Prediction of crop protection product residual amount in harvested product

Abstract

To predict a residual amount of a crop protection product in the entire part or a part of plant intended to be consumed by human being and / or animals.SOLUTION: In a device 10 having an input unit 11, a control calculation unit 12, and an output unit 13, the control calculation unit receives and / or confirms information related to a cultivated crop, information related to cultivation of the crop, information related to a crop protection product used and / or scheduled to be used in the cultivation of the crop, and information related to dispersion of the crop protection product, calculates a residual amount of the crop protection product in the entire or a part of the crops intended to be consumed by human being and / or animals by using input information, at the time of harvesting of the crops, and activates the output unit to output information related to the residual amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to predicting residues of crop protection products in plants or parts thereof, preferably in fruits and / or vegetables, intended for human and / or animal consumption. The present invention provides methods, devices, systems and computer program products for predicting residues of crop protection products.

[0002] Residues of a crop protection product are those amounts of active ingredient that have served for crop protection, i.e. have been used during the production of the plant, and that are detectable in the final product.

[0003] The use of crop protection products is legally regulated in many countries and aims to eliminate any risks to animal and human health posed by crop protection products. Specific application regulations (waiting times, i.e. time intervals between the last application and harvest, application rates, application limits) take into account physical properties and therefore influence the occurrence and extent of residues.

[0004] Section 9(1) of the German Food, Commodity and Feed Code (Food and Feed Code - LFGB) prohibits the commercial trade of food products if they contain crop protection products above certain upper limit values ​​established for individual substances.

[0005] Maximum residue limits for crop protection products in conventional food and animal feed have been harmonised in all European Member States since 1 September 2008 with the entry into force of Directive (EC) No. 396 / 2005. However, there are no universally harmonised limit values.

[0006] Some store chains (traders) require producers to produce plant-based foods with residues of plant protection products below (well below) legal limits. The requirements from different store chains can vary slightly.

[0007] Residual amounts of crop protection products can be quantified, for example, by laboratory measurement. There are numerous service providers that determine residual amounts of crop protection products when ordering food and animal feed.

[0008] It is advantageous for producers of plant-based foods and animal feeds to have information, even while the plants are growing, about what residues of a given crop protection product can be expected in the harvested product if the producer uses a given crop protection product according to a given application program. The producer can then control to some extent the amount of residues of the crop protection product in the harvested product by modifying the crop protection product and / or the application program. Moreover, it is advantageous for such producers to know what residue values ​​are acceptable for which store chains that buy the producer's products and sell them to end customers.

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

[0010] The present invention is first a device, an input unit; a control calculation unit, an output unit; Including, The control calculation unit is configured to receive and / or verify the following input information by activating the input unit: - Information related to the crop being grown; -Information related to crop cultivation; - information relating to the crop protection products used and / or intended to be used in the cultivation of the crop; -Information related to the application of crop protection products; configured to receive and / or verify the control and calculation unit is configured to use the input information to calculate, preferably at the time of harvesting the crop, residues of the crop protection product in and / or on parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption; the control and calculation unit is configured to output information related to the residual amount by activating the output unit; Provide the device.

[0011] The present invention further provides a method, comprising the steps of: - Using a computer system to process input information, i.e. - Information related to the crop being grown; Information related to crop cultivation and - information relating to the crop protection products used and / or intended to be used in the cultivation of the crop; Information related to the application of crop protection products; receiving and / or verifying input information including: - calculating, using a computer system, preferably at harvest time, the amount of residues of the crop protection product in and / or on the part of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption; - outputting information related to the residual amount via an output unit of the computer system; The present invention provides a method comprising:

[0012] The present invention further provides a system comprising: a first computer system including an input unit, a first control and calculation unit, a first transceiver unit, and an output unit; a second computer system including a second control and calculation unit and a second transceiver unit; Including, The first control calculation unit activates the input unit to receive and / or verify the following input information, namely: - Information related to the crop being grown; Information related to crop cultivation and information relating to the crop protection products used and / or intended to be used in the cultivation of the crop; Information related to the application of crop protection products; configured to receive and / or acknowledge The first control computing unit is configured to transmit the input information to the second computer system via the network by activating the first transceiver unit; The second control calculation unit is configured to receive input information via the network by triggering the second transceiver unit; the second control and calculation unit is configured to calculate, based on the input information, preferably at harvest time, the amount of residues of the crop protection product in and / or on the part of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, The second control calculation unit is configured to transmit the residual amount to the first computer system via the network by activating the second transceiver unit; The first control calculation unit is configured to receive the residual amount via the network by activating the first transceiver unit; The first control calculation unit is configured to output the residual amount to a user by activating an output unit. Provide a system.

[0013] The invention further provides a computer program product comprising a data carrier and program code stored on the data carrier, the program code being capable of being transmitted to a computer system having the program code loaded into its memory, the computer program product comprising: receiving and / or verifying the following input information: - Information related to the crop being grown; Information related to crop cultivation and - information relating to the crop protection products used and / or intended to be used in the cultivation of the crop; Information related to the application of crop protection products; receiving and / or verifying the - using the input information to calculate, preferably at harvest, the amount of residues of the crop protection product in and / or on the part of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption; - outputting information related to the residual amount; The present invention provides a computer program product for causing the

[0014] In the following, the present invention will be described more specifically without distinguishing between the subject matter of the present invention (method, device, system, computer program product). Rather, the following description is intended to apply equally to all subject matter of the present invention, regardless of the context (method, device, system, computer program product) in which it occurs.

[0015] If steps are described in a sequence in the present specification or claims, this is not necessarily meant to limit the invention to the order described. Rather, it is contemplated that steps may be performed in a different order, or in parallel with each other in other cases, unless one step is built upon another, i.e., the steps built upon one another are necessarily performed after the other (although this will become apparent in each individual case). Thus, the described order is a preferred embodiment.

[0016] The present invention may be implemented using one or more computer systems.

[0017] A "computer system" is a system for electronic data processing that processes data according to programmable algorithms. Such a system typically includes a "computer", a unit that contains a processor for performing logical operations, and also includes peripheral devices.

[0018] In computer technology, the term "peripheral" refers to any device that is connected to a computer and used to control the computer and / or used as an input / output device. Examples are monitors (displays), printers, scanners, mice, keyboards, drives, cameras, microphones, speakers, etc. Internal ports and expansion cards are also peripherals in computer technology.

[0019] Modern computer systems are often categorized into desktop PCs, portable PCs, laptops, notebooks, netbooks, tablet PCs, and what are referred to as handhelds (e.g., smartphones), all of which may be utilized in practicing the present invention.

[0020] Input to a computer is realized via input means such as, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a network connection, an external data memory, and / or the like. "Input" is also understood to mean the selection of an entry from a virtual menu or list, or the clicking of a checkbox and the like. Output is usually realized via a screen (monitor), on a printer, via a loudspeaker, and / or by storage in a data memory.

[0021] A device according to the invention may be implemented in the form of such a computer system. In addition, a system according to the invention may include two or more computer systems of this kind.

[0022] The present invention functions to predict the amount of crop protection product residues in and / or on those portions of a crop intended for human and animal consumption, preferably at harvest time.

