Work

Effective chemical management of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin contamination in pistachio nuts and orchards

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND Significant presence of aflatoxins (AFs) in pistachio nuts has been reported during recent years in Greece and worldwide. Research has mainly focused on the biological control of these carcinogenic secondary metabolites, yet climate change events may influence the efficacy of several biocontrol agents. The aim of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of different chemical classes, such as strobilurins, triazoles, anilinopyrimidines, dithiocarbamates, benzimidazoles and phenylpyrroles, in reducing the growth of Αspergillus flavus toxigenic strains in vitro , in vivo as well as in field trials and therefore reducing the AFs produced. RESULTS Cyprodinil (an anilopirimidine), fludioxonil (a phenylpyrrole), pyrimethanil (an anilopirimidine) and flusilazole (a triazole) were the most effective fungicides for the reduction of A. flavus growth, with half maximal Effective Concentration (EC 50 ) values ranging between 0.0012 and 0.088 μg kg −1 . Likewise, these fungicides reduced AF levels by 100% on pistachio nuts in in vivo tests, even when tested at concentrations below 4 μg kg −1 . A subsequent two‐year field trial confirmed the in vivo findings, showcasing that various chemical plant protection products (PPPs) were able to inhibit AF production by up to 100%. CONCLUSION The potential risk of AF contamination of pistachio nuts can be reduced using chemical commercial PPPs containing active ingredients such as cyprodinil, fludioxonil and pyrimethanil. In vivo results demonstrated that several commercial products can completely inhibit AF production. Thus, commercial PPPs could be used as an effective tool in an integrated management system of AFs in pistachio nut cultivation. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Source: Pest Management Science

DOI: 10.1002/ps.8860

Authors: Michail D. Kaminiaris, Maria Varveri, Myrto G. Dimakopoulou, Dimitrios I. Tsitsigiannis

Institution: Agricultural University of Athens

Language: English

Topic: Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,360