Implementation of Biotechnical Measures for the Control and Prevention of Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize Production
Maize represents one of the most important cereal crops for meeting both human and animal nutritional requirements. However, its production is increasingly threatened by aflatoxins, primarily those produced by Aspergillus flavus, which can cause aflatoxicosis in both humans and animals. High relativ...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Sciendo
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Contemporary Agriculture |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2478/contagri-2025-0011 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850207628779585536 |
|---|---|
| author | Pavković Nemanja Vranešević Milica Bagi Ferenc Iličić Renata |
| author_facet | Pavković Nemanja Vranešević Milica Bagi Ferenc Iličić Renata |
| author_sort | Pavković Nemanja |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Maize represents one of the most important cereal crops for meeting both human and animal nutritional requirements. However, its production is increasingly threatened by aflatoxins, primarily those produced by Aspergillus flavus, which can cause aflatoxicosis in both humans and animals. High relative humidity (80–90%) and temperatures (25–30 °C) promote the growth of Aspergillus species and the subsequent production of aflatoxins. Under such environmental conditions, the implementation of appropriate biotechnical measures is essential to ensure the production of health-safe maize. This study aims to examine the harmful effects of aflatoxins and the efficacy of various biotechnological strategies for the prevention and reduction of aflatoxin contamination during maize cultivation. As demonstrated herein, the application of diverse biotechnical practices—including the prevention of drought stress, the use of windbreaks, optimal plant density, timely sowing, and the control of insect and weed infestations—can significantly reduce aflatoxin levels, often to the values compliant with the official safety regulations. In particular, biological control using indigenous non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains has been shown to reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize fields by 45–100%. Comparable reductions have also been achieved through proper irrigation management, intercropping maize with legumes, and the use of windbreaks to optimize microclimatic conditions. In addition to implementing these measures, raising farmers’ awareness of their importance and routinely analyzing maize samples for aflatoxin content are crucial steps toward ensuring the production of safe and high-quality maize. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-93ebffad1a594fd19f4a22890847c258 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2466-4774 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Sciendo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Contemporary Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj-art-93ebffad1a594fd19f4a22890847c2582025-08-20T02:10:28ZengSciendoContemporary Agriculture2466-47742025-06-01741-2869710.2478/contagri-2025-0011Implementation of Biotechnical Measures for the Control and Prevention of Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize ProductionPavković Nemanja0Vranešević Milica1Bagi Ferenc2Iličić Renata31Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000Novi Sad, Serbia1Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000Novi Sad, Serbia1Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000Novi Sad, Serbia1Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000Novi Sad, SerbiaMaize represents one of the most important cereal crops for meeting both human and animal nutritional requirements. However, its production is increasingly threatened by aflatoxins, primarily those produced by Aspergillus flavus, which can cause aflatoxicosis in both humans and animals. High relative humidity (80–90%) and temperatures (25–30 °C) promote the growth of Aspergillus species and the subsequent production of aflatoxins. Under such environmental conditions, the implementation of appropriate biotechnical measures is essential to ensure the production of health-safe maize. This study aims to examine the harmful effects of aflatoxins and the efficacy of various biotechnological strategies for the prevention and reduction of aflatoxin contamination during maize cultivation. As demonstrated herein, the application of diverse biotechnical practices—including the prevention of drought stress, the use of windbreaks, optimal plant density, timely sowing, and the control of insect and weed infestations—can significantly reduce aflatoxin levels, often to the values compliant with the official safety regulations. In particular, biological control using indigenous non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains has been shown to reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize fields by 45–100%. Comparable reductions have also been achieved through proper irrigation management, intercropping maize with legumes, and the use of windbreaks to optimize microclimatic conditions. In addition to implementing these measures, raising farmers’ awareness of their importance and routinely analyzing maize samples for aflatoxin content are crucial steps toward ensuring the production of safe and high-quality maize.https://doi.org/10.2478/contagri-2025-0011maizeaflatoxinsaspergillus flavusbiotechnical measures |
| spellingShingle | Pavković Nemanja Vranešević Milica Bagi Ferenc Iličić Renata Implementation of Biotechnical Measures for the Control and Prevention of Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize Production Contemporary Agriculture maize aflatoxins aspergillus flavus biotechnical measures |
| title | Implementation of Biotechnical Measures for the Control and Prevention of Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize Production |
| title_full | Implementation of Biotechnical Measures for the Control and Prevention of Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize Production |
| title_fullStr | Implementation of Biotechnical Measures for the Control and Prevention of Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize Production |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implementation of Biotechnical Measures for the Control and Prevention of Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize Production |
| title_short | Implementation of Biotechnical Measures for the Control and Prevention of Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize Production |
| title_sort | implementation of biotechnical measures for the control and prevention of aflatoxin contamination in maize production |
| topic | maize aflatoxins aspergillus flavus biotechnical measures |
| url | https://doi.org/10.2478/contagri-2025-0011 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT pavkovicnemanja implementationofbiotechnicalmeasuresforthecontrolandpreventionofaflatoxincontaminationinmaizeproduction AT vranesevicmilica implementationofbiotechnicalmeasuresforthecontrolandpreventionofaflatoxincontaminationinmaizeproduction AT bagiferenc implementationofbiotechnicalmeasuresforthecontrolandpreventionofaflatoxincontaminationinmaizeproduction AT ilicicrenata implementationofbiotechnicalmeasuresforthecontrolandpreventionofaflatoxincontaminationinmaizeproduction |