On-farm interventions to reduce preharvest aflatoxin contamination in corn -- texas a & m university agrilife research scientists will collaborate with scientists in the ARS responsive agricultural…

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $529,812 to Texas A&M Agrilife Research on April 1, 2026, under the Agricultural Research Basic and Applied Research program (CFDA 10.001). The award funds research to develop methodologies, technologies, and interventions to reduce preharvest and postharvest aflatoxin contamination in corn grown in the United States. Specific objectives include developing prevention and defense technologies against aflatoxin presence in corn; developing in-field mitigation measures to improve testing, scouting, crop protection, and best management practices; and developing postharvest strategies including improved testing procedures, storage and handling technologies, and amelioration technology for contaminated grain. The research aligns with USDA-ARS National Program 108 (Food Safety) under Problem Statement 5, which addresses intervention and control strategies to reduce or eliminate pathogens in the food system. Texas A&M Agrilife Research will collaborate with scientists in the ARS Responsive Agricultural Food Systems Research Unit located in College Station, Texas, as well as ARS scientists in New Orleans and Tucson. Performance occurs in College Station, Texas. The period of performance runs from April 1, 2026, through March 30, 2029.

On-farm interventions to reduce preharvest aflatoxin contamination in corn -- texas a & m university agrilife research scientists will collaborate with scientists in the ARS responsive agricultural food systems research unit (rafsru) located in texas at college station, as well as other ARS scientists in new orleans and tucson to conduct a broad range of research activities focused on defense against the presence of aflatoxin, enhancement of mitigation measures, and development of post-harvest strategies to reduce aflatoxin infestation and contamination of corn (ZEA mays). This research project is relevant to USDA-ARS national program 108 (food safety) under problem statement 5: develop, validate, and implement intervention and control strategies to reduce or eliminate pathogens in the food system. Specific objectives of this research are as follows: objective 1. Develop methodologies and technologies that prevent and/or defend against the presence of aflatoxin in corn grown in the united states. Objective 2. Develop in-field mitigation measures to improve testing/scouting, crop protection measures, and best management practices. Objective 3. Develop post-harvest strategies to improve testing procedures, storage and handling technologies and methodologies which mitigate aflatoxin, and amelioration technology for contaminated grain.