Effect of Acclimatization in Elevated CO2 on Growth and Aflatoxin B1 Production by Aspergillus flavus Strains on Pistachio Nuts
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Dear Authors, in the document attached please find my comments.
In the light of climate change this kind of research is very important so I generally support your article to be published. However, it must be improved.
By this, I mean you should include more than two different strains, at least five AFB1 producing and 5 non-producing.
Also, there are plenty of physiological features of Aspergilli other than radius that could be easily described and included in your results.
As for the discussion part, carefully cover whatever is related to A. fluvus and then compare it to other fungi.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
We have made the changes recommended by the Referee. These are all highlighted in blue. We have qualified the way that the different generations have been produced for clarity. The Figures 1 and 2 have been improved for better clarity of treatments. In terms of additional physiological information re: acclimatization. There are very few studies which have actually been carried out. The only two published ones have been cited in the Introduction and Discussion. As we have pointed out this research area related to resilience and evolution of fungal pathogens with regard to climate change is important and needs more research. We have pointed this out. We hope that in the near furure with a new PhD project we can address some of these underlying fundamental impacts at a physiological and molecular level. .
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript "Effect of acclimatization in elevated CO2 on growth and aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus strains on pistachio nuts" could have implications for agriculture. This study provide useful information on the relative risk of increased mycotoxin contamination of this tree nut. Despite the fact that the manuscript looks very laconic, it is interesting and contains some new scientific information. Nevertheless, it is obvious that these are only primary data and additional studies are required to fully understand the observed strain variability.
In my opinion, despite the fact that many scientific issues of the observed patterns are not explained in this study, the manuscript can be published, but the authors should seriously revise the graphical presentation of the data. Where is it explained what the letters a, b and c mean in the diagrams? Figures should contain more information to understand the presented data
Author Response
This is a sort manuscript which tries to address the research area related to acclimatization of mycotoxigenic fungal pathogens. This area has received very little scientific attention so far. This is an indication that certainly more in depth studies are needed. This manuscript points to the potential effects of the evolution of fungal pathogens which may vary between species.
We have addressed the comments about the Figures, especially 1 & 2 and have added additional information on the Figures to clarify what the treatments are. I think that the letters used statistically are mentioned in the Figure legends. If additional information is required we are happy to add this if necessary.
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
After the authors included and/or clarified my previously addressed concerns I support the publishing of this manuscript.