[0023] The prediction is made with respect to a particular crop. The term "crop" is understood to mean a plant that is specifically cultivated as a useful plant by human intervention. The part of the cultivated crop that is 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 crop protection product and the cultivation conditions. These information are also referred to herein as "input information". The term "input information" should not be understood here as meaning that all of this information is entered by a user into the computer system according to the invention. Rather, parts of the input information may also be verified (based on the entered information) by the computer system according to the invention (as will be explained in more detail below). In this respect, the essence of the term "input" goes beyond the input information being included as an input in the calculation of the residual amount of the crop protection product.

[0025] Also, the term "specify" is used herein. In accordance with aspects in which an item is "specified," the term "specify" can have the connotations of "entering," "identifying," "selecting," "pre-selecting," "calculating," and / or "deriving."

[0026] In a first step, the crop is specified, which is preferably achieved by the user entering into the computer system the name of the crop or the name of the crop variety or the crop / crop variety code (e.g. a code according to the International Code of Nomenclature of Cultivated Plants, ICNCP for short), or by selecting the corresponding information related to the crop from a list or menu, or by selecting the crop from a pictorial representation (e.g. a photograph or graphic) of the crop.

[0027] It is also conceivable that a machine-readable code is provided on the crop, on the container in which the crop resides, on the bed in which the crop is grown, on the catalog in which the crop is displayed, on the packaging for the crop, or on the packaging for the seeds for growing the crop, providing information related to the crop. In such a case, the crop specification may comprise reading the machine-readable code with a suitable reading device and transmitting the information related to the crop read by the reading device to the computer system according to the invention. Such a machine-readable code may be, for example, an optoelectronic readable code (e.g. a bar code, a two-dimensional code (e.g. a Data Matrix 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 for only one crop, i.e. may calculate / predict residues of crop protection products only for one crop or crop variety, in which case the "specify crop" step comprises the user selecting the corresponding computer program product, whereby the computer program calculates residues of one or more crop protection products in the intended crop.

[0029] The crop is preferably selected from the following list: strawberry, tomato, cucumber, pepper, radish, kohlrabi, carrot, celery, fennel, parsnip, peas, beans, asparagus, spinach, Swiss chard, artichoke, black salsify, butterhead lettuce, crisphead lettuce, leaf 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, grapes, plum.

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

[0031] The cultivation parameters may specify where and / or under what conditions the crop is grown, for example whether the crop is grown outdoors, in a film tunnel (as is common practice for strawberries, for example), in a greenhouse, or the like. Due to the substantial absence of weather influences (e.g. rain), residues in plants grown in a greenhouse may be higher compared to the outdoor case.

[0032] It can be specified whether artificial irrigation is occurring and, if appropriate, the amount of irrigation may be specified.

[0033] In particular where greenhouses are concerned, the user may preferably specify the conditions present within the greenhouse, such as, for example, temperature (air, soil), humidity (air, soil), carbon dioxide content in the air, e.g., in the form of day / night time course, maximum, minimum, average (e.g., arithmetic mean (average)), variance, accumulated temperature, accumulated radiation, and / or the like.

[0034] The above conditions (temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide content, radiation) can of course also be specified for crops grown outdoors or in a film tunnel. The weather conditions during the vegetation period of the crop are preferably recorded. Here, values ​​for the following can be detected: air temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed, type of precipitation, amount of precipitation, amount of solar radiation, and the like. Here, for example, daily maximum and daily average values ​​(e.g. arithmetic mean) can be detected. The weather conditions can, on the one hand, affect the decomposition characteristics of the active ingredient and, on the other hand, determine the growth characteristics of the crop.

[0035] The geographical location of the field in which the crop is grown is preferably specified, which can be used to retrieve, for example from a database, values ​​for the above conditions that existed during the growing period (current values) or typically exist (historical average values).

[0036] The term "field" is understood to mean a spatially demarcable area of ​​the earth's surface under agricultural cultivation, such a field being planted with crops that are supplied with nutrients and harvested.

[0037] The specification of the geographical location of the field may include, for example, specifying the country in which the field is located. It is also conceivable that the region in which the field is located is specified. Such a region may, for example, be a region with a certain climate different from the climate of an adjacent region. The region may be a cultivation area for a particular crop (for a definition of cultivation area, see, for example, Journal fuer Kulturpflanzen, 61 (7), p. 247-253, 2009, ISSN 0027-7479). The region may be a biome (for a definition of the equivalent German term Boden-Klima-Raum, see, for example, Nachrichtenbl. Deut. Pflanzenschutzd., 59(7), p.155-161, 2007, ISSN 0027-7479).

[0038] The specification of the geographical location of the field may also include providing geographic coordinates for at least one point located inside the field or located on the edge of the field. Many fields have a polygonal shape. In the case of such fields, the specification may include providing the geographical coordinates of the vertices of the polygon. With regard to the specification of the geographical location of the field, it is conceivable that the user draws the boundary of the field by means of a finger or an input device (e.g. a mouse) on a virtual map on the display of the computer system according to the invention.

[0039] It is conceivable that information related to the cultivation of one or more crops (e.g. typical growing conditions) is already recorded on the data medium. It is conceivable that the device according to the invention or the system according to the invention, after the crop specification, reads out the customary growing conditions of the crop from the data medium and uses the read out values ​​as a basis for further calculation of the residual amount. It is also conceivable that the growing conditions are set by specifying a location, and for a given country or region customary growing conditions can be stored on the data medium and can be the basis for further calculations. It is also conceivable that the computer program product according to the invention is intended only for a single crop, which is grown under the given growing conditions. In such a case, the step of "specifying the growing conditions" comprises the user selecting the corresponding computer program product.

[0040] In a next step, at least one crop protection product is designated for use or application during the growth of the designated crop.

[0041] The term "crop protection product" is understood to mean a product that functions to protect plants or plant products from pests, to prevent the effects of pests, to destroy unwanted plants or parts thereof, to suppress unwanted growth of plants, to prevent such growth, and / or to affect in some other way the life processes of plants as nutrients (e.g. growth regulators). Growth regulators function, for example, to increase the stability of grains by shortening the culm length (culm shorteners, or better internode shorteners), to improve the root development of seedlings, to reduce the height of plants by stunting in horticulture, or to prevent germination in potatoes. Growth regulators are typically plant hormones or their synthetic analogues. Further examples of crop protection products are herbicides, fungicides, and other pesticides (e.g. insecticides, nematicides, molluscicides, and the like).

[0042] Crop protection products typically contain one or more active ingredients. An "active ingredient" refers to a substance that has a specific effect and induces a specific reaction in an organism. The active ingredient may be a synthetically prepared (chemical) active ingredient or an organism-derived (biological) active ingredient. Combinations are also contemplated. Crop protection products typically contain a carrier for diluting the active ingredient or ingredients. In addition, additives such as preservatives, buffers, dyes, and the like are also contemplated. Crop protection products may be in solid, liquid, or gaseous form.

[0043] "Pests" are understood to mean organisms that may appear during the development of a crop and that damage the crop, adversely affect the crop yield, or compete with the crop for natural resources. Examples of such pests are broadleaf weeds, weeds, animal pests such as beetles, caterpillars, and earthworms, fungi, and pathogens (e.g. bacteria and viruses). Viruses are not living organisms from a biological point of view, but are nevertheless covered by the term "pests" in this specification.

