Investigating Groundnut Varieties for Agronomic Performance, Resistance to Aspergillus flavus Infection and Aflatoxin Contamination in Eastern Ethiopia

Aflatoxin is secondary metabolite produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus paraciticus, and posing a threat to human and animal health. The availability of resistant genotype to A. flavus infection and/or aflatoxin contamination urgently needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate groundnut varieties for reaction to field seed colonization by A. flavus and pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination in Eastern Ethiopia. Sixteen groundnut varieties were evaluated in this study. Field seed infection and colonization by A. flavus was determined using plate counting methods. Moreover, groundnut seeds were subjected to aflatoxin analysis using ELISA test. The result revealed that all tested varieties were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) in response to days to flowering and maturity, number of pods and seeds per plant, hundred seed weight, pod yield (qt/ha), A.flavus infection and aflatoxin levels. Among the varieties evaluated, Baha Gudo (13.70%), Sartu (14.00%) and Sedi (14.23%) were resistant less than 15% of seeds number infected by A. flavus. Moreover, Baha Gudo (1.93 ppb), Sartu (3.70 ppb) and Sedi (6.40 ppb) were resistant to pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination, < 15 ppb. In conclusion the varieties, Baha Gudo and Sedi (improved) and Sartu (local) are resistant to A. flavus infection and pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination. Therefore, the varieties that showed resistance could form part of an integrated management of aflatoxin contamination. Keywords: Aflatoxin, Agronomic, Aspergillus flavus, Ethiopia, Groundnut, Resistance