapid detection of aflatoxins in commodities. These methods could play a role in pre-harvest detection/predictive strategies or post-harvest detection strategies. Protocols for grain sampling to determine aflatoxin levels have been available for several years for most affected commodities, however, they are expensive and time consuming in both the amount of product used and the labor and material expenses of testing. In addition, the number of false positives and false negatives may be unacceptably high, particularly when large volumes of product are involved. Thus, too much unacceptable product may be passed, or conversely, valuable commodity may be unnecessarily declared unacceptable for human use. Non-destructive yet rapid techniques creatively deployed during assessment might significantly enhance accuracy, even to the satisfaction of buyers, growers, and the public alike.15th Aflatoxin Elimination Workshop. Crop management and handling strategies can make important contributions reducing aflatoxin contamination of commodities, especially in tree nuts and figs. However, significant control of the aflatoxin problem also requires the use of other strategies such as conventional breeding, genetic engineering, or biological control. Large-scale trials in Arizona employing A. flavus atoxigenic strains to competitively exclude toxigenic strains in cotton fields have resulted in drastic and significant reduction of aflatoxin levels in cotton. Success using this strategy may also extend to South Texas on both cotton and corn, and to other locations and crops as well. Chronic yearly contamination and the ability of growers to support additional costs associated with deployment of the biocompetitive strategy are conditions that favor its use.The development of host resistance is a core strategy for effective control of aflatoxin elaboration. The identification of resistant germplasm can lead to an investigation of factors underlying resistance. Subsequent identification and characterization of these factors (1) can provide researchers with an opportunity to decipher nature's requirements for resistance, (2) provide markers for marker-assisted breeding, and/or (3) provide candidate genes for plant transformation. Genetically engineered lines can, in turn, facilitate confirmation of gene function as it relates to resistance, as well as provide germplasm for breeding programs.The sponsors of the 2002 workshop were the Corn Refiners Association, the National Corn Growers Association, the North American Millers Association, and the Texas Corn Producers Board. Industry and USDA-ARS cooperation with both ARS and university scientists has provided the foundation for the tremendous research progress made thus far, and is, undoubtedly, the basis for any future work leading to the successful resolution of the aflatoxin and fumonisin pro...