Aspergillus Species Isolated from rhizosphere of sugarcane in the south of Iran. fungi associated to sugarcane

The diversity and mycotoxin productions of Aspergillus species are getting more attention due to their application in industries and importance in agriculture. The aim of this study was to isolate Aspergillus spp. from sugarcane fields in South of Iran and to investigate their ability to produce mycotoxins. Beta-tubulin and calmodulin genes of 125 strains sequenced for DNA-based identification of species. Our molecular and phylogenetic results showed 70% of strains belong to Aspergillus section Nigri. The production of some mycotoxins was measured according to species potentiality: ochratoxin (A. welwitschiae), fumonisin (A. welwitschiae), patulin (A. terreus) and sterigmatocystin (A. terreus). Ochratoxin was also measured for A. tubingensis, because its ochratoxigenicity is still controversial. The 80% of A. welwitschiae and 57% of A. terreus strains indicated the highest production of FB2 and PAT, respectively. Due to the local agronomical practices, the production of these mycotoxins by Aspergillus species may have implications in sugarcane production in terms of safety and related economic losses.