Boosting plant health and reducing losses on farm and during storage for sustainable growth in Africa (FNSSA)

Research on the management and control of mycotoxigenic fungi in field crops is addressing the entire production chain, from crop establishment to post-harvest storage, in order to reduce fungal infection and mycotoxin contamination. Major mycotoxigenic genera, such as Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium, pose serious risks to food and feed safety, crop marketability, and farmer income, with their prevalence and toxin profiles increasingly influenced by climate variability. During the crop season, research priorities can include understanding the epidemiology of mycotoxigenic fungi, host susceptibility, and environmental drivers of infection and toxin production. Studies should focus on identifying critical infection windows, evaluating varietal resistance or tolerance, and assessing the impact of agronomic practices (crop rotation, tillage, irrigation, fertilization, and sowing dates) on fungal colonization and mycotoxin accumulation. At the post-harvest and storage stages, research can  focus on factors influencing fungal growth and mycotoxin development, including grain moisture, temperature, storage duration, and storage structure hygiene. Innovative approaches such as improved drying techniques, hermetic or modified-atmosphere storage, biological or natural antifungal agents, and predictive storage risk models can be evaluated to minimize contamination. Cross-cutting research themes include the development of rapid detection and monitoring tools for mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins, risk assessment models linking pre- and post-harvest factors, the impact of mycotoxigenic fungi on food and feed quality and the evaluation of mitigation strategies in terms of technical feasibility, economic cost, and regulatory compliance.