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The secret of yellow mold: Why is it wreaking havoc on crops around the world?
Yellow mold, also known as Aspergillus flavus, is a widespread saprophytic and pathogenic fungus, primarily known for its infection of cereals, legumes and nuts. The fungus's name comes from the Latin word for "yellow," which is directly related to the color of its spores. The late decay effects of this fungus often lead to crop losses during harvesting, storage and transportation. Prior to harvest, yellow mold infection often has no obvious symptoms, making it even more difficult to identify.
Infection with yellow mold can occur while crops are still in the field, although it often remains dormant until later in storage or transport.
The fungus's environmental requirements make it particularly active in conditions of humidity and heat, which is why it is more common in tropical regions. During the growing season, various plant stresses, such as drought, severe leaf damage, and suboptimal storage conditions, promote the proliferation of yellow mold.
Disease cycle of yellow mold
Yellow mold overwinters in the soil and exists in the form of hyphae or sclerotium in decaying organic matter. When conditions are right, it germinates, producing new hyphae and asexual spores called asci, which are the main source of spread of A. flavus, spreading to grains or beans via vectors such as wind and insects.
In corn, A. flavus penetrates the tangled silk hairs and enters the corn silk, eventually leading to infection of the kernel.
Environmentally, F. fulvicidalis is a heat-tolerant fungus that can grow in conditions where other fungi cannot survive. Especially when plant material is stored in an environment with high moisture, the growth of this fungus is enhanced, leading to greater crop losses.
Management and prevention measures
To ensure that cereals and legumes remain free of A. flavus infection, farmers must take a number of steps before, during and after harvest. The temperature of the storage unit should be kept as low as possible to prevent the growth of pathogens. Virtual air circulation systems are also widely used, which helps to remove excess moisture and heat.
Some studies have shown that applying the yeast Pichia anomala to growing corn and nuts can effectively limit the spread of A. flavus.
In addition to biological control methods, good irrigation management can effectively alleviate stress caused by drought, which is also the key to reducing pathogen infection. Researchers are working to understand certain plant proteins that play an important role in fighting off invasion by A. flavus.
Yellow mold and aflatoxin
Another major problem with yellow mold is the aflatoxins it produces, which can have serious effects on humans and animals. In the 1960s, about 100,000 turkeys died on a farm in the UK due to aflatoxin in their feed, which brought about major changes in subsequent agricultural practices and regulatory measures.
Studies have shown that different environmental conditions and plant types can affect aflatoxin production in A. flavus, with high moisture and temperature conditions causing a spike in toxin production.
In many developing countries, crop losses can exceed 30% due to a lack of regulation and resources. This dealt a heavy blow to the local economy.
ConclusionAspergillus flavus not only causes significant losses in agriculture, it can also pose a threat to human health, causing a variety of diseases, including liver cancer and immune system problems. When faced with this difficult disease, what effective strategies can we rely on to prevent and treat related diseases?