[0044] The term "broadleaf weeds" (plural: broadleaf weeds) is understood to mean vegetation naturally associated with crops, grasslands or gardens, which is not specifically cultivated there, but which develops for example from latent seeds in the soil or is carried by the wind. The term is not limited to broadleaf plants in the actual sense, but also includes grasses, ferns, mosses or woody plants. In the field of crop protection, the term "weeds" (plural: weeds) is also frequently used to indicate a distinction from broadleaf plants. In this specification, unless reference is made to a specific broadleaf weed or weeds, the term "broadleaf weeds" is used as a generic term including weeds.

[0045] The term "control" is understood to mean the prevention of the infestation of a field / crop or part thereof by one or more pests and / or the prevention of the spread of one or more pests and / or the reduction of the amount of pests present.

[0046] The crop protection product specifications are important for two reasons: firstly, the crop specifications also specify the substances whose residues are predicted according to the invention. The substances whose residues are predicted are typically the active ingredient of the crop protection product and / or the degradation products of the active ingredient that (also) have a biological effect on organisms. Secondly, the degradation characteristics (and therefore also the residues) are determined to a crucial extent by the chemical structure of the active ingredient and, if appropriate, its formulation in the crop protection product. For many active ingredients there are available models of degradation properties (e.g. 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 and https: / / www.epa.gov / pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks / guidance-calculate-representative-half-life-values). In many cases, there is exponential degradation, meaning that the amount of active ingredient deployed decreases exponentially over time. In addition, the physicochemical properties of the active ingredient determine the extent to which it is transported through the plant pathway into the edible ingredient.

[0047] Crop protection products can be designated, for example, based on the product name of the crop protection product or based on another name or chemical formula for the active ingredient present in the crop protection product.

[0048] It is also contemplated that crop protection products may be selected from a list using names and / or pictorial representations (eg, photos of the products).

[0049] It is also conceivable that the packaging of the crop protection product includes a machine-readable code that provides information related to the crop protection product and that can be read by a suitable reading device. The machine-readable code may be an optoelectronic readable code and / or a code stored electronically in a semiconductor memory (e.g., an RFID tag), as already mentioned above.

[0050] It is contemplated that multiple crop protection products may be specified that are / are applied at the same time or at different times.

[0051] It is also conceivable that the computer program product according to the invention is intended for only one crop protection product, i.e. may only calculate / predict for residues of a specific crop protection product, in such a case the step "specify crop protection product" comprises the user selecting the corresponding computer program product in order to calculate the residues of that crop protection product in the crop for which the computer program is intended.

[0052] Preferably, the device and the system according to the invention are configured to perform a pre-selection for at least one crop protection product based on information related to the crop being grown and / or based on information related to the geographical location of the field and / or based on the growing conditions. The term "pre-selection" in relation to the crop protection product means that the device / system selects and displays to the user from a list of crop protection products those crop protection products typically used for the specified crop and / or those crop protection products typically used in controlling pests that may occur for the specified crop and / or those crop protection products that are effective against pests that may appear in the specified geographical location of the field or under the conditions present in the greenhouse. The user can then select one (or several) of the pre-selected crop protection products for which the residue calculation should be performed. It is also conceivable that the pre-selection finds a single suitable crop protection product, which can be displayed to the user.

[0053] Depending on the geographic location specified for the field, the preselected list of crop protection products may differ. The device according to the invention and the system according to the invention are preferably configured to preselect and display only those crop protection products that are officially approved for deployment in the country in which the corresponding field is located. Corresponding information related to the official approval may be stored in one or more databases.

[0054] In a further step, the application of the crop protection product is preferably specified (in detail) using application parameters, which include the type of treatment, the rate of application, and at least one time point or at least one period during which the crop protection product is applied (scheduled to be applied) in a specified amount. The earlier the treatment is performed in the vegetation period of the crop, the lower the residual amount will typically be.

[0055] It is conceivable here that the crop protection product may be applied repeatedly (at different times or for different periods) over the vegetation period. In the case of multiple applications, the number of applications and the time interval between applications can be specified. In the case of multiple applications, the application rates may be the same or different. Also, the nature of the treatment and / or the crop protection product used may differ in each case. A factor of major importance is the time between the last application of the crop protection product and the harvest; generally, residues of the crop protection product degrade over time, i.e. the longer the time from the application time, the lower the residues.

[0056] The type of treatment can be specified, for example, whether the treatment is of seeds or of plants at a certain development stage. Direct treatment of harvested material usually results in a higher amount of residue compared to treatment of seeds before sowing, for example. In addition, it can be specified which part of the plant is treated (e.g., leaves, fruits, and / or roots) or whether soil treatment is performed.

[0057] "Application rate" is the amount of crop protection product required to control the pest, typically reported per unit area (when deployed in a field), per unit space (e.g., in a greenhouse), or per unit amount of seed (e.g., in the case of seed dressing). The amount can be reported in weight (e.g., kg) or volume (e.g., liters). The amount can be based on the total amount of crop protection product or on the active ingredient present in the crop protection product. Also, the more active ingredient deployed in an area, the more likely it is to remain in / on the harvested material.

[0058] If water is used to dilute the crop protection product, the amount of water used can also be specified.

[0059] The application parameters can be entered by a user into the device according to the invention or into the system according to the invention, and in addition, the application parameters can be fully or partially ascertained by the device according to the invention or the system according to the invention using information already entered regarding the crop, regarding the geographical location of the field, regarding the growing conditions and / or regarding the crop protection product.

[0060] For example, for a crop protection product, information may be provided by the manufacturer or distributor of the crop protection product as to when and in what amount the crop protection product should be applied. This information may be stored in an internal or external data medium that the device / system according to the invention can access. The device / system may thus be configured to generate a recommendation based on the available information as to when and in what amount the crop protection product should be applied.

[0061] The time / duration at which the crop protection product is sprayed may, for example, also be guided by the development stage of the crop. The development stage of the plant may, for example, be specified in the form of what is called a BBCH code. Officially, the abbreviation BBCH stands for Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and CHemische Industrie [German Federal Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Biology, German Federal Plant Variety Office and Chemical Industry]. The extended BBCH scale for uniformly coding the phenological stages of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plant development was jointly developed by the German Federal Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Biology (BBA), the German Federal Plant Variety Office (BSA), the Agro-Industrie (IVA) [Association of the Pesticide Industry] and the Institute for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops in Grossbeeren, Erfurt. It is conceivable that the user enters into the device / system the (extended) BBCH code for the crop he is growing. In addition, it is conceivable that the device / system is configured to calculate the BBCH code itself. For example, a user could input the planting / sowing time of a crop into the device / system and the device / system would use the planting / sowing time to calculate the BBCH code.

[0062] It is conceivable that the device / system according to the invention is configured to calculate the growth stage of the crop using a plant growth model. Such a plant growth model may for example be a mathematical model describing the plant growth depending on intrinsic (genetic) and extrinsic (environmental) factors. An overview on the creation of plant growth models is given for example in the following books: i) "Mathematische Modellbildung und Simulation" [Mathematical Model Formulation and Simulation] by Marco Guenther 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 in Academic Press (Elsevier), USA.

