Prediction of pesticide residues in harvested products

Abstract

The present invention relates to the prediction of pesticide residues in plants or plant parts intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably in vegetables and / or fruit. The present invention relates to a method, a device, a system, and a computer program product for predicting pesticide residues.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the prediction of pesticide residues in plants or plant parts intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably in vegetables and / or fruit. The present invention relates to a method, a device, a system, and a computer program product for predicting pesticide residues.

[0002] Pesticide residues are residues of active substances that were used for plant protection, i.e. during plant production, and are detectable in the final product.

[0003] The use of pesticides is regulated by law in many countries and is intended to prevent any risk to animal and human health from pesticides. Specific application regulations (withdrawal periods or intervals between the last application and harvest, application quantities, and application restrictions) take the substance's properties into account and thus influence the formation and level of residues.

[0004] According to Section 9 (1) of the German Food, Consumer Goods and Feed Code (Food and Feed Code - LFGB), foodstuffs are excluded from commercial trade if they contain plant protection products that exceed certain maximum quantities set for the individual substances.

[0005] Maximum residue levels for pesticides in conventional food and feed have been harmonized in all European member states since September 1, 2008, with the entry into force of Regulation (EC) No. 396 / 2005. However, there are no globally uniform limit values.

[0006] Some retail chains (retailers) require their producers to produce plant-based foods with pesticide residues that are (significantly) below legal requirements. However, the requirements may vary between individual retail chains.

[0007] Pesticide residues can be determined and quantified in laboratories, for example. There are numerous service providers that perform pesticide residue determinations in food and feed on a contract basis.

[0008] It would be advantageous for a producer of plant-based food and feed to receive information during the cultivation of the plants about the expected levels of pesticide residues in the harvested products when the producer uses a defined pesticide according to a defined application program. The producer would then be able to control the amount of pesticide residues in the harvested product to a certain extent by changing the pesticide and / or the application program. Furthermore, it would be advantageous for such a producer to know at which residue levels which retail chains would accept their products and resell them to end customers.

[0009] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments can be found in the dependent patent claims, the drawings, and the present description.

[0010] The present invention relates to a device comprising an input unit, a control and calculation unit and an output unit wherein the control and calculation unit is configured to cause the input unit to receive and / or determine the following input information: information about a crop being cultivated, information about the cultivation of the crop, information about a plant protection product that has been used in the cultivation of the crop and / or whose use is planned, information about the application of the plant protection product, wherein the control and calculation unit is configured to calculate an amount of a residue of the plant protection product in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption at the time of harvesting the crop based on the input information, wherein the control and calculation unit is configured to cause the output unit to output information about the amount of the residue.

[0011] The present invention further relates to a method comprising the steps: Receiving and / or determining input information by a computer system, the input information comprising: information on a crop being cultivated, information on the cultivation of the crop, information on a plant protection product that has been used in the cultivation of the crop and / or whose use is planned, information on the application of the plant protection product, calculating an amount of a residue of the plant protection product in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably at the time of harvest, by the computer system, outputting information on the amount of the residue via an output unit of the computer system.

[0012] The present invention further relates to a system comprising a first computer system comprising an input unit, a first control and calculation unit, a first transmitting and receiving unit and an output unit, a second computer system comprising a second control and calculation unit and a second transmitting and receiving unit, wherein the first control and calculation unit is configured to cause the input unit to receive and / or determine the following input information: information about a crop being cultivated, information about the cultivation of the crop, information about a crop protection agent that has been used in the cultivation of the crop and / or whose use is planned, information about the application of the crop protection agent, wherein the first control and calculation unit is configured to cause the first transmitting and receiving unit to transmit the input information to the second computer system via a network, wherein the second control and calculation unit is configured to cause the second transmitting and receiving unit to receive the input information via the network, wherein the second control and calculation unit is configured,to calculate a quantity of a residue of the plant protection agent in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably at the time of harvest, based on the input information, wherein the second control and calculation unit is configured to cause the second transmitting and receiving unit to transmit the quantity of the residue to the first computer system via the network, wherein the first control and calculation unit is configured to cause the first transmitting and receiving unit to receive the quantity of the residue via the network, wherein the first control and calculation unit is configured to cause the output unit to output information on the quantity of the residue to a user.

[0013] The present invention further relates to a computer program product comprising a data carrier and program code stored on the data carrier, which causes a computer system, in whose working memory the program code is loaded, to carry out the following steps: Receiving and / or determining the following input information: ∘ Information on a crop being cultivated, ∘ Information on the cultivation of the crop, ∘ Information on a plant protection product that has been used in the cultivation of the crop and / or whose use is planned, ∘ Information on the application of the plant protection product, Calculating a quantity of a residue of the plant protection product in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably at the time of harvesting the crop, based on the input information, Outputting information on the quantity of the residue.

[0014] The invention is explained in more detail below, without distinguishing between the subject matter of the method, device, system, and computer program product. Rather, the following explanations are intended to apply analogously to all subject matter of the invention, regardless of the context (method, device, system, computer program product) in which they occur.

[0015] If steps are mentioned in a particular order in this description or in the claims, this does not necessarily mean that the invention is limited to the specified order. Rather, it is conceivable that the steps could also be performed in a different order or even in parallel; unless a step builds on another step, which absolutely requires that the subsequent step be performed (which will become clear in individual cases). The specified sequences therefore represent preferred embodiments.

[0016] The present invention is carried out using one or more computer systems.

[0017] A "computer system" is an electronic data processing system that processes data using programmable computing instructions. Such a system typically includes a "computer," the unit that includes a processor for performing logical operations, and peripherals.

[0018] In computer technology, "peripherals" refers to all devices connected to a computer that serve to control the computer and / or act as input and output devices. Examples include monitors, printers, scanners, mice, keyboards, drives, cameras, microphones, speakers, etc. Internal connectors and expansion cards are also considered peripherals in computer technology.

[0019] Today's computer systems are often divided into desktop PCs, portable PCs, laptops, notebooks, netbooks and tablet PCs and so-called handheld devices (e.g., smartphones); all of these devices can be used to implement the invention.

[0020] Inputs to the computer are made via input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, network connection, external storage device, and / or the like. Input also includes selecting an item from a virtual menu or list, clicking a checkbox, and the like. Output is typically provided via a screen (monitor), a printer, speakers, and / or storage on a data storage device.

[0021] The device according to the invention can be implemented as such a computer system. Furthermore, the system according to the invention can comprise several such computer systems.

[0022] The present invention serves to predict the residue amount of a plant protection product in and / or on the parts of a crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably at the time of harvest.

[0023] The prediction is made for a specific crop. The term "crop" refers to a plant that is purposefully cultivated as a useful plant through human intervention. Parts of the cultivated crop are suitable for human and / or animal consumption. In a preferred embodiment, the crop is a fruit plant or a vegetable plant.

[0024] The prediction is based on information that (further) specifies the crop, the pesticide, and cultivation conditions. This information is also referred to as "input information" in this description. The term "input information" should not be understood to mean that all of this information is entered into the computer system according to the invention by a user. Rather, some of the input information can also be determined by the computer system according to the invention (based on input information) (as explained in more detail below). In this respect, the term "input" refers more to the fact that the input information is incorporated as input into the calculation of a quantity of a pesticide residue.

[0025] The term "specify" is also used in this description. Depending on how an object is "specified," the term "specify" can have the meanings "input," "determine," "select," "preselect," "calculate," and / or "derive."

[0026] In a first step, the crop is specified. This is preferably done by a user entering the name of the crop or the name of the crop variety or a code for the crop / crop variety (e.g., according to the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants, ICNCP for short) into a computer system, or selecting the relevant information about the crop from a list or menu, or selecting a crop based on a visual representation of the crop (e.g., a photo or graphic).

