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
 

Daigle, D.J. and Cotty, P.J.. Feb 1995. Formulating atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus for field release. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 5:175-184

Bhatnagar, D, Cleveland, TE, Cotty, PJ. 1994. Mycological Aspects of Aflatoxin Formation. Eaton, DL, Groopman, JD. The Toxicology of Aflatoxins: Human Health, Veterinary, and Agricultural Significance. New York:Academic Press.

Cotty, PJ, Bayman, P, Egel, DS, Elias, KS. 1994. Agriculture, Aflatoxins, and Aspergillus. Pages 1-27. Powell, KA, Renwick, A, Peberdy, JF. FEMS Symposium No. 69 The Genus Aspergillus: From Taxonomy and Genetics to Industrial Application. New York: Plenum Press.

Cotty, P.J.. Aug 1994. Influence of Field Application of an Atoxigenic Strain of Aspergillus flavus on the Populations of A. flavus Infecting Cotton Bolls and on the Aflatoxin Content of Cottonseed. Phytopathology, 84 - No. 11:1270-1277

Cotty P.J., Bhatnagar D.. Jul 1994. Variability among atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains in ability to prevent aflatoxin contamination and production of aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway enzymes. Appl Environ Microbiol, 60:2248-51

Egel, D.S., Cotty, P.J., and Elias, K.S.. Apr 1994. Relationships Among Isolates of Aspergillus sect. flavi that Vary in Aflatoxin Production. Phytopathology, 84:906-912

Cotty PJ. Mar 1994. Comparison of four media for the isolation of Aspergillus flavus group fungi. Mycopathologia, 125:157-62

Daigle, D.J. and Cotty, P.J.. Feb 1994. Stability of Colletotrichum truncatum in culture influences mycoherbicide efficacy. Mycologia, 86:397-400

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