Experiments were conducted to assess the influence of storage practices on mycotoxin incidences in stored maize and groundnuts in Kilosa District, Eastern Central Tanzania. Factorial experiments were used to test the effects of processing, storage conditions, and protectants at 3-month intervals for 12 weeks. Temperature and relative humidity data were recorded by using data loggers. The differences among the treatment means were compared using Tukey's honestly significant difference test at 5% probability level. The log-linear model was used to determine the influence of weather on mycotoxin. Dried neem ( Azadirachta indica ) leaves significantly reduced fumonisin B1 (FB1) in stored maize. Levels of FB1 were significantly higher in maize heaped on the floor than in the other tested storage methods (P < 0.001). Similarly, aflatoxin levels were significantly higher in groundnuts stored in nylon bags than in the other tested methods (P < 0.001). The high concentration of mycotoxins at the study villages suggests that storage practices and weather conditions play major roles in mycotoxin production.
Keywords: Groundnuts; Maize; Mycotoxins; Practices; Storage.