How can AI assist in Pathogen Detection?


The FGR Precision Silviculture Programme is always looking at how to utilise digital technologies to improve outcomes and the Nursery workstream is no different. FGR have partnered with Australian-based company BioScout to evaluate their next-generation plant disease management system, to assess its effectiveness in detecting of terminal crook spores across several test sites in the North Island.

How does it work?
An individual unit will be deployed to a stationery position in a nursery with spore collection facilitated by a fan equipped with sensors, directing airstream flow to a transparent sticky tape reel. From there, hundreds of high resolution images, with perfect focus, are taken, leveraging advanced microscopic imagery. BioScout utilises AI through a machine learning model, to identify and count spores for each target disease from the sample captured. BioScout units have already been successfully deployed across viticulture sites in New Zealand, monitoring over thirty diseases, including Botrytis rot and powdery mildew. Nursery managers will be able to monitor data on a dashboard, which includes environmental conditions and custom pathology notes

As we learn more about the model’s proficiency in identifying terminal crook, it may be possible to identify new strains, as well as expanding to monitor and detect other pathogens that may be harmful to tree stocks. We see great potential in this technology for detecting pathogens before infections become symptomatic across tree stocks. Identifying risks much earlier also means nurseries can then apply precision spraying, reducing the need for blanket or repetitive coverage.


You can find out more about BioScout here and keep checking our website for updates on this exciting project!

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