The time is coming when farmers will be able to use diagnostic tools in their fields to check for the presence of disease and pests and know when to spray pesticides. We’re not there yet, but sensor technology and apps are advancing to the point where we can diagnose each field individually.
An Innotech Alberta invention brings us one step closer to detecting field-by-field sclerotinia risk. Dr. Susie Lee has developed a field-level sclerotinia detection device that is simple and affordable for farmers (more on that below).
The device captures and detects Sclerotinia spores once a day and provides up-to-date risk predictions for the exact location on the farm where canola is grown. It is also affordable, which Li says was a key part of developing the spore sensor.
The Canola Council of Canada New Sclerotinia rot risk assessment guide It helps determine whether to spray at bloom. The tool takes into account crop price, spraying costs and other factors to give growers confidence that spraying is worth it.
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