VIEW ARTICLE

Postharvest Pathology and Mycotoxins

Distribution of Aspergillus flavus and Other Fungi in Several Almond-Growing Areas of California. Steven L. Purcell, Graduate research assistant, Science and Education Administration, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Market Quality and Transportation Research Laboratory, Fresno, CA 93727; Douglas J. Phillips(2), and Bruce E. Mackey(3). (2)Research plant pathologist, Science and Education Administration, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Market Quality and Transportation Research Laboratory, Fresno, CA 93727; (3)Consulting statistician, Western Regional Research Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Berkeley, CA 94710. Phytopathology 70:926-929. Accepted for publication 31 March 1980. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1980. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-70-926.

Fungi were isolated from almond fruits grown in various parts of the Central Valley of California and were identified as members of the following groups: Aspergillus flavus (AF), A. niger (AN), A. wentii (AW), A. glaucus (AG), A. ochraceus (AO), Penicillium (PN), Alternaria (ALT), Rhizopus (RN). Samples were collected 1 wk before normal harvest, 1 wk after normal harvest, and after 2.5 mo of storage. A. flavus (AF) and AN were found most frequently and ALT least frequently from fruits in the warmer region (Bakersfield) in contrast to the cooler areas (Chowchilla and Snelling). The ALT and PN groups occurred more frequently and AF, AN, and AG less frequently before harvest than after harvest. The AF was found more frequently on samples taken from sunny locations in the orchard than from samples taken from shaded locations.