[0063] Plant growth models exist for many crops. They typically simulate the growth of a crop over a defined period of time. It is also conceivable to use models based on a single plant that simulate the energy and material flows in the individual organs of the plant. Mixed models can additionally be used.

[0064] Crop growth is determined not only by the genetic characteristics of the plant, but also primarily by the local weather conditions present over the plant's life span (amount and spectral distribution of incoming solar radiation, temperature profile, precipitation, wind input), soil conditions, and nutrient supply.

[0065] Cultural practices already implemented (in the past) and any pest infestations that have occurred can also affect crop growth and can be taken into account in the growth model.

[0066] Plant growth models are generally referred to as dynamic process-based models (see "Working with Dynamic Crop Models" by Daniel Wallach, David Makowski, James W. Jones and Francois Brun, published in 2014 in Academic Press (Elsevier), USA), but can also be rule-based, or statistical, or data-assisted / empirical, in whole or in part. The models are generally referred to as point models. The models here are generally calibrated so that the output reflects a three-dimensional representation of the input. If the input is ascertained at a point in space, or if the input is interpolated or estimated with respect to a point in space, then the output of the model is generally assumed to be applicable to the entire adjacent field. It is known to scatter so-called point models calibrated to the field level to more general larger scales (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). The scattering of these so-called point models to points in the field allows for partially regionalized modelling here. However, here spatial dependencies, e.g. groundwater balance, are ignored. However, systems with explicit modelling in space / time also exist. These take spatial dependencies into account.

[0067] Examples of dynamic, process-based plant growth models are Apsim, Lintul, Epic, Hermes, Monica, STICS, among others. Model comparisons and corresponding literature related to the models can be found, for example, in the following publications: 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 and in the references cited within this publication.

[0068] Modelling of plant growth involves the following parameters, namely: (a) Weather: in particular, daily precipitation totals, radiation totals, daily minimum and maximum temperatures, near-ground temperatures, soil temperatures, and wind speeds; (b) Soil: inter alia, soil type, soil texture, soil properties, field capacity, permanent wet point, organic carbon, inorganic nitrogen content, host density, van Genuchten parameters; (c) Crops: in particular species, varieties, species-specific parameters, such as specific leaf area index, total temperature value, maximum root depth, (d) Cultivation practices: inter alia, seed, sowing date, sowing density, sowing depth, fertilizer, amount of fertilizer, number of days of fertilization, date of fertilization, soil amendment, harvest residue, crop rotation, distance from the field of the same crop of the previous year, irrigation, and may include:

[0069] The plant growth model can also be used to calculate the amount of biomass present at any 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. It is believed that plants with a high amount of biomass and / or a high leaf area require a higher amount of crop protection product compared to plants with a low amount of biomass and / or a low leaf area. It is believed that the amount of biomass present at the time of application of the crop protection product, especially in the form of fruit, influences the amount of residue. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the amount of biomass present at any given time (especially at the time of application of the crop protection product) for the cultivated crop is included in the calculation of the amount of residue.

[0070] Remote sensing data can also be used to ascertain and / or predict the amount of biomass present and / or to optimize plant growth models. "Remote sensing data" is digital information obtained remotely from the Earth's surface, for example by satellites. It is also conceivable to use aircraft (unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) or manned aircraft) to record remote sensing data. Remote sensors can generate digital images of areas of the Earth's surface and obtain information about the vegetation present therein and / or the environmental conditions present therein (see, for example, MS Moran et al.: Opportunities and Limitations for Image-Based Remote Sensing in Precision Crop Management, Remote Sensing of Environment (1997) 61: 319-346). Data from these sensors is provided through interfaces made available by the provider and may include optical and electromagnetic (e.g., synthetic aperture radar SAR) data sets at various stages of processing.

[0071] Sensors can also be used in the field to determine the growth stage of the crop and / or the available biomass. The sensors can be in stationary positions in the field, but it is also conceivable to equip agricultural machinery and / or robots moving in the field with suitable sensors.

[0072] The time / period at which the crop protection product is sprayed may be guided by the stage of the pest's emergence and / or spread, for which predictive models are also available (see, for example, WO 2017 / 222722 A1, WO 2018 / 058821 A1, US 20020016676 A1, US 20180018414 A1, WO 2018 / 099220 A1). Using such models, it is possible to predict the time when the risk of the pest's infestation into the crop is high. The control of the pest by the crop protection product is preferably carried out when the (calculated) risk of infestation is particularly high (e.g. above a predefined threshold). Models for predicting pest infestation also typically use meteorological and historical data.

[0073] The device according to the invention and the system according to the invention are configured to calculate, preferably at the time of harvesting, the amount of at least one residual amount of the crop protection product in and / or on the crop or part thereof based on the available information (input information, information derived from the input information and / or information read from one or more data media using the input information). If the amount of residue is still significantly reduced after harvesting (e.g. during storage, as a result of washing and / or the like), the amount of residue can (or can be) calculated for a time point other than the time of harvesting and / or for a state after a particular treatment (e.g. washing, exposure to electromagnetic radiation, heat or cold treatment and / or the like).

[0074] The at least one residual amount can be calculated, for example, based on empirically determined data relating to the distribution of the crop protection product within the part of the crop and relating to the degradation of the crop protection product.

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

[0076] The regression model can be created by machine learning. Preference is given to creating such a model by supervised learning. This involves training the regression model to make a prediction regarding at least one output data based on input data. The model can be trained and validated using empirical data. This means that empirical determinations are made regarding the amount of crop protection product residues that occur, for example, at harvest, for a large number of crops, growing conditions, crop protection products, and application conditions. These empirically obtained data can then be used to create the corresponding regression model.

[0077] In the study of such empirical data, it was found that for many crops and crop protection products, the amount of residue of the crop protection product can be predicted using a small number of inputs. This requires at least the following information (e.g., as inputs for a regression model): the crop, the growth conditions or a parameter that correlates with the growth conditions, the crop protection product, the application rate of the crop protection product, and the time period from application of the crop protection product to the time of harvest. One example of a parameter that correlates with the growth conditions is the amount of biomass present at the time of application, which can be empirically confirmed by a sensor and / or calculated by calculation using a plant growth model, as described above, and / or specified by a user (e.g., after inspection). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the residue amount is predicted based on the following information (which is also used to train the corresponding regression model): the crop being grown and / or the area in which the crop is grown or the amount of biomass and / or fruit mass (or correlated parameters, e.g. plant or fruit diameter) present in the grown crop at the time of application of the crop protection product, the crop protection product used or to be used, the application rate of the crop protection product used or to be used, and the length of the period from application to harvest. It is particularly advantageous if, in addition to the above input information, one or more of the following further input information related to the weather conditions during growth are included in the calculation: the amount of solar radiation (e.g. in the form of sunshine hours), humidity, and / or temperature.

[0078] Details on creating regression models are described in the prior 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 and Pratap Dangeti, Statistics for Machine Learning, Packt Publishing 2017, ISBN 978-1-78829-575-8).

[0079] The regression model is preferably a nonlinear regression model (see, for example, 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, and Hossein Riazoshams et al.: Robust Nonlinear Regression: with Applications using R, John Wiley & Sons, 2018, ISBN 9781118738061).

