Aspergillosis

Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprophytic fungus that can exhibit pathogenic properties under specific conditions, leading to aspergillosis in both plants and animals. This pathogen belongs to the class of imperfect fungi and is widely distributed in soil, decaying organic matter, and plant debris. In agriculture, it is recognized as a significant agent responsible for the moldiness of seeds and various agricultural products during the post-harvest period.

The pathogen affects a wide range of crops, including cereals, legumes, and oilseeds, particularly during post-harvest processing and storage. Seeds with high moisture content, stored in environments with poor ventilation and high temperatures, are most susceptible to colonization by Aspergillus fumigatus. Furthermore, the fungus frequently contaminates livestock feed, posing significant health risks to animals through the production of mycotoxins.

Symptoms of infection are characterized by the emergence of a powdery growth on the surface of seeds or fruits. Initially white or yellowish, the colony turns gray-green or smoky-gray as the conidia mature. Infected seeds often lose their viability, become shriveled, emit a musty odor, and may contain hazardous levels of mycotoxins, making them unsuitable for consumption or sowing.

Environmental conditions favoring the development of the fungus include temperatures between +35 and +45 °C combined with high substrate humidity. Aspergillus fumigatus is remarkably resilient and can rapidly colonize stored grain masses if drying and ventilation protocols are neglected. The proliferation of this fungus in storage facilities often triggers self-heating processes, which further accelerate the deterioration of the grain quality.

The economic damage caused by this fungus involves severe losses in product quality and market value, along with safety concerns. Essential protection and preventive measures include:

• Thorough drying of harvested grain to reach optimal moisture levels before storage.
• Maintaining active aeration systems within storage facilities.
• Regular disinfection of warehouses, silos, and transportation equipment.
• Monitoring grain bulk temperatures to prevent self-heating.
• Applying systematic fungicidal seed treatments to prevent field and storage infections.