[0027] It is also conceivable that the crop plant or the container in which the crop plant is located, or a bed in which the crop plant is grown, or a catalog in which the crop plant is listed, or packaging for the crop plant or for seeds for growing the crop plant is equipped with a machine-readable code that provides information about the crop plant. In such a case, the specification of the crop plant can consist of reading the machine-readable code with a suitable reading device and transmitting the read information about the crop plant to the computer system according to the invention by means of the reading device. Such a machine-readable code can be, for example, an optoelectronically readable code (e.g. barcode, 2D code (e.g. DataMatrix or QR code) or a code stored electronically in a semiconductor memory (e.g. an RFID chip).

[0028] It is also conceivable that the computer program product according to the invention is intended only for a single crop, i.e., it can only calculate / predict the amount of a residue of a plant protection product for a single crop or crop variety. In such a case, the step "specifying a crop" consists in a user selecting the corresponding computer program product to calculate residue amounts of one or more plant protection products in the crop for which the computer program is intended.

[0029] The cultivated plant is preferably selected from the following list: strawberry, tomato, cucumber, pepper, radish, radish, kohlrabi, carrot, celery, fennel, patinake, pea, bean, asparagus, spinach, chard, artichoke, salsify, lettuce, iceberg lettuce, lettuce, endive, chicory, eggplant, pumpkin, melon, zucchini, lamb's lettuce, sugar beet, rhubarb, white cabbage, red cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, raspberry, blackberry, elderberry, cherry, apple, pear, grape, plum.

[0030] In a further step, information on the cultivation of the crop (also referred to as cultivation parameters or cultivation conditions in this description) is specified.

[0031] The cultivation parameters can specify where and / or under what conditions the crop is grown. For example, it can specify whether the crop is grown outdoors, in a polytunnel (as practiced with strawberries), in a greenhouse, or similar. Due to the largely lack of weather influence (e.g., rain), residue levels in plants cultivated in greenhouses can be higher than in outdoor cultivation.

[0032] It can be specified whether artificial irrigation is used and, if necessary, the irrigation quantities can be specified.

[0033] In particular, in the case of a greenhouse, the user can preferably specify the conditions prevailing in the greenhouse, such as temperature (air, soil), humidity (air, soil) and carbon dioxide content in the air, for example in the form of a temporal progression over the day / night, maximum value, minimum value, mean value (e.g. arithmetic mean (average)), variance, temperature sums, radiation sums and / or the like.

[0034] The above-mentioned conditions (temperatures, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, radiation levels) can of course also be specified for crops grown in the open field or in a polytunnel. Preferably, the weather conditions are recorded during the crop's growing season. The following values ​​can be recorded: air temperature, air humidity, air pressure, wind speed, type and amount of precipitation, solar radiation, and the like. For example, daily maximum and daily mean values ​​(e.g., arithmetic means) can be recorded. Weather conditions can influence the degradation behavior of an active ingredient, while also determining the growth behavior of the crop.

[0035] Preferably, the geographical location of the field where the crop is grown is specified. Based on the geographical location of the field, values ​​for the specified conditions that prevail during the growing season (current values) or typically prevail (past averages) can then be read from databases, for example.

[0036] The term "field" refers to a spatially defined area of ​​the earth's surface that is used for agricultural purposes, in which crops are planted, supplied with nutrients and harvested.

[0037] The specification of the geographical position of a field can, for example, consist of specifying the country in which the field is located. It is also conceivable that a region in which the field is located is specified. Such a region can, for example, be a region with a defined climate that differs from the climate of neighboring regions. A region can be a cultivation area for a specific crop (for the definition of a cultivation area, see, for example, Journal für Kulturpflanzen, 61 (7), pp. 247-253, 2009, ISSN 0027-7479). A region can be a soil-climate space (for the definition of a soil-climate space, see, for example, Nachrichtenbl. Deut. Pflanzenschutzd., 59 (7), pp. 155-161, 2007, ISSN 0027-7479).

[0038] The specification of the geographical position of a field can further consist in providing the geographical coordinates (geocoordinates) of at least one point located within the field or at the edge of the field. Many fields have the shape of a polygon. For such a field, the geocoordinates of the corners of the polygon can be specified. It is conceivable that, in order to specify the geographical position of a field, a user draws the field boundaries on a virtual map displayed on a screen of the computer system according to the invention using a finger or an input device (e.g., a mouse).

[0039] It is conceivable that information on the cultivation of one or more crops (e.g. usual cultivation conditions) is already stored in a data memory. It is conceivable that the device or the system according to the invention reads the cultivation conditions usual for the crop from the data memory after specifying a crop and uses the read values ​​as the basis for the further calculation of the residue quantity. It is further conceivable that the cultivation conditions are determined by specifying the position; for defined countries and / or regions, usual cultivation conditions can be stored in the data memory and can form the basis for the further calculation. It is also conceivable that the computer program product according to the invention is intended only for a single crop that is cultivated under predetermined cultivation conditions.In such a case, the step of "specifying the cultivation conditions" consists in a user selecting the appropriate computer program product.

[0040] In a next step, at least one plant protection product is specified that is used, i.e. applied, in the cultivation of the specified crop.

[0041] The term "plant protection product" refers to a product used to protect plants or plant products from pests or to prevent their effects, to destroy undesirable plants or parts of plants, to inhibit undesirable plant growth or to prevent such growth, and / or to influence plant life processes in a manner other than through nutrients (e.g., growth regulators). These growth regulators serve, for example, to increase the stability of cereals by shortening the stalk length (stalk shorteners or, more accurately, internode shorteners), improve the rooting of cuttings, reduce plant height by compression in horticulture, or prevent the germination of potatoes. Growth regulators are usually phytohormones or their synthetic analogues. Examples of other plant protection products include herbicides, fungicides, and other pesticides (e.g.,Insecticides, nematicides, molluscicides and the like).

[0042] A plant protection product typically contains one or more active ingredients. "Active ingredients" are substances that have a specific effect in an organism and induce a specific reaction. Such an active ingredient can be a synthetically produced (chemical) active ingredient or a (biological) active ingredient obtained from an organism. Combinations are also conceivable. A plant protection product typically contains a carrier to dilute the one or more active ingredients. Additives such as preservatives, buffers, dyes, and the like are also conceivable. A plant protection product can be in solid, liquid, or gaseous form.

[0043] A "pest" is defined as an organism that can appear during the cultivation of crops and damage the crop, negatively impact the crop's yield, or compete with the crop for natural resources. Examples of such pests include weeds, grass weeds, animal pests such as beetles, caterpillars, and worms, fungi, and pathogens (e.g., bacteria and viruses). Although viruses are not considered organisms from a biological perspective, they are nevertheless considered to be pests for the purposes of this description.

[0044] The term "weed" (plural: weeds) refers to plants that spontaneously accompany vegetation in crop stands, grassland, or gardens, which are not deliberately cultivated there and develop, for example, from the seed potential of the soil or via airborne migration. The term is not limited to herbs in the strict sense, but also includes grasses, ferns, mosses, and woody plants. In plant protection, the term "weed" (plural: weeds) is often used to clarify the distinction from herbaceous plants. In this text, the term "weed" is used as a generic term to include weeds, unless reference is made to specific weeds or grass weeds.

[0045] The term "control" means preventing the infestation of a field / crop or part thereof with one or more pests and / or preventing the spread of one or more pests and / or reducing the number of pests present.

[0046] The specification of a plant protection product is important for two reasons: Firstly, the specification of the plant protection product also specifies the substance(s) whose residue level(s) is / are to be predicted according to the invention. The substance for which a residue level is to be predicted is usually the active ingredient of the plant protection product and / or a degradation product of the active ingredient that (also) exerts a biological effect in an organism. Secondly, the degradation behavior (and thus also the residue level) is largely determined by the chemical structure of the active ingredient and, if applicable, its formulation in the plant protection product. Models of degradation behavior are available for many active substances (see, for example, Environ. Sci. Technol. 2019, 53, 5838-5847; Soulas, G. & Lagacherie, B. Biol Fertil Soils (2001) 33: 551. https: / / doi.org / 10.1007 / s003740100363; Beulke, S. & Brown, CD Biol Fertil Soils (2001) 33: 558.https: / / doi.org / 10.1007 / s003740100364; Pagel, Holge, et al., Biogeochemistry, vol. 117, 2014, pp. 185-204., www.jstor.org / stable / 24716853; https: / / www.epa.gov / pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticiderisks / guidance-calculate-representative-half-life-values). Exponential degradation often occurs; that is, the amount of applied active ingredient decreases exponentially over time. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties of the active ingredient determine the extent to which the active ingredient is transported into edible parts via the plant's vascular system.

[0047] The specification of a plant protection product can, for example, be based on the product name of the plant protection product or another name or chemical formula for an active ingredient contained in the plant protection product.

[0048] It is also conceivable that a plant protection product is selected from a list based on a name and / or a pictorial representation (e.g. a photo of the product).

[0049] It is also conceivable that the packaging of the plant protection product contains a machine-readable code that provides information about the plant protection product and can be read by a suitable reader. As already described above, the machine-readable code can be an optoelectronically readable code and / or a code stored electronically in a semiconductor memory (e.g., an RFID tag).

[0050] It is conceivable that several plant protection products are specified which are / should be applied simultaneously or at different times.

[0051] It is also conceivable that the computer program product according to the invention is intended only for a single plant protection product, i.e., it can only calculate / predict the amount of a residue of a specific plant protection product. In such a case, the step "specifying a plant protection product" consists in a user selecting the corresponding computer program product to determine residue amounts of the plant protection product in a crop for which the computer program is intended.

[0052] Preferably, the device according to the invention and the system according to the invention are configured such that they make a preselection for the at least one plant protection agent on the basis of the information on the cultivated crop and / or on the basis of the information on the geographical position of the field and / or on the basis of the cultivation conditions.The term "pre-selection" in the context of a plant protection product means that the device / system selects from a list of plant protection products and displays to the user those plant protection products that are commonly used on the specified crop and / or commonly used to control pests that may occur on the specified crop, and / or those plant protection products that are effective against pests that may occur under the conditions prevailing at the geographical location of the specified field or in the greenhouse. A user can then select one (or more) of the pre-selected plant protection products for which a residue calculation is to be performed.It is also conceivable that only one pesticide could be considered during the pre-selection, which could then be displayed to a user.

[0053] Depending on the geographical location specified for the field, the list of preselected plant protection products can vary. Preferably, the device and system according to the invention are configured to preselect and display only those plant protection products for which there is an official approval for application in the country in which the respective field is located. Corresponding information on official approvals can be stored in one or more databases.

[0054] In a further step, the application of the plant protection product is specified (in more detail), preferably using application parameters. These application parameters include the type of treatment, the application rate, and at least one time or at least one period of time at which / in which the plant protection product is / should be applied in the specified amount. The earlier in the crop's growing season a treatment is carried out, the lower the amount of residues is usually.

[0055] It is conceivable that pesticides are applied multiple times (at different times or over different periods) during a growing season. In the case of multiple applications, the number of applications and the time interval between applications can be specified. The application rates can be the same or vary for multiple applications. The type of treatment and / or the pesticide used can also vary. The time interval between the last application of a pesticide and the harvest is of great importance: pesticide residues are generally broken down over time; therefore, the longer the time since the last application, the lower the residue amount will generally be.

[0056] When specifying the type of treatment, it can be stated, for example, whether it is a treatment of the seed or the plant at a specific stage of development. Treatments applied directly to the crop typically result in higher residue levels than, for example, seed treatments before sowing. Furthermore, it can be specified which plant parts are being treated (e.g., leaves, fruits, and / or roots) or whether a soil treatment is being performed.

[0057] The "application rate" is the amount of a plant protection product required to control pests. This amount is usually expressed per area (when applied to the field), per unit volume (e.g., in a greenhouse), or per seed quantity (e.g., when dressing). The amount can be expressed in weight (e.g., kg) or volume (e.g., L). The amount can refer to the total amount of the plant protection product or to the active ingredient contained in the plant protection product. The larger the amount of active ingredient applied per area, the higher the amount of residues in / on / at the crop tends to be.

[0058] If water is used to dilute a pesticide, the amount of water used can also be specified.

[0059] The application parameters can be entered by a user into the device or system according to the invention. Furthermore, the application parameters can be determined in whole or in part by the device or system according to the invention using the information already entered regarding the crop, the geographical location of the field, the cultivation conditions, and / or the plant protection product.

[0060] It is conceivable, for example, that the manufacturer or distributor of a plant protection product has provided information regarding when and in what quantities the plant protection product should be applied. This information can be stored in an internal or external data storage device that can be accessed by the device / system according to the invention. The device / system can thus be configured to generate a suggestion, based on the available information, regarding when and in what quantities the plant protection product should be applied.

[0061] The times / periods at which / in which plant protection products are applied can, for example, (also) be based on the developmental stage of the crop. The developmental stage of a plant can, for example, be specified in the form of the so-called BBCH code. The abbreviation BBCH officially stands for the Federal Biological Research Center, the Federal Plant Variety Office and the Chemical Industry. The extended BBCH scale for the uniform coding of the phenological development stages of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants is a joint effort of the Federal Biological Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry (BBA), the Federal Plant Variety Office (BSA), the Agricultural Industry Association (IVA) and the Institute for Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Cultivation Großbeeren / Erfurt. It is conceivable that a user enters the (extended) BBCH code for the cultivated crop into the device / system. It is also conceivable that the device / system is configured to calculate the BBCH code itself.For example, it is conceivable that the user has entered the time of planting / sowing of the crop into the device / system and the device / system calculates the BBCH code using the time of planting / sowing.

[0062] It is conceivable that the device / system according to the invention is configured to calculate the development stage of the crop using a plant growth model. Such a plant growth model can, for example, be a mathematical model that describes the growth of a plant as a function of intrinsic (genetics) and extrinsic (environmental) factors. An overview of the creation of plant growth models is provided, for example, in the books i) "Mathematical Modeling and Simulation" by Marco Günther and Kai Velten, published by Wiley-VCH Verlag in October 2014 (ISBN: 978-3-527-41217-4), and ii) " Working with Dynamic Crop Models" by Daniel Wallach, David Makowski, James W. Jones and Francois Brun., published in 2014 by Academic Press (Elsevier), USA.

[0063] Plant growth models exist for a wide variety of crops. The plant growth model typically simulates the growth of a crop population over a defined period of time. It is also conceivable to use a model based on a single plant, simulating the energy and material flows in the individual organs of the plant. Mixed models are also possible.

[0064] The growth of a cultivated plant is determined not only by the genetic characteristics of the plant but also by the local weather conditions prevailing over the plant's lifetime (quantity and spectral distribution of incoming solar rays, temperature variations, rainfall, wind input), the condition of the soil and the nutrient supply.

[0065] Cultivation measures already carried out (in the past) and any infestation with pests that may have occurred can also have an influence on plant growth and can be taken into account in the growth model.

[0066] The plant growth models are usually so-called dynamic process-based models (see "Working with Dynamic Crop Models" by Daniel Wallach, David Makowski, James W. Jones and Francois Brun., published in 2014 by Academic Press (Elsevier), USA), but can also be completely or partially rule-based or statistically or data-supported / empirical. The models are usually so-called point models. The models are usually calibrated so that the output reflects the spatial representation of the input. If the input is collected at a point in space or is interpolated or estimated for a point in space, it is usually assumed that the model output is valid for the entire adjacent field. The application of so-called point models calibrated at the field level to other, usually coarser scales is known (see, for example: H. Hoffmann et al.: Impact of spatial soil and climate input data aggregation on regional yield simulations. PLoS ONE 11(4): e0151782. doi:10.1371 / journal.pone.0151782). An application of this so-calledPoint models for multiple points within a field enable site-specific modeling. However, this neglects spatial dependencies, such as those in the soil water balance. On the other hand, systems for temporally and spatially explicit modeling also exist. These take spatial dependencies into account.

