Fighting insect decline – phenotyping for minimizing pesticide impact
Insect decline is a massive problem in Europe and many other parts of the world. Loss is partly attributed to pesticide use. Thus, EU policies drive forward the demand for pesticide saving practices, such as non-chemical agents against weeds, pests and pathogens, less susceptible plant varieties, or chemical agents with reduced toxicity but enhanced effectivity. Moreover, sensor systems that guide applications to only those parts of the field where plants are threatened are gaining importance. Moreover, consulting services and prediction systems that improve the application timing will contribute to enhanced effectivity of treatments.
All these activities are linked to digital imaging and sensing together with artificial intelligence for data processing. For instance, digital phenotyping is important for breeding more sustainable plant varieties. Similarly, when developing active ingredients for more effective treatments against pests and diseases, assessments of phenotypes are crucial, ranging from MTP screenings at lab scale to whole plant tests in greenhouses or test plots. In sensing of disease and stress occurrence, digital imaging technology together with artificial intelligence for symptomatic and pre-symptomatic disease detection allows more precise and guided activities against weeds, pests, or pathogens.
Contact us to discuss how we can make digital imaging technologies working for your effort to minimize pesticide use.
