Dr. Peter Cotty
Research Plant Pathologist
Agricultural Research Service
USDA
Division of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Adjunct Professor

Marley Building, Room 341B
Phone: (502) 626-5049
Email: pjcotty@email.arizona.edu
 

Visit these web-sites to learn more about Dr. Cotty and his research

 
   
Background and Interests
 
Research: Aflatoxin contamination of crops is a severe problem in many parts of the world. Over the next five years we hope to develop improved methods for limiting aflatoxin contamination. Our research is directed at developing solutions to aflatoxin problems through both practical field based studies and fundamental investigations into the physiology, genetics, and biology of aflatoxin producing fungi. Field based studies emphasize industry collaborations in Arizona, Texas, and California. A key aspect of the lab's work is development of novel biocontrol strategies through close collaborations with the Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council including development of commercial scale processes for producing biocontrol material at a grower-run facility in Phoenix. Fundamental aspects include regulation of aflatoxin biosynthesis and it's interaction with morphogenesis, divergence of aflatoxin producing fungi, hydrolase production by aflatoxin producers, identification of adaptive fungal characters, characterization of host-fungal interactions that dictate extent of contamination, epidemiology of aflatoxin contamination, and population biology of aflatoxin producers. For over a decade the laboratory has been involved in characterizing the diversity of aflatoxin producers, clarifying the etiology of contamination, describing geographical and physiological divergence among strains. This work continues and interests in both vegetative incompatibility and intra-specific competition within Aspergillus flavus remain an emphasis.

 
Selected Publications
 

Ehrlich KC, Montalbano BG, Cotty PJ. Feb 2003. Sequence comparison of aflR from different Aspergillus species provides evidence for variability in regulation of aflatoxin production. Fungal Genet Biol, 38:63-74

Jaime-Gracia, R., and Cotty, P.J.. Feb 2003. Aflatoxin Contamination of Commercial Cottonseed in South Texas. Phytopathology, 93:1190-1200

Mellon JK, Cotty PJ. Dec 2002. No effect of soybean lipoxygenase on aflatoxin production in Aspergillus flavus-inoculated seeds. J Food Prot, 65:1984-7

Ehrlich KC, Cotty PJ. Oct 2002. Variability in nitrogen regulation of aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus strains. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 60:174-8

Ehrlich KC, Montalbano BG, Cary JW, Cotty PJ. Jun 2002. Promoter elements in the aflatoxin pathway polyketide synthase gene. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1576:171-5

Mellon, J.E. and Cotty, P.J.. Jun 2002. No Effect of Soybean Lipoxygenase on Aflatoxin Production in Aspergillus flavus-Inoculated Seeds. Journal of Food Protection, 65:1984-1987

Cardwell, K.F., and Cotty, P.J.. Feb 2002. Distribution of Aspergillus Section Flavi among field soils from the four agroecological zones of the Republic of Bénin, West Africa. Plant Disease, 86:434-439

Chang PK, Bennett JW, Cotty PJ. Jan 2002. Association of aflatoxin biosynthesis and sclerotial development in Aspergillus parasiticus. Mycopathologia, 153:41-8

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