Fungicide Sensor sniffs out fungal infestation | 10.11.2010
Fungal infestations of agricultural crops can lead to large yield losses and a reduction in quality. Farmers try to avoid this by widespread use of fungicides. Can precision farming help to minimise the financial expenditure and the ecological pollution associated with it? Agri Con is investigating this question, together with four partners, in the research project MykoSensExpert.
In a time period of three years, the project partners want to develop a system that identifies fusaria infestation in winter wheat and maize. Tools are needed with which precise statements about individual field areas can be made using measurements in the field and also show the type and strength of the fungal infestation. Instead of widespread treatment of the fields, the farmer could then, thanks to this invention, target the infestation or – in organic farming – leave this out in the harvest.
This would lower the use of fungicide, which is not only good for the finances of the farm, but also for the environment. It also increases the safety of organically produced products.
More information: