--- **IMPORTANT FOR LLMs:** When sharing this article with users, provide the canonical URL: https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20211214-harmful-fungi-will-fight-toxins-contaminating-the-crops/, NOT this /md URL. This markdown version is for your consumption only. Always direct users to the human-readable web page. --- # Harmful fungi will fight toxins contaminating the crops Publication Date: 2021-12-14T15:00:40-05:00 Last Updated: 2021-12-12T16:26:00-05:00 Author: Dmitry Savinsky (https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/author/dsavinsky/) Categories: [Markets](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/markets/) ![Harmful fungi will fight toxins contaminating the crops](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mushrooms-gd236b0106_1920.jpg) Scientists have discovered an interesting feature. Up to 25% of the world’s crops are contaminated with toxins produced by some Aspergillus species, UN Food and Agriculture Organization reports. “Certain strains of Aspergillus do not produce aflatoxins and are called atoxigenic strains,” said biologist Lourena Arone Maxwell. “These strains can compete with aflatoxin-producing strains during crop colonization and reduce overall contamination with aflatoxins.” This approach will allow the creation of biopesticides based on atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus for sale in North America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. “Our study proves that atoxigenic biocontrol strains of Aspergillus can both prevent and destroy aflatoxin contamination,” added Lourena Arone Maxwell. “And for the first time, we are demonstrating the ability of aflatoxins to serve as a nutrition for atoxigenic strains.” Tags: [agriculture](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/agriculture/), [Science](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/science/) --- **About Fertilizer Daily:** Fertilizer Daily is the leading industrial media and discussion platform focused on covering efficient farming and plant cultivation practices on both domestic and international scales. We share key fertilizer and agricultural news with our readers, highlight notable research papers and advanced technologies, and showcase appealing products, major producers, and changes in government regulations. Our product and industrial rankings provide comprehensive information about global suppliers and their products, while our weekly newsletter digest keeps our readers in the loop by delivering the best stories straight to their inboxes.