The biopesticide AF36 is currently used in cotton and pistachios, but will it work in almonds as well? Sabrina Hill speaks with a researcher who is working to answer that question.
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AF36 is the atoxogenic strain of the fungus Aspergillus flavus. It occurs naturally, but does not produce the toxic chemicals called aflatoxins that other strains of this fungus produce. In studies on pistachios, researchers found AF36 is effective in displacing other – and damaging – fungus without increasing kernel decay. Now, researchers are working to see if the same is true for almond crops. Dr. Themis Michailides is a researcher with the University of California at the Kearney Ag Research Center. He says researchers are very interested in how AF36 will work in almonds.
For more on AF36 in pistachios, click here.
For AF36 in almonds and pistachios, click here.
For information from the Arizona Cotton Board, click here.