1. Precision Crop protection In Bachelor Class Precision Farming 2012 Rob kerkmeester Meeting 1

2. 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

3. Program meeting 1 1. Introduction 2. DSS: what do you want to know? 3. Old example: Epipre 4. 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

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)  …?

9. Pictures: what types of damage to host plants are caused here? Less chlorophyll; mosaic virus

10. Fusarium tomato: wilting; Water translocation

11. Dutch Elm Disease  wilting

12. Beet cyst nematode Damage to roots causes smaller plant

13. Lesions (spots); rust

14. Lesions; blotches, spots Powdery mildewPhytophthora, downy mildew

15. Effects of pests and diseases on plant physiological functions 1. Growth reduction 2. Less photosynthesis 3. Water translocation 4. Evaporation 5. Respiration > 6. Chlorophyll < 7. Lesions 8. Change in colour 9. Change in leaf shape 1. DNVI 2. See equipment has 3. ? Reflection? 4. Temp., close sensing? 5. ? 6. Reflection: close sens. 7. Close sensing?? 8. Reflection 9. NDVI?

16. 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??

17. 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?