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the residual amount is based on the following input information: - The crops cultivated, - the crop protection products used, and - frequency and amount of application of crop protection products; - the time between the last application and the time of harvest; - the average air and / or soil temperature on each application date; - the average air humidity on each day of application; - The cumulative irradiance (solar or artificial light) on each spraying date; - the average diameter and / or average height of the cultivated crop on each spraying date; is calculated using a nonlinear regression model based on

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

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the determined residue amount is compared to a maximum amount or to a number of maximum amounts, at least one of which is, for example, a legally approved upper limit for the residue amount of the respective crop protection product in the crop.

[0083] The at least one maximum amount may also be a trader-required upper limit for the amount of residues of the respective crop protection product in the crop. A "trader" in the context of the present invention is a natural or legal person who buys crops or parts of crops from producers and sells them (e.g. to end customers (consumers)).

[0084] The at least one maximum amount may also be a user-defined amount.

[0085] At least one maximum amount may be stored in one or more data media accessible by the device according to the invention and the system according to the invention.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment, the extent to which the confirmed residual amount is above or below one or more maximum amounts is displayed to the user. It is contemplated that the user may specify a country or region and the user will be displayed whether and / or the extent to which the confirmed residual amount is above or below the upper limit approved by the specified country or region. It is also contemplated that the user may specify multiple countries / regions. It is also contemplated that the user may specify a trader and the user will be displayed whether and / or the extent to which the confirmed residual amount is above or below the upper limit approved by the specified trader. It is also contemplated that the user may specify multiple traders.

[0087] In a preferred embodiment, the identified residues of the crop protection product are reported in the form of a percentage diagram and / or in the form of a graphical representation of a percentage diagram, the percentage diagram showing the percentage of the calculated maximum residue, preferably showing the percentage of the legally or officially permitted maximum residue and / or showing the percentage of the maximum residue defined by the trader. In a preferred embodiment, the user can select one or more countries / regions and the size of the calculated residues relative to the maximum residues defined by the country / region is displayed. In a preferred embodiment, the user can select one or more traders and the size of the calculated residues relative to the maximum residues defined by the trader is displayed.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment, the calculated residues are based on maximum residue limits / levels (MRLs) defined by official authorities. Maximum residue limits are the maximum acceptable residue concentrations. In the EU, for example, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is responsible for recommending maximum residue levels, which are then made legally valid standards for food safety by the European Commission.

[0089] Maximum residue levels are usually ascertained by repeated field trials (in the order of 10 orders of magnitude) where the crop is treated according to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and where appropriate pre-harvest intervals or suitable durations have elapsed. For many pesticides, the upper residue limit is the limit of detection (LOD). The limit of quantification (LOQ) is frequently used instead of the LOD. As a rule of thumb, the LOQ value is about twice the LOD value. For substances not included in any annexe of an EU standard, the standard maximum residue level usually applied is 0.01 mg / kg (see for example https: / / ec.europa.eu / food / plant / pesticides / max_residue_levels_en). Instead of or as well as MRL values, the calculated residues can also be expressed in relation to other conventional parameters, such as, for example, the ARfD and / or the ADI and / or the TDI. The Acute Reference Dose (ARfD) is an estimate of the amount of a substance in food or drinking water that a consumer may ingest in a short period of time, typically in a diet or in a day, without significant risk to health. Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) refers to the dose of a substance that is considered medically acceptable if taken daily over a lifetime. In the case of unwanted impurities, this is called the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI).

[0090] In a preferred embodiment, the device / system according to the invention is configured such that at a given time or when a given event occurs, the calculation of the residual amount is updated taking into account changes in the cultivation conditions and / or taking into account changes in the crop protection product and / or taking into account changes in the application parameters. For example, an initial calculation of the residual amount may be based on the typical climate of the respective country or region in which the crop is grown. Then, during the vegetation period, the calculation is adjusted according to the actual weather conditions. Similarly, the calculation can be updated based on the actually performed application of the crop protection product. In addition, the update can be based on sensor data (e.g. remote sensing data and / or field data), which can provide information, for example, on the development state of the crop and / or on the expected yield.

[0091] In a preferred embodiment, the device / system according to the invention is configured so that the user can change the designated crop protection product and / or change the application parameters, after which the residual amount of the crop protection product is recalculated and displayed. This allows the user to plan and evaluate how a change in crop protection product and / or a change in application parameters will affect the residual amount.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment, the device / system according to the invention is configured to change the crop protection product and / or application parameters in response to a user input for optimizing the residual amount so that the residual amount is minimized. In the case of such optimization, it may be the case that the user can decide which parameters are variable and which parameters are fixed. In that case, the device / system changes the variable parameters until the minimum residual amount is reached, and outputs the changed parameters and the calculated (minimum) residual amount to the user. Methods of mathematical optimization can be found in many textbooks on this topic (see, for example, Peter Gritzmann: Grundlagen der Mathematischen Optimierung [Foundations of Mathematical Optimization], Springer Spektrum 2013, ISBN: 978-3-528-07290-2).

[0093] Further preferred embodiments of the present invention are the following. 1. A method comprising: - specifying a crop; - specifying cultivation parameters for the cultivation of a crop; - specifying a crop protection product; - specifying application parameters for the application of a crop protection product; - calculating, at harvest, the amount of residues of the crop protection product in and / or on the part of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption; - displaying the remaining amount to the user; The method includes:

[0094] 2. - determining the maximum residue amount of a specified crop protection product in a specified crop or part thereof; - comparing the calculated residual amount with a maximum amount identified; - displaying to a user the extent to which the calculated residual amount exceeds the maximum amount; 2. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising:

[0095] 3. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the maximum amount is an officially recognized upper limit in a country or region for residues of the specified crop protection product in the specified crop or part thereof.

[0096] 4. The method according to embodiment 2, wherein the maximum amount is a trader-defined upper limit for the crop protection product with respect to the amount of residues in the specified crop protection product or part thereof.

[0097] 5. - indicating the countries / regions where the calculated residues do not exceed any legally approved upper limit for residues in the specified crop or part thereof; and / or - displaying traders whose calculated residues do not exceed any prescribed upper limit for residues in a specified crop or part thereof; 5. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, further comprising:

[0098] 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crop is specified by specifying the variety of the crop being grown, the cultivation parameters are specified by specifying the country or region in which the crop is grown, and the application parameters are specified by specifying the application rate of the crop protection product being applied (or to be applied) and by specifying the length of time from the time of application to the time of harvest.

[0099] 7. Residues of crop protection products are determined using at least the following input information, namely at least: - The crops cultivated, - the country or region in which the crop is grown; - crop protection products that have been used or are intended to be used; - the percentage of crop protection product applications that have been used or are planned for use; - the length of time between application and harvest; The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the calculation is performed using

[0100] 8. Residues of crop protection products are calculated using at least the following input information, namely at least: - The crops cultivated, - crop protection products that have been used or are intended to be used; - the percentage of crop protection product applications that have been used or are planned for use; the amount of biomass and / or fruit mass present in the cultivated crop at the time of application of the crop protection product; - the length of time between application and harvest; The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the calculation is performed using

[0101] 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the residue of the crop protection product is calculated using a regression model.

