Influence of Planococcus ficus on the mycoflora and Aspergillus section Nigri contamination and ochratoxin A occurrence in vineyards from Argentina.

CHIOTTA, M.L.; PONSONE, L.; COMBINA, M.; TORRES, A.M.; CHULZE, S. N.

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Conferencia; ISM2009 Conference "Worldwide Mycotoxin Reduction in Food and Feed Chains”; 2009

International Society of Micotoxicology

Vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret) is a key pest in vineyards of many grape-growing areas from Mendoza, Argentina. Grapes are susceptible to tbis insect attack, which can cause damages in berries and could be vector of toxigenic fungi. Aspergillus bunch rots, is a beny pre-harvest deterioration caused by species belonging to Aspergillus section Nigri. These fungal species are also responsible for ochratoxin A contamination. Black aspergilli incidence and ochratoxin A contamination could be favoured by berries damage caused by insects. The aim of this study was: -to evaluate the efIect of Planococcus ficus grapes infection on Aspergillus section Nigri contamination and ochratoxin A occurrence. During 2007 and 2009 harvest seasons, three grape varieties (Merlot, Malbec and Cabemet Sauvignon) divided in two categories of grape samples (undamaged and damaged berries) were evaluated. During 2007, the fungal genus showed the highest incidence wasPlanococcus ficus (Signoret) is a key pest in vineyards of many grape-growing areas from Mendoza, Argentina. Grapes are susceptible to tbis insect attack, which can cause damages in berries and could be vector of toxigenic fungi. Aspergillus bunch rots, is a beny pre-harvest deterioration caused by species belonging to Aspergillus section Nigri. These fungal species are also responsible for ochratoxin A contamination. Black aspergilli incidence and ochratoxin A contamination could be favoured by berries damage caused by insects. The aim of this study was: -to evaluate the efIect of Planococcus ficus grapes infection on Aspergillus section Nigri contamination and ochratoxin A occurrence. During 2007 and 2009 harvest seasons, three grape varieties (Merlot, Malbec and Cabemet Sauvignon) divided in two categories of grape samples (undamaged and damaged berries) were evaluated. During 2007, the fungal genus showed the highest incidence wasAspergillus bunch rots, is a beny pre-harvest deterioration caused by species belonging to Aspergillus section Nigri. These fungal species are also responsible for ochratoxin A contamination. Black aspergilli incidence and ochratoxin A contamination could be favoured by berries damage caused by insects. The aim of this study was: -to evaluate the efIect of Planococcus ficus grapes infection on Aspergillus section Nigri contamination and ochratoxin A occurrence. During 2007 and 2009 harvest seasons, three grape varieties (Merlot, Malbec and Cabemet Sauvignon) divided in two categories of grape samples (undamaged and damaged berries) were evaluated. During 2007, the fungal genus showed the highest incidence wasAspergillus section Nigri. These fungal species are also responsible for ochratoxin A contamination. Black aspergilli incidence and ochratoxin A contamination could be favoured by berries damage caused by insects. The aim of this study was: -to evaluate the efIect of Planococcus ficus grapes infection on Aspergillus section Nigri contamination and ochratoxin A occurrence. During 2007 and 2009 harvest seasons, three grape varieties (Merlot, Malbec and Cabemet Sauvignon) divided in two categories of grape samples (undamaged and damaged berries) were evaluated. During 2007, the fungal genus showed the highest incidence was-to evaluate the efIect of Planococcus ficus grapes infection on Aspergillus section Nigri contamination and ochratoxin A occurrence. During 2007 and 2009 harvest seasons, three grape varieties (Merlot, Malbec and Cabemet Sauvignon) divided in two categories of grape samples (undamaged and damaged berries) were evaluated. During 2007, the fungal genus showed the highest incidence wasPlanococcus ficus grapes infection on Aspergillus section Nigri contamination and ochratoxin A occurrence. During 2007 and 2009 harvest seasons, three grape varieties (Merlot, Malbec and Cabemet Sauvignon) divided in two categories of grape samples (undamaged and damaged berries) were evaluated. During 2007, the fungal genus showed the highest incidence was Alternaria spp. (63%), followed by Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. isolated in a frequency of 18% and 13%, respectively. Cladosporium spp., Fusarium spp., Trichoderma spp., Rhizopus spp. and yeasts were isolated at percentages less than 10%. During 2009, the grape samples showed high contamination with yeast (ranging from 10 to 100%) and the infection with Alternaria spp. (55%) andspp. (63%), followed by Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. isolated in a frequency of 18% and 13%, respectively. Cladosporium spp., Fusarium spp., Trichoderma spp., Rhizopus spp. and yeasts were isolated at percentages less than 10%. During 2009, the grape samples showed high contamination with yeast (ranging from 10 to 100%) and the infection with Alternaria spp. (55%) andCladosporium spp., Fusarium spp., Trichoderma spp., Rhizopus spp. and yeasts were isolated at percentages less than 10%. During 2009, the grape samples showed high contamination with yeast (ranging from 10 to 100%) and the infection with Alternaria spp. (55%) andAlternaria spp. (55%) and Aspergillus spp. (56%) were relevant in Cabemet Sauvignon variety. Regardless the grape variety and the harvest season evaluated, damaged berries showed the highest levels of contamination withspp. (56%) were relevant in Cabemet Sauvignon variety. Regardless the grape variety and the harvest season evaluated, damaged berries showed the highest levels of contamination with Aspergillus section Nigrl (P<0.05). Merlot variety showed the high levels of black aspergilli contamination during 2007 (53.5% and 20% in damaged and undamaged grapes, respectively) while Cabemet Sauvignon presented the highest incidence during 2009 (56% and 14% in damaged and undamaged grapes, respectively). The mean ochratoxin A concentration in damaged beny samples was significantly higher than in the undamaged ones (P<O.OOI). The highest OTA contamination levels were detected during 2007, ranging from 0.5 to 140.2 ny g-l. Cabemet Sauvignon variety showed highest levels of toxin detected (mean levels: 50.1 ng g- and 3.4 ng g-\ in 2007 and 2009 respectively). These results showed the potential risk of OTA contamination in vineyard infected withsection Nigrl (P<0.05). Merlot variety showed the high levels of black aspergilli contamination during 2007 (53.5% and 20% in damaged and undamaged grapes, respectively) while Cabemet Sauvignon presented the highest incidence during 2009 (56% and 14% in damaged and undamaged grapes, respectively). The mean ochratoxin A concentration in damaged beny samples was significantly higher than in the undamaged ones (P<O.OOI). The highest OTA contamination levels were detected during 2007, ranging from 0.5 to 140.2 ny g-l. Cabemet Sauvignon variety showed highest levels of toxin detected (mean levels: 50.1 ng g- and 3.4 ng g-\ in 2007 and 2009 respectively). These results showed the potential risk of OTA contamination in vineyard infected with Planococcus ficus and the need of to implement insect control at pre-harvest stage.and the need of to implement insect control at pre-harvest stage.