[0067] Examples of dynamic, process-based plant growth models are Apsim, Lintul, Epic, Hermes, Monica, STICS, and others. A comparison of the models and relevant literature on the models can be found, for example, in the following publication and the references listed therein: H. Hoffmann et al.: Impact of spatial soil and climate input data aggregation on regional yield simulations. PLoS ONE 11(4): e0151782. doi: 10.1371 / journal.pone.0151782.

[0068] The following parameters can be included in the modeling of plant growth: (a) Weather: daily precipitation totals, radiation totals, daily minimum and maximum air temperature as well as temperature near the ground and soil temperature, wind speed, etc. (b) Soil: soil type, soil texture, soil type, field capacity, permanent wilting point, organic carbon, mineral nitrogen content, bulk density, Van Genuchten parameters, etc. (c) Crop: species, variety, variety-specific parameters such as specific leaf area index, temperature totals, maximum root depth, etc. (d) Cultural measures: seed, sowing date, sowing density, sowing depth, fertilizer, fertilizer rate, number of fertilization dates, fertilization date, soil cultivation, crop residues, crop rotation, distance to the field of the same crop in the previous year, irrigation, etc.

[0069] With the help of a plant growth model, the amount of biomass present at a given time and / or the size of the leaf area and / or the amount of fruit (fruit mass) and / or the number of shoots present and / or the like can also be calculated. It is conceivable that a plant with more biomass and / or a larger leaf area requires a larger amount of pesticide than a plant with less biomass and / or a smaller leaf area. It is conceivable that the amount of biomass present - particularly in the form of fruit - at the time of application of a pesticide influences the amount of residue. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the amount of biomass of the cultivated crop present at a given time (particularly at the time of application of a pesticide) is therefore also included in the calculation of the amount of residue.

[0070] Remote sensing data can also be used to determine and / or predict the amount of biomass present and / or to optimize plant growth models. "Remote sensing data" is digital information acquired remotely from the Earth's surface, for example, by satellites. The use of aircraft (unmanned (drones) or manned) to collect remote sensing data is also conceivable. Remote sensing sensors generate digital images of areas of the Earth's surface from which information about the vegetation and / or environmental conditions prevailing there can be obtained (see, for example, M.S. Moran et al.: Opportunities and Limitations for Image-Based Remote Sensing in Precision Crop Management, Remote Sensing of Environment (1997) 61: 319-346). The data from these sensors is obtained via the interfaces provided by the provider and can be optical and electromagnetic (e.g.,Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data sets from different processing levels.

[0071] Sensors can also be deployed in the field to determine the development stage and / or the available biomass of the crops. The sensors can be positioned stationary in the field; it is also conceivable to equip agricultural machinery and / or robots moving through the field with corresponding sensors.

[0072] The times / periods at which / in which plant protection products are applied can be based on the development stages and / or the spread of pests. Prediction models are also available for the development and / or spread of pests (see, for example, WO2017 / 222722A1, WO2018 / 058821A1, US20020016676, US20180018414A1, WO2018 / 099220A1). Such models can be used to predict times at which there is a high risk of crop infestation by pests. Pest control with a plant protection product is preferably carried out when the (calculated) risk of infestation is particularly high (e.g., exceeds a defined threshold). The models for predicting infestation by a pest also usually use weather data and historical data.

[0073] The device according to the invention and the system according to the invention are configured to calculate the amount of at least one residue of a plant protection product in and / or on the crop or in and / or on a part of the crop, preferably at the time of harvest, based on the available information (input information, information derived from the input information, and / or information read from one or more data storage devices using the input information). If a significant reduction in the amount of residue still occurs after harvest (e.g., during storage, through washing, and / or the like), the amount of residue can (also) be calculated for a time other than the time of harvest and / or for a state following a specific treatment (e.g., washing, exposure to electromagnetic radiation, heat or cold treatment, and / or the like).

[0074] The calculation of the amount of at least one residue can be based, for example, on empirically determined data on the distribution of plant protection products in parts of the crop and on the degradation of plant protection products.

[0075] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the amount of at least one pesticide residue is calculated using a regression model based on empirical data. The regression model describes the relationship between the input information (e.g., geographical location of the field, crop, pesticide, and application parameters) and at least one output value (amount of the pesticide residue, preferably at the time of harvest).

[0076] The regression model can be created using machine learning. Such a model is preferably created using supervised learning. The regression model is trained to make a prediction for at least one output date based on input data. Empirical data can be used to train and validate the model. This means that the pesticide residue levels that will occur, for example, at harvest time, are empirically determined for a variety of crops, cultivation conditions, pesticides, and application conditions. A corresponding regression model can then be created from this empirically obtained data.

[0077] When examining such empirical data, it was found that for a wide variety of crops and pesticides, pesticide residue levels can be predicted based on a small amount of input information. At least the following information is required (as input information, e.g., for the regression model): crop, growing conditions or a parameter correlated with the growing conditions, pesticide, application rate of the pesticide, and the time period between application of the pesticide and harvest. One parameter correlated with the growing conditions is, for example, the amount of biomass present at the time of application. This can be determined empirically using sensors, as described above, and / or calculated using a plant growth model, and / or specified by the user (e.g., by visual inspection).In a particularly preferred embodiment, the prediction of the residue quantity is based on the following information (which is also used to train the corresponding regression model): cultivated crop, country or region in which the crop is cultivated or amount of biomass and / or fruit mass present in the cultivated crop at the time of application of the plant protection product (or a correlating value such as the diameter of a plant or fruit), plant protection product to be used or used, application rate of the plant protection product to be used or used, and the length of time between the time of application and the time of harvest. It is particularly advantageous if, in addition to the input information mentioned, one or more of the following additional input information on the weather during the cultivation phase is included in the calculation: solar radiation (e.g.in the form of sunshine hours), humidity and / or temperature.

[0078] Details on how to create a regression model are described in the state of the art (see, for example, Norman Matloff: Statistical Regression and Classification - From Linear Models to Machine Learning, Texts in Statistical Science, CRC Press 2017, ISBN 978-1-4987-1091-6; Pratap Dangeti, Statistics for Machine Learning, Packt Publishing 2017, ISBN 978-1-78829-575-8).

[0079] Preferably, it is a non-linear regression model (see e.g.: Christian Ritz, Jens Carl Streibig: Nonlinear Regression with R, Springer Science & Business Media, 2008, ISBN 9780387096162; R. Russell Rhinehart: Nonlinear Regression Modeling for Engineering Applications: Modeling, Model Validation, and Enabling Design of Experiments, Wiley-ASME Press Series, John Wiley & Sons, 2016, ISBN 9781118597965; Hossein Riazoshams et al.: Robust Nonlinear Regression: with Applications using R, John Wiley & Sons, 2018, ISBN 9781118738061).

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the residue quantity is calculated using a non-linear regression model based on the following input information: cultivated crops used plant protection product number of applications with the plant protection product and applied quantities time period between the last application and the time of harvest average air and / or soil temperature on the respective days of the applications average air humidity on the respective days of the applications accumulated radiant energy (solar radiation or artificial lighting) on ​​the respective days of the applications average diameter and / or average height of the cultivated crops on the respective days of application.

[0081] The determined amount of residue can be output to a user. The output is, for example, in the form of text and / or numbers and / or graphics on a monitor (screen) and / or printer of the device / system according to the invention.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the determined residue amount is compared with one or more maximum amounts. The at least one maximum amount is, for example, an officially permitted maximum residue amount for the respective plant protection product in a crop.

[0083] The minimum maximum quantity may also be a maximum residue level in a crop required by a dealer for the respective plant protection product. A "dealer" within the meaning of the present invention is a natural or legal person who purchases crops or parts of crops from a producer and resells them (e.g., to end customers (consumers)).

[0084] The minimum maximum quantity can also be a quantity defined by a user.

[0085] The at least one maximum quantity can be stored in one or more data memories which can be accessed by the device and system according to the invention.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment, the user is shown the extent to which the determined residue quantity exceeds or falls below one or more maximum quantities. It is conceivable for the user to specify a country or region and the user is shown whether and / or the extent to which the determined residue quantity exceeds or falls below the maximum quantity permitted for the specified country or region. It is conceivable for the user to be able to specify multiple countries / regions. It is conceivable for the user to specify a dealer and the user is shown whether and / or the extent to which the determined residue quantity exceeds or falls below the maximum quantity permitted by the specified dealer. It is conceivable for the user to be able to specify multiple dealers.