[0102] 10. The residues of the crop protection product are calculated using a self-learning algorithm trained by empirical data to predict the residues of the crop protection product using the information, and the information is - The crops cultivated, the country or region in which the crop is grown or the amount of biomass and / or fruit mass present in the grown crop at the time of application of the crop protection product; and - crop protection products that have been used or are intended to be used; - the percentage of crop protection product applications that have been used or are planned for use; - the length of time between application and harvest; The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, comprising:

[0103] 11. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the residual amount is displayed to the user as a percentage of a maximum amount defined by an official authority and / or trader.

[0104] 12. - specifying whether the variables related to the crop being grown and / or the variables related to the cultivation parameters and / or the variables related to the crop protection product and / or the variables related to the application parameters are variable and / or invariant; - varying the variable in an automated manner to ascertain the value of the variable at which a minimum amount of residues of the crop protection product is reached; - displaying the value of the variable at which the minimum value of the residue of the crop protection product is reached and displaying this minimum value to the user; 12. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising:

[0105] 13. A device comprising: an input unit; a control calculation unit, an output unit; Including, The control calculation unit is adapted to receive and / or ascertain the following information by activating the input unit: - The crops cultivated, - cultivation parameters related to the cultivation of the crop; - the crop protection products used (or to be used), - application parameters related to the application of the crop protection product; configured to receive and / or verify the control and calculation unit is configured to calculate, at harvest, the amount of residues of the crop protection product in and / or on the part of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption; the control and calculation unit is configured to output the residual amount to a user by activating an output unit; device.

[0106] 14. A system comprising: a first computer system including an input unit, a first control and calculation unit, a first transceiver unit, and an output unit; a second computer system including a second control and calculation unit and a second transceiver unit; Including, The first control calculation unit activates the input unit to receive and / or verify the following input information, namely: - The crops cultivated, - cultivation parameters related to the cultivation of the crop; - the crop protection products used (or to be used), - application parameters related to the application of the crop protection product; configured to receive and / or acknowledge The first control computing unit is configured to transmit the input information to the second computer system via the network by activating the first transceiver unit; The second control calculation unit is configured to receive input information via the network by triggering the second transceiver unit; a second control and calculation unit configured to calculate, based on the input information, at harvest time, a residue of the crop protection product in and / or on the part of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption; The second control calculation unit is configured to transmit the residual amount to the first computer system via the network by activating the second transceiver unit; The first control calculation unit is configured to receive the residual amount via the network by activating the first transceiver unit; The first control calculation unit is configured to output the residual amount to a user by activating an output unit. system.

[0107] 15. A computer program product comprising a data carrier and program code stored on the data carrier, the program code being capable of being transmitted to a computer system having the program code loaded into its memory, receiving and / or verifying the following input information: The crops cultivated, · Cultivation parameters related to the cultivation of the crop; the crop protection products used (or intended to be used); application parameters related to the application of crop protection products; receiving and / or verifying the - calculating, at harvest, the amount of residues of the crop protection product in and / or on the part of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption; - displaying the residual amount to a user; A computer program product that causes the

[0108] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings, but it is not intended that the invention be limited to the features illustrated in the drawings or to the combinations of these features.

[0109] Figure 1 shows, in schematic form by way of example, an embodiment of a 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 use the input unit (11) to input information and control commands into the device. The output unit (13) can output information to the user, preferably for display on a monitor. The control and calculation unit (12) mainly functions to process the input and output information by controlling the components of the device (10) and to perform calculations and logical operations.

[0110] The control calculation unit (12) - activating the input unit (11) to receive the following information: The crops cultivated, · Cultivation parameters related to the cultivation of the crop; the crop protection products used (or intended to be used); application parameters related to the application of crop protection products; to receive information related to - using the received information to calculate, preferably at the time of harvest, the amount of residues of the crop protection product in and / or on the part of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, - prompting the output unit (13) to output the remaining amount to the user; It is composed.

[0111] Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention in schematic form by way of example. In addition to the input unit (11), the control and calculation unit (12) and the output unit (13) described in relation to Fig. 1, the device (10) is connected, for example via a network, to a data medium (30). The data medium (30) can store information relating, for example, to crops (e.g. preferred growing conditions), crop protection products (e.g. preferred application parameters), the climate of a country or region, the weather of a country or region, the infestation of pests in a country or region, and the like. The control and calculation unit (12) may be configured to access the information stored on the data medium (30) and to use the information for the calculation of the residual amount of the crop protection product. In addition, the control and calculation unit (12) may be configured to store information on the data medium (30). It is also conceivable that the data medium (30) comprises a plurality of data media.

[0112] Fig. 3 shows, in schematic form by way of example, an embodiment of a 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 in the form of a desktop, laptop or tablet computer, or in the form of a smartphone. The second computer system (20) is preferably in the form of 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 take over some functions performed by the control computing unit of the device according to the invention. The reasons for transferring functions to the second computer system may be: -Because the calculations require high computing power, they are transferred to a server with the corresponding computing power. The reason is that the calculations should always be based on the latest version of the model and the latest data, which are provided by the server.

[0113] Typically, there are multiple first computer systems operated by different users and a single second computer system or a small number of second computer systems (compared to the number of first computer systems) that provide resources (computing power, data, models) for the multiple first computer systems via one or more networks.

[0114] The first computer system (10) includes an input unit (11), a first control and calculation unit (12), an output unit (13), and a first transceiver unit (14). The second computer system (20) includes a second control and calculation unit (22) and a second transceiver unit (24). The first computer system (10) and the second computer system (20) can exchange information via a network (represented by a dotted line) between the first transceiver unit (14) of the first computer system (10) and the second transceiver unit (24) of the second computer system (20). The network may include a mobile network, for example based on the GSM standard, the GPRS standard, the 2G standard, the 3G standard, the LTE standard, the 4G standard, the 5G standard, or another standard.

[0115] The first control calculation unit (12) is configured to receive the following input information from a user via the input unit (11): - The crops cultivated, - cultivation parameters related to the cultivation of the crop; - the crop protection products used (or to be used), - application parameters related to the application of the crop protection product; The device is configured to receive

[0116] The first control and calculation unit (12) is configured to transmit input information to the second computer system (20) via the network by activating the first transceiver unit (14).

[0117] The second control and computing unit (22) is configured to receive input information via the network by activating the second transceiver unit (24).

[0118] The second control and calculation unit (22) is configured to calculate, based on the input information, preferably at harvest time, the residual amount of crop protection product in and / or on the part of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption.

[0119] The second control and calculation unit (22) is configured to transmit the residual quantity to the first computer system (10) via the network by activating the second transceiver unit (24).

[0120] The first control and calculation unit (12) is configured to receive the residual amount via the network by activating the first transceiver unit (14).

[0121] The first control calculation unit (12) is configured to output the residual amount to a user by activating an output unit (13).

[0122] The system (S) according to the invention may include one data medium or several data media. Such data medium may store information related to crops (e.g. preferred growing conditions), crop protection products (e.g. preferred application parameters), the climate of a country or region, the weather of a country or region, the infestation of pests in a country or region, and the like. Such data medium may be a component of the first computer system (10) or the second computer system (20) and / or a separate unit that may be connected to the first computer system (10) and / or the second computer system (20) via a network.

