Abstract:
Aspergillus flavus infect groundnut seeds and produce
secondary metabolites, aflatoxins. The aflatoxins are associated
with various diseases in domestic animals and humans globally.
Mitigating the aflatoxin contamination in crops through the
development of cultivars tolerant to fungus colonization and
aflatoxin contamination has been considered the most costeffective
measure.
This
research
was
conducted
to
ascertain
that
the
resistance genes identified in the previous transcriptome
analysis were involved in groundnut defense mechanisms to A.
flavus infection. Eight genes were selected for additional scrutiny
through the real time PCR on a groundnut seedling at an
interval of 2 days within a 7-day period. The results indicate a
network of gene expression patterns in a sequential order in both
resistance and susceptible lines at a seedling stage. The peak
expression level per gene indicates the time gene action was
crucial. We conclude that these genes are involved in groundnut
resistance to A. flavus infection and provide important targets
for the molecular marker screening.