[0087] In a preferred embodiment, the determined amount of the pesticide residue is output in the form of a percentage and / or in the form of a graphic representation of the percentage, wherein the percentage indicates the percentage share of the calculated residue amount in relation to a maximum residue amount, preferably one permitted by law or authorities and / or a maximum residue amount prescribed by a dealer. In a preferred embodiment, the user can select one or more countries / regions and the user is shown how large the calculated residue amount is in relation to the maximum residue amount prescribed in the country / region. In a preferred embodiment, the user can select one or more dealers and the user is shown how large the calculated residue amount is in relation to the maximum residue amount prescribed by the dealer.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment, the calculated residue level is adjusted to the maximum residue limit prescribed by an authority (" maximum residue limit", " maximum residue level", The maximum residue limit (MRL) is the maximum permissible residue concentration. In the EU, for example, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is responsible for recommending maximum residue levels, which, once adopted by the European Commission, become legally binding standards for food safety.

[0089] The maximum residue level is normally determined through repeated field trials (on the order of 10) in which the crop has been treated according to good agricultural practice (GAP) and an appropriate pre-harvest interval or residence time has elapsed. For many pesticides, the maximum residue level is at their detection limit (" limit of detection" , LOD). The limit of quantification (" limit of quantification" , LOQ) is used instead of the LOD. As a rule of thumb, the LOQ is approximately twice the LOD. For substances not included in any annex to EU regulations, a default maximum residue level of 0.01 mg / kg normally applies (see e.g. https: / / ec.europa.eu / food / plant / pesticides / max_residue_levels_en). Instead of or in addition to the MRL, the calculated residue level can also be related to other common quantities, such as ARfD, ADI and / or TDI. The acute reference dose (" acute reference dose" The acceptable daily intake (ARfD) is an estimate of the amount of a substance in food or drinking water that can be ingested over a short period of time, usually during a meal or a day, without appreciable health risk to the consumer. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) is the dose of a substance that is considered medically safe if consumed daily throughout life. If the substance is an unwanted contaminant, it is referred to as the tolerable daily intake (TDI).

[0090] In a preferred embodiment, the device / system according to the invention is configured such that, at defined times or when defined events occur, the residue amount calculation is updated to take into account a change in the cultivation conditions, the crop protection product, and / or the application parameters. For example, an initial calculation of the residue amount can be based on a climate typical for the respective country or region in which the crop is grown. Over the course of the growing season, the calculation is then adapted to the actual prevailing weather conditions. In a similar manner, the calculation can be updated based on the actual applications of a crop protection product.Furthermore, an update can be carried out on the basis of sensor data (e.g. remote sensing data and / or field data), whereby the sensor data can, for example, provide information on the development stage of the crop and / or an expected harvest yield.

[0091] In a preferred embodiment, the device / system according to the invention is configured so that the user can change the specified crop protection agent and / or the application parameters, whereupon the amount of a residue of the crop protection agent is recalculated and displayed. This enables the user to plan ahead and evaluate how a change in the crop protection agent and / or the application parameters affects the amount of residue.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment, the device / system according to the invention is configured, in response to a user input for optimizing the residue amount, to modify the crop protection product and / or the application parameters such that a minimum residue amount is achieved. During such an optimization, the user can decide which parameters are modifiable and which are unmodifiable. The device / system then modifies the modifiable parameters until a minimum residue amount is reached and outputs the modified parameters as well as the calculated (minimal) residue amount to the user. Methods for mathematical optimization can be found in the numerous textbooks on this topic (see, for example, Peter Gritzmann: Fundamentals of Mathematical Optimization, Springer Spektrum 2013, ISBN: 978-3-528-07290-2).

