Association between aflatoxin contamination and N2 fixation in peanut under drought conditions

Traits related to nitrogen fixation may be used as indirect selection criteria foraflatoxin resistance in peanut. The aim of this study was to investigate therelationship between N2 fixation traits and aflatoxin contamination in peanut underdifferent drought conditions. Eleven peanut genotypes were evaluated under threewater regimes for two seasons in the field. Data were observed on kernel infectionby Aspergillus flavus, aflatoxin contamination, total nitrogen content, N2 fixationand its related traits viz. nodule number, nodule dry weight and nitrogeneseactivity. Drought stress reduced total nitrogen content and N2 fixation, but itincreased kernel infection and aflatoxin contamination. Total nitrogen content, N2fixation and its related traits had negative and significant effects on kernel infectionand aflatoxin contamination especially under drought conditions. In addition,negative correlations between kernel infection and aflatoxin contamination withdrought tolerance index (DTI) of N2 fixation traits were also found. The resultsindicated that the ability to maintain high N2 fixation under drought conditions ofpeanut genotypes can result in better resistance to aflatoxin contamination.