VIEW ARTICLE

Colonization of Gnotobiotically Grown Peanuts by Aspergillus flavus and Selected Interacting Fungi. T. R. Wells, Junior Plant Pathologist, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80521; W. A. Kreutzer(2), and D. L. Lindsey(3). (2)Professor of Botany and Plant Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80521; (3)Assistant Plant Pathologist, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces 88001. Phytopathology 62:1238-1242. Accepted for publication 8 May 1972. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-62-1238.

Peanut plants (cultivar Tennessee Red) were grown under gnotobiotic conditions in the presence of Trichoderma viride, Penicillium funiculosum, and the toxin-forming Aspergillus flavus. These fungi singly or in combinations colonized aerial and subterranean parts of peanut plants; however, colonization by T. viride was restricted primarily to subterranean tissues. Immature pods, mature pericarps, and testae, to a lesser extent, were susceptible. Embryos showed limited invasion. Colonization of immature and mature pericarps by A. flavus was reduced in the presence of T. viride. Penicillium funiculosum not only nullified this antagonistic effect, but also appeared to stimulate colonization of mature peanut pericarps and testae by A. flavus.