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Design, develop, and evaluate area-wide approaches to aflatoxin elimination using atoxigenic strains of A. flavus. Research characteristics required of processes and equipment for production of inoculum by grower run organizations. Produce inoculum and assess commercial compatibility and efficacy of the area-wide approach.
In consultation with Arizona growers and gins, an area-wide aflatoxin elimination program based on atoxigenic strain technologies will be designed and tested. Inoculum production will be scaled up and equipment designed and modified to permit production of sufficient inoculum for evaluation of an area-wide program. Requirements for the different stages of inoculum production will be empirically determined. The economics of atoxigenic strain based programs will be assessed and area-wide influences of atoxigenic strain applications will be quantified.