[0123] FIG. 4 illustrates, in schematic form and by way of example, one embodiment of a method according to the present invention in the form of a flow diagram. The method (100) comprises: (110) A step of specifying a crop; (120) specifying cultivation parameters for growing a crop; (130) Specifying a crop protection product; (140) specifying application parameters for application of a crop protection product; (150) calculating, preferably at harvest time, the amount of residues of the crop protection product in and / or on the part of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption; (160) displaying the remaining amount to a user; Includes.

[0124] 5 shows, by way of example only, in schematic form, in the form of a flow diagram, the steps executed by a computer system on which a computer program product according to the invention is installed. Step (200) comprises: (210) Receiving the following information: The crops cultivated, · Cultivation parameters related to the cultivation of the crop; the crop protection products used (or intended to be used); application parameters related to the application of crop protection products; and (220) Calculating, preferably at harvest, the amount of residues of the crop protection product in and / or on those parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption; (230) Displaying the remaining amount to a user; Includes.

[0125] 6 shows, by way of example only, in schematic form, in the form of a flow diagram, the steps executed by a computer system on which a preferred embodiment of a computer program product is installed. Step (300) includes: (310) receiving the following input information from a user: The crops cultivated, · Cultivation parameters related to the cultivation of the crop; - the crop protection products used (or intended to be used); receiving application parameters associated with application of a crop protection product; (320) transmitting input information to a second computer system; (330) calculating from the second computer system, preferably at harvest time, the amount of residues of the crop protection product in and / or on the part of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption; (340) Displaying the remaining amount to the user; Includes.

[0126] 7 to 20 show, by way of example, a representation of a computer program product according to the invention on the screen of a device according to the invention or of a system according to the invention.

[0127] FIG. 7 shows, by way of example, an input mask in which a user may log in using his or her username and password.

[0128] When the user logs in, he may be asked to specify the fields on which the crop is grown or is intended to be grown. Figure 8 shows a display in the computer program product according to the invention indicating that no fields have been specified yet ("No fields created yet"). By clicking on the virtual button with the + sign, the user can start the process for specifying a new field. This process is illustrated in pictorial form in Figures 9 to 13.

[0129] FIG. 9 shows a first display of the process for specifying a new field. In the input area ("Find a place"), a place name (e.g. country, place and / or road) can be entered. In the background, the surface details are displayed in an aerial photograph or in the form of a map. Once the place name is entered, the surface details including the place name are displayed. By finger movements known from use on a smartphone, the user can move the details, enlarge the details (zoom out) or reduce the details (zoom in).

[0130] In addition, a virtual button ("drop point") allows one to specify a point within the field or on the edge of the field. Upon operation of the virtual button, such a point is placed in the center of the object. This is shown in Figure 10, which shows the same display as Figure 9, except that now the first point within the field is specified.

[0131] Proceeding from the specified point, the user can then place (anchor) further points in the field, which are joined to each other by straight lines. This is shown in Figures 11 and 12.

[0132] The computer program is configured to automatically calculate the size of a specified field. Figure 13 shows a specified field and the calculated size of the field ("0.453 hectares"). The user can name the field ("Field Name"), which in this example is named "Field D".

[0133] Figure 14 shows a further display of the computer program according to the invention. Four fields are shown to have been defined, named "Field A", "Field B", "Field C" and "Field D". The user can select the field for which he wants to predict the residues of the crop protection product. The virtual button with a + sign indicates that further fields can be specified (which can be defined within the computer program).

[0134] Fig. 15 shows a further display of the computer program according to the invention. The computer program informs the user that no information has been specified so far regarding the cultivation of the crop and the application of the crop protection product ("No crop plan"). By operating a virtual button ("Create crop plan"), the user can start a process for specifying the corresponding information. This process is illustrated in the form of an image in Fig. 16.

[0135] FIG. 16 shows a display for creating a growing plan for a crop ("Crop Plan Details"). This display includes a series of inputs. In one input, the user can give a name ("Crop Plan Name") to the respective growing plan. In this case, the name entered by the user was "Plan A". In a further input, the user can specify the crop ("Crop"). In this case, this is achieved by selecting an input in a list. In this case, the user has selected strawberry as the crop. In a further input, the user can specify the crop variety ("Variety"). In this case, the user has selected Fortuna as the crop variety. In a further input, the user can specify the start date of the growing season ("Season Start"). This can be done by entering a date and / or by selecting a date in a virtual calendar. In this case, the user has specified August 17, 2019 as the start date of the growing season. A further input allows the user to specify the end date of the growing season ("end of season"). This can be done by entering a date and / or by selecting a date in a virtual calendar. In this example, the user specifies March 30, 2020 as the end date of the growing season.

[0136] Fig. 17 shows a further display of the computer program according to the invention. Fig. 17 shows in overview a cultivation plan named Plan A. This cultivation plan concerns a strawberry crop of the variety Fortuna. A field named "Field D" is specified, in which the crop is cultivated (planned to be cultivated). Before the computer program can calculate (predict) the residues of the crop protection product, it is necessary to specify one or more markets and a spraying program for at least one crop protection product ("Spraying Plan"). By operating the respective virtual button, the user can start the process for specifying a market ("Select Market") or for specifying a spraying program for at least one crop protection product ("Generate Spraying Plan").

[0137] The process for specifying a market is shown in pictorial form in Figure 18. The process for specifying an application program for at least one crop protection product is shown in pictorial form in Figure 19.

[0138] The term "market" refers to a combination of trader (or store chain) and country. Figure 18 shows an overview of markets sorted by country ("Markets by Country"). In this example, the store chains are listed for three countries: for Germany the store chains are Aldi, Schwarz-Lidl and Rothmann, for Poland the store chains are Lidl and Fresh Market, and for Spain the store chains are Mercadona, Lidl and Aldi. The user can select one or more store chains by clicking. In this example, the user selected the following combination: Germany: Aldi, Germany: Schwarz-Lidl, Poland: Fresh Market, Spain: Mercadona. By operating the virtual buttons, the user can create further markets ("Create Custom Market").

[0139] FIG. 19 shows a display with multiple input fields for specifying a spraying program for at least one crop protection product. Using a first input field, the crop protection product can be specified by entering the product name. In this case, the product name "Luna" is entered. In a further input field, the user can enter and / or select the date of application of the crop protection product. In this case, the user specifies 17.11.2019 as the date. In a further input field, the user can enter the application method. In this case, the user enters foliar application ("Foliar Application") as the application method. In two further input fields, the user can enter the amount of crop protection agent to be applied ("Product Rate", "UOM (=Unit of Measurement)"). In this case, the user enters an amount of 0.75 l / ha. In a further input field, the user can enter the amount of water to be applied ("Water Rate (L / ha)"). In this case, the user enters an amount of 15 l / ha. A further input point allows the user to enter the development state of the crop (at the time of application of the crop protection product) in the form of a BBCH code ("Growth Stage (BBCH)"). In this example, the user enters BBCH code 1 ("Stage 1").

