Precision Crop protection In Bachelor Class Precision Farming 2012Rob kerkmeesterMeeting 1

Schedule Precision Crop Protect. 25-10-’12 meeting 1

Basis principles of Decision Support systems Crop Protection (DSS). What determines the risks?

2-11-’12 Sensor data and decision rules crop protection ccc, spray loaf killer, Phytophthora via NDVI

16-11-’12 Automation in spraying: strawberry, fruit,

Isafruit. Ruud. Disease detection robot. guest lecture Dacom or Corné Kempenaar

Program meeting 11. Introduction2. DSS: what do you want to know?3. Old example: Epipre4. What can we observe on a crop?5. What damage do diseases cause?6. What are effects of pests and diseases

on plant physiological functions?7. What can be observed and how?8. Conclusions for future??9. Assignment

Decision Support System; basic principles Brainstorm (3 pp, 10 minutes); report on

flap What information could a DSS need/want?

Why is this information useful? Brief presentation + discussion (10

minutes)

What do I think a DSS can use? Weather:

Present condition + leaf & soil temp Past weather condition Weather prediction

Environment of the crop: windshields, biodiversity, other susceptible crops

Race of crop Soil conditions (fertility, org. matter, texture,…) Fertilization Crop protection measures (preventive, curative)

Example Epipre Developed in 1980-90 at WUR (Zadoks, Rijsdijk)

±10 pH.D, >100 students: very large project Winter wheat: diseases of leaves and aphids Goal: accurate prediction of damage and loss Advice based on economic / action threshold Based on crop observations, not on weather Models based on race, soil, previous action Outcome: growers updated their knowledge What is different in DSS? 2 components added:

Weather! Predicting risks Better observations using Precision farming

What do we need in DSS for accurate advice?

Temperature: fungus: spore release; ≠ germination Example Apple scab: ascospores develop

according to cumulative temperature, when ripened: release at adequate temperature; conidia need different temperature and r.h.

Moisture: demands of fungus for r.h., leaf wetness duration

Accurate weather predictions for crop (detailed!)

Soil and crop health condition Natural resistance factor

What can we observe at a crop?Naked eye: Growth stage; general appearance (+ sensing?) Symptoms, signs (+ close sensing; interpretation?)Weather: measuring: Temperature Humidity Chemical analysis: Cell content / soil Near / close sensing: Color: light reflection (different spectra) Temperature (i.r. spectrum) Density (LAI/NDVI) …?

Pictures: what types of damage to host plants are caused here?

Less chlorophyll; mosaic virus

Fusarium tomato: wilting; Water translocation

Dutch Elm Disease

wilting

Beet cyst nematode

Damage to roots causes smaller plant

Lesions (spots); rust

Lesions; blotches, spots

Powdery mildew Phytophthora, downy mildew

Effects of pests and diseases on plant physiological functions

1. Growth reduction2. Less photosynthesis3. Water translocation4. Evaporation < or >5. Respiration >6. Chlorophyll <7. Lesions 8. Change in colour9. Change in leaf shape

1. DNVI2. See equipment has3. ? Reflection?4. Temp., close sensing?5. ?6. Reflection: close sens.7. Close sensing?? 8. Reflection9. NDVI?

Conclusion Only at the start of great possibilities Recognition of (more) weeds Adapting herbicide spraying to weeds

(MLHD) Adapting spraying to crop density (NDVI) Assessing crop vitality Signal of oncoming disease? Warning of deficiency? Warning of disease symptoms??

Assignment what diseases do you know that cause

the physiological effects (slide 8)? Give examples

What diseases can cause characteristic symptoms in an early stage, so an alert can be given in time?