Remote Plant Pathogen Risk Assessment System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for plant pathogen assessment and management are inefficient, often leading to unnecessary and costly fungicide use due to lack of optimal targeting and timing, resulting in economic and environmental impacts.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for remote real-time pathogen assessment in agricultural areas, using a spore collector, microbiological spore identification, and weather data analysis to calculate and transmit a risk assessment, enabling targeted and timely fungicide application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fungicides are applied widely and frequently to prevent plant diseases, then crop protection is improved, but cost and environmental impact increase due to unnecessary use
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of pathogen presence and species type before fungicide application. Spore collectors continuously monitor for pathogenic spores, and the system predicts disease risk in advance, enabling farmers to apply fungicides only when and where needed, rather than using them routinely or reactively after symptoms appear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where spore collection data, weather data, and disease predictions are continuously monitored and used to adjust fungicide application decisions. The mobile device provides real-time feedback to the user about pathogen presence and recommended treatment timing, enabling dynamic optimization of fungicide use based on actual conditions.
2Reliability
If fungicides are applied after disease symptoms appear, then treatment is provided, but effectiveness is reduced and unnecessary application occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preliminary detection of pathogen spores in the environment before they infect plants and cause visible symptoms. By identifying the presence and type of pathogenic spores early, the system allows for preventive fungicide application at the optimal time, maximizing effectiveness and avoiding the delay associated with waiting for symptom appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the traditional mechanical/visual inspection method (looking for symptoms) with a biological detection method (spore identification). This substitution enables early detection at the spore stage rather than waiting for plant symptoms, fundamentally changing the timing and effectiveness of disease management.
3Ease of operation
If fungicides are not correctly targeted to the specific pathogen, then application is simplified, but effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of the specific pathogen species present in the environment before recommending fungicide application. The spore collector identifies which type of pathogenic spores are present, and the system uses this information to recommend the most effective fungicide treatment, ensuring correct targeting while maintaining ease of operation through automated guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of fungicide selection from generic to specific based on pathogen identification. By analyzing spore characteristics and matching them to known pathogens, the system dynamically determines the appropriate fungicide type and application timing, optimizing effectiveness without complicating the user process through clear recommendations.
Data Source
AI summary
Remote access methods and systems for plant pathogen (e.g., fungi or fungus-like organisms) assessment and management, and uses thereof, in particular for real-time agricultural applications, are described herein. In embodiments, the method and systems combine the capture of pathogenic spores (e.g., by impaction on an adhesive surface), laboratory analysis to identify the spores (e.g., by microscopy and/or PGR), collecting weather data, determining the level of risk for each pathogen, and providing an output to a user, who may for example access such risk data remotely as a risk report. A weather station is installed in proximity to the field/area where the spore sampling/collection occurs, and allows the constant transfer of weather data to effect the risk assessment. The risk assessment may be used to direct and optimize pesticide (e.g., fungicide) application in accordance with the pathogen identification and assessed risk level.