Pest Management Science (2006) 62, 242-251

Romina V. Bluma and Miriam G. Etcheverry (2006)
Influence of Bacillus spp. isolated from maize agroecosystem on growth and aflatoxin B₁ production by Aspergillus section Flavi
Pest Management Science 62 (3), 242-251
Abstract: A total of 59 bacteria of the Bacillus genus were isolated from different components of a maize agroecosystem and their antifungal activity against Aspergillus section Flavi was evaluated. Thirty-three and 46% of these bacteria were able to inhibit Aspergillus flavus Link and A. parasiticus Speare respectively at water activity (aw) 0.982; however, when aw was 0.955, these percentages were decreased and only three isolates were able to inhibit Aspergillus section Flavi. The majority of bacilli acted as contact antagonists, while a small number of isolates were able to form inhibition zones. In maize meal extract agar, Aspergillus section Flavi growth rate and aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) production were significantly reduced when these strains were paired at aw 0.982 with bacilli at all inoculum levels studied. However, two bacilli isolated were able to reduce growth rate and aflatoxin production when aw was 0.955. Lag phase increase followed the same general pattern as growth rate reduction. When Aspergillus section Flavi was grown in sterile maize in the presence of three Bacillus strains at aw 0.982, the reduction in count (colony-forming units (cfu) g^-1 maize) was less than 30%, except when Aspergillus section Flavi grew with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UNRCLR. However, levels of detectable AFB₁ were significantly reduced in these interactions at aw 0.982.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Miriam G. Etcheverry

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aspergillus flavus (plant/storage disease)	Maize/corn (Zea mays)
	Aspergillus parasiticus	Maize/corn (Zea mays)
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (antagonist)	Aspergillus flavus (plant/storage disease)	Maize/corn (Zea mays)