[0093] Further preferred embodiments of the invention are: Embodiment 1: A method comprising the steps of: specifying a crop; specifying cultivation parameters for cultivating the crop; specifying a crop protection agent; specifying application parameters for applying the crop protection agent; calculating an amount of a residue of the crop protection agent in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption at the time of harvest; and displaying the amount of the residue to a user. Embodiment 2: The method according to embodiment 1, further comprising the following steps: determining a maximum amount of a residue of the specified crop protection agent in the specified crop or parts thereof; comparing the calculated amount of the residue with the determined maximum amount; displaying the amount to the user.the extent to which the calculated amount of residue exceeds the maximum amount. Embodiment 3: The method according to embodiment 2, wherein the maximum amount is an officially permitted maximum amount of a residue of the specified plant protection product in the specified crop or parts thereof for a country or region. Embodiment 4: The method according to embodiment 2, wherein the maximum amount is a maximum amount of a residue prescribed by a dealer for the specified plant protection product in the specified crop or parts thereof. Embodiment 5: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, further comprising the step(s): displaying those countries / regions,for which the calculated residue amount does not exceed an officially permitted maximum residue limit in the specified crop or parts thereof and / or notification of those dealers for whom the calculated residue amount does not exceed a prescribed maximum residue limit in the specified crop or parts thereof. Embodiment 6: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the crop is specified by indicating the cultivated crop variety, wherein the cultivation parameters are specified by indicating the country or region in which the crop is cultivated, wherein the application parameters are specified by indicating the application rate of the crop protection product to be applied or applied and the length of the period between the time of application and the time of harvest. Embodiment 7: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6,wherein the amount of residue of the plant protection product is calculated based on at least the following information: cultivated crop; country or region in which the crop is cultivated; plant protection product to be used or used; application rate of the plant protection product to be used or used; length of time between the time of application and the time of harvest. Embodiment 8: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6,wherein the amount of the residue of the plant protection product is calculated based on at least the following information: cultivated crop, plant protection product to be used or used, application rate of the plant protection product to be used or used, amount of biomass and / or fruit mass present in the cultivated crop at the time of application of the plant protection product, length of time between the time of application and the time of harvest. Embodiment 9: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the amount of the residue of the plant protection product is calculated using a regression model. Embodiment 10: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the amount of the residue of the plant protection product is calculated using a self-learning algorithm that has been trained using empirical data,to predict the amount of residue of the pesticide based on information, wherein the information comprises: cultivated crop, country or region in which the crop is cultivated or amount of biomass and / or fruit mass present in the cultivated crop at the time of application of the pesticide, pesticide to be used or used, application rate of the pesticide to be used or used, length of time between the time of application and the time of harvest. Embodiment 11: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the amount of residue is displayed to a user as a proportion of a maximum amount specified by a government authority and / or a retailer. Embodiment 12: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, further comprising the following steps: specifying variables relating to the cultivated crop,regarding the cultivation parameters, the crop protection agent, and / or the application parameters that are changeable and / or variables that are unchangeable; automated modification of the changeable variables and determination of those values ​​of the changeable variables at which the amount of the crop protection agent residue reaches a minimum; displaying the values ​​of the changeable variables at which the amount of the crop protection agent residue reaches a minimum and displaying the minimum to the user. Embodiment 13: A device comprising an input unit, a control and calculation unit, and an output unit, wherein the control and calculation unit is configured to cause the input unit,to receive and / or determine the following information: cultivated crop; cultivation parameters; plant protection product to be used / used for cultivating the crop; application parameters for applying the plant protection product; wherein the control and calculation unit is configured to calculate an amount of a residue of the plant protection product in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption at the time of harvest, wherein the control and calculation unit is configured to cause the output unit to output the amount of the residue to a user. Embodiment 14: A system comprising a first computer system comprising an input unit, a first control and calculation unit, a first transmitting and receiving unit, and an output unit; a second computer system comprising a second control and calculation unit and a second transmitting and receiving unit;wherein the first control and calculation unit is configured to cause the input unit to receive and / or determine the following input information: cultivated crop, cultivation parameters for cultivating the crop, plant protection product to be used / used, application parameters for applying the plant protection product, wherein the first control and calculation unit is configured to cause the first transmitting and receiving unit to transmit the input information to the second computer system via a network, wherein the second control and calculation unit is configured to cause the second transmitting and receiving unit to receive the input information via the network, wherein the second control and calculation unit is configured,to calculate a quantity of a residue of the plant protection agent in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption at the time of harvest based on the input information, wherein the second control and calculation unit is configured to cause the second transmitting and receiving unit to transmit the quantity of the residue to the first computer system via the network, wherein the first control and calculation unit is configured to cause the first transmitting and receiving unit to receive the quantity of the residue via the network, wherein the first control and calculation unit is configured to cause the output unit to output the quantity of the residue to a user. Embodiment 15: A computer program product comprising a data carrier and program code stored on the data carrier and comprising a computer system in whose working memory the program code is loaded.to carry out the following steps: Receiving and / or determining the following information: ∘ cultivated crop ∘ cultivation parameters for cultivating the crop ∘ plant protection product to be used / used ∘ application parameters for applying the plant protection product Calculating an amount of a residue of the plant protection product in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption at the time of harvest Displaying the amount of the residue to a user. Embodiment 16: Device comprising an input unit, a control and calculation unit, and an output unit, wherein the control and calculation unit is configured to cause the input unit to receive and / or determine the following input information: Information about a crop being cultivated, information about the cultivation of the crop, information about a plant protection product,that has been used in the cultivation of the crop and / or whose use is planned, information on the application of the plant protection agent, wherein the control and calculation unit is configured to calculate a quantity of a residue of the plant protection agent in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably at the time of harvesting the crop, based on the input information, wherein the control and calculation unit is configured to cause the output unit to output information on the quantity of the residue. Embodiment 17: Device according to embodiment 16, wherein the control and calculation unit is configured to determine a maximum quantity of a residue of the plant protection agent in the crop or parts thereof, to compare the calculated quantity of the residue with the determined maximum quantity, and to cause the output unit to output the information,whether and / or to what extent the calculated residue amount exceeds or falls below the maximum amount. Embodiment 18: Device according to embodiment 17, wherein the maximum amount is an officially permitted maximum amount of a residue of the plant protection product in the crop or parts thereof for a country or region. Embodiment 19: Device according to embodiment 17, wherein the maximum amount is a maximum amount of a residue in the crop or parts thereof prescribed by a dealer for the plant protection product. Embodiment 20: Device according to one of embodiments 16 to 19, wherein the control and calculation unit is configured to determine countries and / or regions for which the calculated residue amount does not exceed an officially permitted maximum amount of the residue in the crop or parts thereof, and / or to determine dealers,for which the calculated amount of residue does not exceed a prescribed maximum residue level in the crop or parts thereof, to cause the output unit to output the information about which countries and / or regions and / or dealers have been identified. Embodiment 21: Device according to one of embodiments 16 to 20, wherein the input information comprises the following information: cultivated crop variety and / or a country and / or a region in which the crop is cultivated, and / or an application rate of the crop protection agent, and / or a length of a period between a time of application of the crop protection agent and the time of harvest. Embodiment 22: Device according to one of embodiments 16 to 21, wherein the calculation of the amount of residue of the crop protection agent is carried out at least based on the following input information: cultivated crop, country or region,in which the crop is grown, the plant protection product to be used or used, the application rate of the plant protection product to be used or used, and the length of time between the time of application and the time of harvest. Embodiment 23: Device according to one of embodiments 16 to 22, wherein the calculation of the amount of the residue of the plant protection product is carried out at least on the basis of the following input information: cultivated crop, the plant protection product to be used or used, the application rate of the plant protection product to be used or used, the amount of biomass and / or fruit mass present in the cultivated crop at the time of application of the plant protection product, and the length of time between the time of application and the time of harvest. Embodiment 24: Device according to one of embodiments 16 to 23,wherein the calculation of the amount of the residue of the pesticide is carried out using a regression model. Embodiment 25: Device according to one of the embodiments of claims 16 to 24, wherein the calculation of the amount of the residue of the pesticide is carried out using a model that has been trained by a self-learning algorithm with empirical data to predict the amount of the residue of the pesticide based on information, wherein the information comprises: cultivated crop, country or region,in which the crop is grown or the amount of biomass and / or fruit mass present in the cultivated crop at the time of application of the crop protection agent; the crop protection agent to be used or applied; the application rate of the crop protection agent to be used or applied; the length of time between the time of application and the time of harvest. Embodiment 26: Device according to one of embodiments 16 to 25, wherein the amount of residue is displayed to a user as a proportion of a maximum amount specified by a government authority and / or a retailer. Embodiment 27: Device according to one of embodiments 16 to 26, wherein the input information is received and / or determined in the form of parameter values, and wherein the control and calculation unit is configured to cause the input unit to receive and / or determine further input information.wherein the further input information indicates which of the parameters are modifiable and which of the parameters are unmodifiable, by changing the values ​​of the modifiable parameters, determining those values ​​at which the amount of the calculated residue reaches a minimum, causing the output unit to output those values ​​at which the amount of the calculated residue reaches a minimum. Embodiment 28: Method comprising the steps: receiving and / or determining input information by a computer system, wherein the input information comprises: information about a crop being cultivated, information about the cultivation of the crop, information about a plant protection product that has been used in the cultivation of the crop and / or whose use is planned, information about the application of the plant protection product,Calculating an amount of a residue of the pesticide in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably at the time of harvest, by the computer system; outputting information about the amount of the residue via an output unit of the computer system. Embodiment 29: System comprising a first computer system comprising an input unit, a first control and calculation unit, a first transmitting and receiving unit, and an output unit; a second computer system comprising a second control and calculation unit and a second transmitting and receiving unit; wherein the first control and calculation unit is configured to cause the input unit to receive and / or determine the following input information: information about a crop being cultivated, information about the cultivation of the crop, information about a pesticide,which has been used in the cultivation of the crop and / or whose use is planned, information on the application of the plant protection agent, wherein the first control and calculation unit is configured to cause the first transmitting and receiving unit to transmit the input information to the second computer system via a network, wherein the second control and calculation unit is configured to cause the second transmitting and receiving unit to receive the input information via the network, wherein the second control and calculation unit is configured to calculate an amount of a residue of the plant protection agent in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably at the time of harvest, based on the input information, wherein the second control and calculation unit is configured to cause the second transmitting and receiving unit,to transmit the amount of residue to the first computer system via the network, wherein the first control and calculation unit is configured to cause the first transmitting and receiving unit to receive the amount of residue via the network, wherein the first control and calculation unit is configured to cause the output unit to output the amount of residue to a user. Embodiment 30: Computer program product comprising a data carrier and program code stored on the data carrier, which causes a computer system, into whose working memory the program code is loaded, to perform the following steps: receiving and / or determining the following input information: information about a crop being cultivated, information about the cultivation of the crop, information about a crop protection agent that has been used in the cultivation of the crop and / or whose use is planned,Information on the application of the plant protection product, Calculating the amount of a residue of the plant protection product in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably at the time of harvest, based on the input information, Outputting information on the amount of the residue.

[0094] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures, without wishing to limit the invention to the features and combinations of features shown in the figures.

[0095] Fig. 1 shows, by way of example and schematically, an embodiment of the device according to the invention. The device (10) comprises an input unit (11), a control and calculation unit (12), and an output unit (13). A user can enter information and control commands into the device via the input unit (11). Information can be output to a user via the output unit (13), preferably displayed on a monitor. The control and calculation unit (12) is primarily used to control the components of the device (10), to process the information entered and to be output, and to carry out calculations and logical operations.

[0096] The control and calculation unit (12) is configured to cause the input unit (11) to receive the following information: ∘ cultivated crop ∘ cultivation parameters for cultivating the crop ∘ plant protection product to be used / used ∘ application parameters for applying the plant protection product, to calculate, on the basis of the received information, an amount of a residue of the plant protection product in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably at the time of harvest, and to cause the output unit (13) to output the amount of the residue to a user.

