title: Leaf application of a sprayable bioplastic-based formulation of biocontrol Aspergillus flavus strains for reduction of aflatoxins in corn.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Applying non-aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus isolates to the soil has been shown to be effective in reducing aflatoxin levels in harvested crops, including peanuts, cotton and corn. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of controlling aflatoxin contamination using a novel sprayable formulation consisting of a partially gelatinized starch-based bioplastic dispersion embedded with spores of biocontrol A. flavus strains, which is applied to the leaf surfaces of corn plants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The formulation was shown to be adherent, resulting in colonization of leaf surfaces with the biocontrol strain of A. flavus, and to reduce aflatoxin contamination of harvested kernels by up to 80% in Northern Italy and by up to 89% in the Mississippi Delta. The percentage of aflatoxin-producing isolates in the soil reservoir under leaf-treated corn was not significantly changed, even when the soil was amended with additional A. flavus as a model of changes to the soil reservoir that occur in no-till agriculture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicated that it is not necessary to treat the soil reservoir in order to achieve effective biocontrol of aflatoxin contamination in kernel corn. Spraying this novel bioplastic-based formulation to leaves can be an effective alternative in the biocontrol of A. flavus in corn. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Accinelli
authors.affiliation: USDA-ARS, Biological Control of Pests Research Unit, Stoneville, MS, USA.
authors.forename: Hamed K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vicari
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors.forename: W Thomas
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Shier
mesh_terms: D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D001231:Aspergillus flavus; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D007558:Italy; D008922:Mississippi; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D011108:Polymers; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D011108:Polymers
keywords: Aspergillus flavus; Zea mays; aflatoxins; biological control; biopesticides; maize; sprayable bioplastic