Studies on Aspergillus Section Flavi from Peanut in Iran

During 2010 and 2011, Aspergillus species from section Flavi were isolated from rhizosphere in main peanut-growing region of Iran, Astaneh-e Ashrafiyeh, Guilan Province (northern Iran). The soil samples were taken from fruiting zone of peanuts in 3 districts and 10 locations, during the pod-filling period. The populations of Aspergillus section Flavi showed significant differences in cfu g-1 among sampling locations. Individual assays averaged from 188 and 139 Aspergillus section Flavi population/g soil in two years, respectively. So that, we were unable to detect A. section Flavi on soil dilution plates at greater dilutions (<10-2). The A. parasiticus was the dominant species isolated in fruiting zone of all peanut plants. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the ratio of L and S strains of A. flavus and A. parasiticus isolates in locations. In two locations, higher frequencies and prapagule densities of Aspergillus section Flavi in soil were found. Prapagule density levels of Aspergillus section Flavi for two years indicated that continuous planting of peanuts result in no variable Aspergillus species from section Flavi in Astaneh-e Ashrafyieh.