[0097] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary and schematic representation of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention. In addition to the input unit (11), the control and calculation unit (12) and the output unit (13) as described in relation to Fig. 1 As described, the device (10) is connected, for example, via a network to a data storage device (30). The data storage device (30) can store, for example, information on crops (e.g. preferred cultivation conditions), on plant protection products (e.g. preferred application parameters), on the climate of a country or region, on the weather of a country or region, on the spread of harmful organisms in a country or region, and the like. The control and calculation unit (12) can be configured to access the information stored in the data storage device (30) and to use it to calculate the amount of residue of a plant protection product. Furthermore, the control and calculation unit (12) can be configured to store information in the data storage device (30). It is conceivable that the data storage device (30) comprises a plurality of data storage devices.

[0098] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary and schematic embodiment of the system according to the invention. The system (S) comprises a first computer system (10) and a second computer system (20). The first computer system (10) is preferably designed as a desktop, laptop, or tablet computer, or as a smartphone. The second computer system (20) is preferably designed as a server. The first computer system (10) is operated by a user. The first computer system (10) serves as a communication interface between the user and the system (S). The second computer system (20) serves to assume some functionalities that, in the device according to the invention, are performed by the control and calculation unit of the device. Reasons for shifting functionalities to a second computer system can be: Calculations require high computing power; these calculations are transferred to a server equipped with the appropriate computing power; calculations should always be based on the latest versions of models and current data; these latest versions of models and current data are provided via a server.

[0099] Typically, there are a plurality of first computer systems operated by different users, and only one second computer system or a smaller number (compared to the number of first computer systems) of second computer systems that provide resources (computing power, data, models) for the plurality of first computer systems via a network or multiple networks.

[0100] The first computer system (10) comprises an input unit (11), a first control and calculation unit (12), an output unit (13), and a first transmitting and receiving unit (14). The second computer system (20) comprises a second control and calculation unit (22) and a second transmitting and receiving unit (24). The first computer system (10) and the second computer system (20) can exchange information via a network (represented by the dashed line) between the first transmitting and receiving unit (14) of the first computer system (10) and the second transmitting and receiving unit (24) of the second computer system (20). The network can comprise a mobile network, e.g., one based on the GSM, GPRS, 2G, 3G, LTE, 4G, 5G, or another standard.

[0101] The first control and calculation unit (12) is configured to receive the following input information from a user via the input unit (11): cultivated crop cultivation parameters plant protection product to be used / used for the cultivation of the crop application parameters for the application of the plant protection product.

[0102] The first control and calculation unit (12) is configured to cause the first transmitting and receiving unit (14) to transmit the input information to the second computer system (20) via the network.

[0103] The second control and calculation unit (22) is configured to cause the second transmitting and receiving unit (24) to receive the input information via the network.

[0104] The second control and calculation unit (22) is configured to calculate an amount of a residue of the plant protection agent in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably at the time of harvest, on the basis of the input information.

[0105] The second control and calculation unit (22) is configured to cause the second transmitting and receiving unit (24) to transmit the amount of residue to the first computer system (10) via the network.

[0106] The first control and calculation unit (12) is configured to cause the first transmitting and receiving unit (14) to receive the amount of residue via the network.

[0107] The first control and calculation unit (12) is configured to cause the output unit (13) to output the amount of the residue to the user.

[0108] The system (S) according to the invention can comprise one or more data storage devices. Information on crops (e.g., preferred growing conditions), on plant protection products (e.g., preferred application parameters), on the climate of a country or region, on the weather of a country or region, on the spread of pests in a country or region, and the like can be stored on such a data storage device. Such a data storage device can be a component of the first computer system (10), the second computer system (20), and / or a separate unit that can be connected to the first computer system (10) and / or the second computer system (20) via a network.

[0109] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary and schematic embodiment of the method according to the invention in the form of a flowchart. The method (100) comprises the steps: (110) Specifying a crop (120) Specifying cultivation parameters for cultivating the crop (130) Specifying a plant protection product (140) Specifying application parameters for applying the plant protection product (150) Calculating an amount of a residue of the plant protection product in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably at the time of harvest (160) Displaying the amount of the residue to a user.

[0110] Fig. 5 shows, by way of example and schematically in the form of a flowchart, the steps executed by a computer system on which the computer program product according to the invention is installed. The steps (200) include: (210) Receiving the following information: ∘ cultivated crop ∘ cultivation parameters for cultivating the crop ∘ plant protection product to be used / used ∘ application parameters for applying the plant protection product (220) Calculating an amount of a residue of the plant protection product in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably at the time of harvest (230) Displaying the amount of the residue to a user.

[0111] Fig. 6 shows, by way of example and schematically in the form of a flowchart, the steps performed by a computer system on which a preferred embodiment of the computer program product is installed. The steps (300) include: (310) Receiving the following input information from a user: ∘ cultivated crop ∘ cultivation parameters for cultivating the crop ∘ plant protection product to be used / used ∘ application parameters for applying the plant protection product (320) Transmitting the input information to a second computer system (330) Receiving an amount of a residue of the plant protection product in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, preferably at the time of harvest, from the second computer system (340) Displaying the amount of the residue to a user.

[0112] Fig. 7 bis Fig. 20 show exemplary displays of the computer program product according to the invention on a screen of the device according to the invention or the system according to the invention.

[0113] Fig. 7 shows an example of an input mask through which a user can log in with his name (username) and a password (password).

[0114] After the user has logged in, he or she may be asked to specify a field on which a crop is or will be grown. Fig. 8 shows a display of the computer program product according to the invention, indicating that no field has been specified yet ("No Fields Created Yet"). By clicking the virtual button with the ⊕ sign, a user can start a process for specifying a new field. The process is illustrated in Fig. 9 bis Fig. 13 shown.

[0115] Fig. 9 shows an initial display of the process for specifying a new field. The name of a location (e.g., country, city, and / or street) can be entered into an input field ("Search for a place"). A section of the Earth's surface is shown in the background, either as an aerial photograph or in the form of a map. When the name of a location is entered, a section of the Earth's surface is shown that includes the location. Using finger movements familiar from using smartphones, the user can move the section, enlarge it (zoom out), or reduce it (zoom in).

[0116] Furthermore, a virtual button ("Drop Point") can be used to specify a point that lies within the field or at the edge of the field. When the virtual button is clicked, such a point is placed in the center of the crosshairs. This is Fig. 10 shown. Fig. 10 shows the same display as Fig. 9 with the difference that now a first point of the field is specified.

[0117] Starting from the specified point, a user can now set (define) further points in the field. The points are connected by straight lines. This is shown in Fig. 11 und Fig. 12 shown.

[0118] The computer program is configured to automatically calculate the size for a specified field. Fig. 13 shows the specified field and its calculated size ("0.453 hectares"). The user can assign a name for the field ("Field Name"); in this case, it is "Field D".

[0119] Fig. 14 shows another display of the computer program according to the invention. It shows that four fields named "Field A," "Field B," "Field C," and "Field D" have been created. The user can select the fields for which they want to generate a prediction of a pesticide residue amount. The virtual button with the ⊕ symbol indicates that additional fields can be specified (created in the computer program).

[0120] Fig. 15 shows another display of the computer program according to the invention. The computer program indicates to the user that no information on the cultivation of a crop and the application of a plant protection product has yet been specified ("You Don't Have Any Crop Plans"). By pressing a virtual button ("Create Crop Plan"), the user can start a process for specifying the corresponding information. The process is illustrated in Fig. 16 shown.

[0121] Fig. 16 shows a display for creating a cultivation plan for a crop ("Crop Plan Details"). The display includes a series of input fields. In one input field, the user can give the respective cultivation plan a name ("Crop Plan Name"). In this case, the user has entered "Plan A" as the name. In another input field, the user can specify the crop ("Crop"). In this case, this is done by selecting an entry from a list. In this case, the user has selected strawberry ("Strawberry") as the crop. In another input field, the user can specify the crop variety ("Variety"). In this case, the user has selected "Fortuna" as the crop variety. In another input field, the user can specify the start of the cultivation period ("Season Start Date"). This can be done by entering a date and / or selecting a day in a virtual calendar.In this case, the user specified August 17, 2019, as the start of the growing season. In another input field, the user can specify the end of the growing season ("Season End Date"). This can be done by entering a date and / or selecting a day in a virtual calendar. In this case, the user specified March 30, 2020, as the end of the growing season.

