Author(s): Luke North, Tucker Howey
Mentor(s): Ruth Kerry
Institution BYU
Aflatoxin is a highly carcinogenic toxin produced by aspergillus fungi that can infect corn crops in hot humid areas. Due to the severe human health impacts, the level of the toxin in corn is strictly legislated in crops of corn that are sold or exported in bulk. However, aflatoxin levels are unlikely to be tested in corn sold directly to the consumer in farmers stalls as it is expensive to test. When the corn and fungi experience drought conditions during the delicate mid-silk growth stage aflatoxin levels have been shown to be higher. This study examines links between monthly weather conditions/drought conditions, insurance claims for spoiled crops in the state of Texas. It also investigates links between NDVI and Thermal IR from corn growing pixels in Landsat imagery and insurance claims. Greater drought frequency is associated with greater insurance claims. The NDVI and thermal IR of corn crops in 2011 and 2022, high risk years, are examined for the Texas Pan Handle or High Plains area which grows a lot of corn. Consistency in the location of high risk areas between these two high risk areas is examined and links with soil parent material and topography are investigated.