Imaging breakthrough

Early warning: Hyperspectral camera provides information on the health of crops

Scottish researchers have developed a new type of imaging technology to help farmers monitor their crops.

Academics at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), Strathclyde University and The James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie, have teamed up with Glasgow-based product design firm Wideblue to develop a hyperspectral imaging system (HIS).

They believe the sensors they are developing will be up to 90% cheaper than the equivalent equipment currently available on the market, meaning high-resolution spectral imaging technology could soon be significantly more accessible to the farming industry.

The team’s system uses linear variable optical filters to disperse light reflecting from plants into specific wavelengths and colours. This data is then analysed to provide a number of key indicators to farmers on the conditions of crops.

Researchers hope farmers will be able to use the technology to monitor plant health, hydration levels and disease indicators, leading to optimised use of fertiliser, a reduction in water use due to more efficient irrigation methods, and more critically, the ability to spot disease and infestations at an earlier stage.

“While similar technology has been available in the agricultural sector for some time, there has always been the matter of cost. The UWS filter coupled with software from Strathclyde and Wideblue’s hardware has made this technology significantly more accessible and cost friendly,” said Professor Des Gibson from UWS.

“In the long term, we would like to make the product available on a global scale, particularly in countries such as China, where agricultural investment in greenhouse crop production is quickly becoming the most common method of farming.”

Russell Allison, from agricultural merchants Galloway and MacLeod, which is involved in the project, said: “As technology develops, it is important that agriculture utilises this to full benefit, helping improve input efficiency and maximise returns per hectare. This is where the new HSI camera comes into play.

“Initial costs are lower than similar products on the market, making the technology accessible to a wider range of farms.

“Moreover, it is anticipated that the camera will bring far more benefits, through earlier management decisions, than currently achievable on growing crops.”

A leaf with signs of potato blight.