[0122] Fig. 17 shows a further display of the computer program according to the invention. Fig. 17 displays a cultivation plan named Plan A in an overview. The cultivation plan concerns the strawberry crop ("Strawberry") of the Fortuna variety. A field named "Field D" is specified where the crop is / should be grown. Before the computer program can calculate (predict) a residue amount of a pesticide, one or more markets ("Markets") and an application program for at least one pesticide ("Spray Plan") must be specified. By clicking the corresponding virtual button, the user can start a process for specifying a market ("Select Market") or a process for specifying an application program for at least one pesticide ("Create Spray Plan").

[0123] The process of specifying a market is illustrated in Fig. 18 The process for specifying an application program for at least one crop protection product is illustrated in Fig. 19 shown.

[0124] The term "market" represents a combination of a retailer (or retail chain) and a country. Fig. 18 shows an overview of markets sorted by country ("Market by Country"). In this case, retail chains for three countries are listed: for Germany ("Germany"), the retail chains ALDI, Schwarz-Lidl, and Rossmann; for Poland ("Poland"), the retail chains Lidl and Fresh Market; and for Spain ("Spain"), the retail chains Mercadona, Lidl, and ALDI. The user can select one or more retail chains by clicking. In this case, the user has selected the following combinations: Germany: ALDI; Germany: Schwarz-Lidl; Poland: Fresh Market; Spain: Mercadona. The user can create additional markets by clicking the virtual button ("Create Custom Market").

[0125] Fig. 19 shows a display with a series of input fields for specifying an application program for at least one crop protection product. The crop protection product can be specified by entering a product name ("Product Name") in a first input field. In this case, the product name "Luna" was entered. In another input field, the user can enter and / or select the date of application with the crop protection product. In this case, the user specified November 17, 2019, as the date. In another input field, the user can enter the application method ("Application Method"). In this case, the user entered "Foliar Applied" as the application method. In two further input fields, the user can enter the amount of crop protection product applied or to be applied ("Product Rate", "UOM" (= Unit of Measure)). In this case, the user entered a quantity of 0.75 L / ha.In another input field, the user can enter the amount of water applied ("Water rates (L / ha)"). In this case, the user entered a rate of 15 L / ha. In another input field, the user can enter the development stage of the crop (at the time of application of the plant protection product) in the form of the BBCH code ("Growth Stage (BBCH)"). In this case, the user entered the BBCH code 1 ("Stage 1").

[0126] Fig. 20 shows a display with the results of a prediction. The results are predicted for the strawberry crop of the "Fortuna" variety. The results are based on an application program ("Plan A", "Spray Plan") in which 0.5 L / ha of a plant protection product with the designation ("Prod. A") was applied together with 20 L / ha of water at two points in time (May 10, 2019, and July 10, 2019). As of May 10, 2019, the crop was / is in the development stage with the BBCH code 2 ("Stage 2"); as of July 10, 2019, the crop was / is in the development stage with the BBCH code 3 ("Stage 3").

[0127] The plant protection product, labeled "Prod. A," contains two active ingredients (fluopyram and trifloxystrobin). The forecast date is November 12, 2019 ("Residue Forecast on November 12, 2019"). The calculated (predicted) residue level for fluopyram is 0.82 mg / kg. The calculated (predicted) residue level for trifloxystrobin is 0.82 mg / kg. Both residue levels are above the MRL (0.67 mg / kg for fluopyram, 0.5 mg / kg for trifloxystrobin).

[0128] Fig. 21 shows a comparison between measured residue quantities (y-axis (ordinate) "Measured Residues Level [mg / kg] ") and the residue quantities calculated (predicted) according to the invention (X-axis (abscissa) "Predicted Residue Level [mg / kg] ) for three pesticides (fluopyram, spinosad (A+D), and trifloxystrobin). Each measurement point in the graph represents a measured and a calculated residue amount. The measurements and calculations were determined for strawberries grown under different conditions. The prediction was made using a nonlinear regression model with the following input variables: plant protection product used, number of applications of the plant protection product and applied quantities, time period between the last application and the time of harvest, average air temperature on the respective days of the applications, average air humidity on the respective days of the applications, accumulated radiant energy (solar radiation or artificial lighting) on ​​the respective days of the applications, average diameter and average height of the crop plants (strawberries) on the respective days of application.

[0129] One recognizes in Fig. 21 a clear correlation between predicted and measured residue levels. Maximum residue levels for the plant protection products are indicated as horizontal lines in the graph. The maximum levels for fluopyran and trifloxystrobin are not exceeded in the graph shown; the maximum level for spinosad (A+D) is exceeded in some cases.

Claims

1. Computer-implemented method comprising the steps of: - receiving and / or determining input information, the input information comprising: • information on a crop being grown, • information on the cultivation of the crop, • information on a plant protection product that has been used in the cultivation of the crop and / or whose use is planned, • information on the application of the plant protection product, - calculating an amount of a residue of the plant protection product in and / or on the parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption at the time of harvest, - outputting information on the amount of the residue.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crop is selected from the following list: strawberry, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, radish, radish, kohlrabi, carrot, celery, fennel, patinake, pea, bean, asparagus, spinach, chard, artichoke, salsify, lettuce, iceberg lettuce, lettuce, endive, chicory, eggplant, pumpkin, melon, zucchini, lamb's lettuce, sugar beet, rhubarb, white cabbage, red cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, raspberry, blackberry, elderberry, cherry, apple, pear, grape, plum.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information on the cultivation of the crop indicates where and / or under what conditions the crop is cultivated.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information on the cultivation of the crop indicates whether the crop is grown outdoors, in a polytunnel or in a greenhouse.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information for growing the crop specifies the geographical position of a field on which the crop is grown.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plant protection agent is a herbicide, fungicide or pesticide.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information on the application of the plant protection product comprises the type of treatment, the application rate and at least one time or at least one period of time at which / in which the plant protection product is / should be applied in the specified amount.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the calculation of the amount of residue of the plant protection product is carried out using a regression model based on empirical data, the regression model describing a relationship between the input information and the amount of residue.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the regression model is created using machine learning.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the regression model is trained on the basis of training data, wherein the amounts of pesticide residues resulting at the time of harvest are empirically determined for a plurality of crops, cultivation conditions, pesticides and application conditions.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the input information for the regression model comprises: crop, growing conditions or a variable correlated with the growing conditions, crop protection product, application rate of the crop protection product and time period between application of the crop protection product and harvest time.

12. Method according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the calculation of the residue amount is carried out on the basis of the following information: cultivated crop, country or region in which the crop is cultivated or amount of biomass and / or fruit mass present in the cultivated crop at the time of application of the plant protection product or a quantity correlated with the fruit mass or biomass, plant protection product to be used or used, application rate of the plant protection product to be used or used and length of time between the time of application and the time of harvest.

13. Method according to one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the regression model is trained on the basis of the following training data: cultivated crop, country or region in which the crop is cultivated or amount of biomass and / or fruit mass present in the cultivated crop at the time of application of the crop protection product or a quantity correlating with the fruit mass or biomass, crop protection product to be used or used, application rate of the crop protection product to be used or used and length of time between the time of application and the time of harvest.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the input information further comprises: solar radiation, humidity and / or temperature.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the model is a non-linear regression model and the residue amount is calculated on the basis of the following input information: - cultivated crop - crop protection product used - number of applications with the crop protection product and applied amounts - time period between the last application and the time of harvest - average air and / or soil temperature on the respective days of the applications - average air humidity on the respective days of the applications - accumulated radiation energy on the respective days of the applications - average diameter and / or average height of the cultivated crops on the respective application days.