New technology developed by InnerPlant could revolutionize how growers detect plant stresses. Sean Yokomizo of Davis, CA-based InnerPlant recently demonstrated the technology during a field day at Peterson Farms Seed in Southeastern North Dakota. The technology involves creating crops that emit specific optical signals when they are under stress from pathogen attacks, such as fungal infections. These signals are visible from satellites weeks before the stress is visible to the human eye at the field level.
The technology tracks molecular responses in plants to stress and inserts a piece of DNA that creates a fluorescent protein when the plant is reacting to a specific stress. This fluorescence is detectable from space, allowing farmers to identify stressed plants early and take targeted action. Agronomists can then treat individual plants that are under stress, reducing the need for broad chemical applications.
The goal of the technology is to provide farmers with actionable information early enough to preserve their yields before they are impacted by stress. The system is designed to be straightforward, with the data being contained in the seed itself. This allows farmers to easily interpret the data and take necessary actions to protect their crops.
Overall, the technology developed by InnerPlant has the potential to revolutionize how farmers monitor and respond to plant stresses, ultimately leading to increased yields and reduced environmental impact from chemical treatments.
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Photo credit agnetwest.com