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
 

Atehnkeng J, Ojiambo PS, Donner M, Ikotun T, Sikora RA, Cotty PJ, Bandyopadhyay. Feb 2008. Distribution and toxigenicity of Aspergillus species isolated from maize kernels from three agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 122:74-84

Das MK, Ehrlich, EC, and Cotty, PJ. Jan 2008. Use of Pyrosequencing to quantify incidence of a specific Aspergillus flavus strain within complex fungal communities associated with commercial cotton crops. Phytopathology, 98:282-288

Mellon, JE, Cotty, PJ, Dowd, MK. Nov 2007. Aspergillus flavus Hydrolases: Their Roles in Pathogenesis and Substrate Utilization. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 77:497-504

Cotty, PJ, Jaime-Garcia, R.. Oct 2007. Influences of Climate on Aflatoxin-producing Fungi and Aflatoxin Contamination. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 119:109-115

Cotty, PJ, Antilla, L, Wakelyn, PJ. 2007. Competitive Exclusion of Aflatoxin Producers: Farmer Driven Research and Development. Pages 241-253. Editors: Vincent, C, Goettel, N, Lazarovitis, G. Biological Control: A Global Perspective. Oxfordshire:CAB International.

Probst, C., Njapau, H., and Cotty, P.J.. Apr 2007. Outbreak of an Acute Aflatoxicosis in Kenya in 2004: Identification of the Causal Agent. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 73:2763-2764

Ehrlich KC, Montalbano BG, Cotty PJ. Mar 2007. Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms in three genes shows evidence for genetic isolation of certain Aspergillus flavus vegetative compatibility groups. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 268:231-6

Ehrlich, K.C., Kobbeman, K., Montalbano, B.G., and Cotty, P.J. Feb 2007. Aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus species from Thailand. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 114:2762-2764.

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