An example is drought tolerance. Deep and numerous roots are a genetic trait that has been proven to increase drought resistance. Selection for drought resistance would be much easier if markers linked to the root trait could be identified. Aflatoxin in groundnut was first reported in 1960 with an outbreak of a disease in England in which about 100,000 turkey chicks died within a few months. It was discovered that their groundnut meal was contaminated with aflatoxin.
Aflatoxins are carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and immunosuppressive.
In short, they are downright dangerous, to human beings as well as to livestock. Besides being a health risk to consumers, groundnut farmers are badly hit by the loss of export markets, which will not accept contaminated crops. The problem is complex, because it is influenced not only by the production of the toxin by a fungus in the field or in storage, but also by handling and processing after harvest, where contaminated lots can be unknowingly mixed with clean ones. A solution will require a systems approach - and close coordination among a range of institutions, communities, and governments. The problem is by no means limited to Asia, either.