[0140] FIG. 20 shows a display with the results of the prediction. The results were predicted for a strawberry crop of the variety "Fortuna". The results are based on a spraying program ("Plan A", "Spraying Plan") in which 0.5 l / ha of a crop protection product designated as "Product A" was sprayed with 20 l / ha of water at each of two time points (10 May 2019 and 10 July 2019). On 10 May 2019, the crop is / was in a development stage with BBCH code 2 ("Stage 2") and on 10 July 2019, the crop is / was in a development stage with BBCH code 3 ("Stage 3").

[0141] The crop protection product designated as "Product A" contains two active ingredients (fluopyram and trifloxystrobin). The date designated for making the forecast is 12 November 2019 ("Forecast of Residues as of 12 November 2019"). The calculated (forecasted) residue of fluopyram is 0.82 mg / kg. The calculated (forecasted) residue of trifloxystrobin is 0.82 mg / kg. Both residues exceed the MRLs (0.67 mg / kg for fluopyram and 0.5 mg / kg for trifloxystrobin).

[0142] FIG. 21 shows in graph form a comparison of the measured residues (y-axis "Measured residue levels [mg / kg]") and the calculated (predicted) residues according to the invention (x-axis "Predicted residue levels [mg / kg]") for three crop protection products (fluopyram, spinosad (A+D) and trifloxystrobin). Each measurement point on the graph represents a measured residue and a calculated residue according to the invention. The measured and calculated values ​​were validated for strawberries grown under various conditions. The prediction had the following input parameters: - the crop protection products used, - frequency and amount of application of crop protection products; - the time between the last application and the time of harvest; -The average temperature on each spraying date, - the average air humidity on each spraying day, - the cumulative irradiance (solar or artificial lighting) on ​​each application date; - the average diameter and height of the crop (strawberry) on each spraying date; This was done using a nonlinear regression model with

[0143] In Figure 21, a clear correlation can be seen between predicted and measured residues. The maximum levels for the crop protection products are shown as horizontal lines in the graph. The maximum amounts for fluopyram and trifloxystrobin are not exceeded in the graph shown, whereas the maximum amount for spinosad (A+D) is exceeded in several cases. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0144]

Claims

1. A device, comprising: an input unit; a control calculation unit, an output unit; Including, The control calculation unit is configured to receive and / or verify the following input information by activating the input unit: - information related to the crop being grown; - information related to the cultivation of said crop, - information relating to the crop protection products used and / or intended to be used in the cultivation of said crops; - information related to the application of said crop protection product, configured to receive and / or verify said control and computing unit is configured to use said input information to calculate, preferably at the time of harvesting of the crop, residues of said crop protection product in and / or on parts of said crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, the control and calculation unit is configured to output information related to the residual amount by activating the output unit; device.

2. The control and calculation unit is - to ascertain the maximum residue of said crop protection product in said crop or part thereof, - comparing said calculated residual amount with said identified maximum amount; - activating said output unit to output information about whether and / or to what extent said calculated residual amount is above or below said maximum amount, The device of claim 1 .

3. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the maximum amount is an officially approved upper limit in a country or region for residues of the crop protection product in the crop or part thereof.

4. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the maximum amount is a trader-defined upper limit for the crop protection product with respect to residues in the crop or part thereof.

5. The control and calculation unit is - to identify countries and / or regions where the calculated residues do not exceed any officially approved upper limit for residues in the crop or part thereof and / or to identify traders where the calculated residues do not exceed any prescribed upper limit for residues in the crop or part thereof, - activating said output unit to output information regarding which country and / or which region and / or which trader has been identified, The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

6. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the input information comprises the following information: the variety of the crop being grown, and / or the country and / or region in which the crop is grown, and / or the rate of application of the crop protection product, and / or the length of time between the time of application of the crop protection product and the time of harvest.

7. The residual amount of the crop protection product is determined using at least the following input information: - The crops cultivated; - the country or region in which said crop is grown, - crop protection products that have been used or are intended to be used, - the rate of application of said crop protection product that has been used or is planned to be used, - the length of time between application and harvest; The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the calculation is performed using

8. The residual amount of the crop protection product is determined using at least the following input information: - The crops cultivated; - crop protection products that have been used or are intended to be used, - the rate of application of said crop protection product that has been used or is planned to be used, the amount of biomass and / or fruit mass present in the cultivated crop at the time of application of the crop protection product; - the length of time between application and harvest; The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the calculation is performed using

9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the residual amount of the crop protection product is calculated by a regression model.

10. The residual amount of the crop protection product is calculated by a model trained using empirical data by a self-learning algorithm to predict the residual amount of the crop protection product using information, the information comprising: - The crops cultivated; the country or region in which the crop is grown or the amount of biomass and / or fruit mass present in the grown crop at the time of application of the crop protection product; and - crop protection products that have been used or are intended to be used, - the rate of application of said crop protection product that has been used or is planned to be used, - the length of time between application and harvest; The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising:

11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the remaining amount is displayed to the user as a percentage of a maximum amount defined by an official authority and / or trader.

12. The input information is received and / or verified in the form of parameter values, and the control and calculation unit is - activating said input unit to receive and / or validate further input information, namely further input information specifying which parameters are mutable and which are invariant, - varying the value of said variable parameter to identify the parameter value for which said calculated residual quantity is minimal; - activating said output unit to output the parameter values ​​for which said calculated residual is minimized; The device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,

13. 1. A method comprising: - using a computer system to process input information, i.e. - information related to the crop being grown; - information related to the cultivation of said crop; - information relating to the crop protection products used and / or intended to be used in the cultivation of said crop; - information related to the application of said crop protection product; receiving and / or verifying input information including: - calculating, using said computer system, preferably at harvest time, the amount of residues of said crop protection product in and / or on the part of said crop intended for human and / or animal consumption; - outputting information related to said residual amount via an output unit of said computer system; A method comprising:

14. 1. A system comprising: a first computer system including an input unit, a first control and calculation unit, a first transceiver unit, and an output unit; a second computer system including a second control and calculation unit and a second transceiver unit, Including, The first control calculation unit activates the input unit to receive and / or verify the following input information: - information related to the crop being grown; - information related to the cultivation of said crop, - information relating to the crop protection products used and / or intended to be used in the cultivation of said crops; - information related to the application of said crop protection product, configured to receive and / or verify the first control computing unit is configured to transmit the input information to the second computer system via a network by activating the first transceiver unit; the second control computing unit is configured to receive the input information via the network by initiating the second transceiver unit; the second control and calculation unit is configured to calculate, based on the input information, preferably at harvest time, the amount of residues of the crop protection product in and / or on parts of the crop intended for human and / or animal consumption, the second control computing unit is configured to transmit the residual amount to the first computer system via the network by activating the second transceiver unit; the first control and computing unit is configured to receive the residual amount via the network by activating the first transceiver unit; the first control calculation unit is configured to output the residual amount to a user by activating the output unit; system.

15. A computer program product comprising a data carrier and program code stored on the data carrier, The program code is executed by a computer system having the program code loaded into its memory. - receiving and / or validating the following input information: - information related to the crop being grown; - information related to the cultivation of said crop; - information relating to the crop protection products used and / or intended to be used in the cultivation of said crop; - information related to the application of said crop protection product; receiving and / or verifying the - using said input information to calculate, preferably at harvest, the amount of residues of said crop protection product in and / or on parts of said crop intended for human and / or animal consumption; - outputting information related to said residual amount; A computer program product that causes the

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