b'The images that we are using have a very high spatial resolution, between five and 10 centimetres, so you can see the individual plants. And if the UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] flies very low, we can get between three and five centi-metres with the resolution. The exciting potential advantage of this drone imagery approach is growers would not need to make preventive applications of broad-spectrum fungicides. Because the drone takes only 10 minutes to get the image, the grower could fly the field every day or every two days [to closely monitor the disease situation], says Leblon. So instead of doing preventive spraying, he can spend his time flying the drone. And he would only spray when the disease is actually present.By eliminating preventive applications while still controlling the disease, growers would save money and time, reduce the potential for negative environ-mental impacts from fungicides, and lower the risk of fungicide resistance in the pathogens. ALGORITHMS FOR P.E.I.Leblons potato disease study, which started in 2018, involves fieldwork and con-trolled environment experiments. The controlled environment work is being carried out in collaboration with Jinfei Wang from Westerns Department of Geography, who has access to Westerns biotron. The biotron is a unique facility with specialized environmental chambers, labs and equipment ideal for this type of research. For the studys first step, the project team conducted a large experiment in the biotron. They inoculated Russet Burbank and Shepody plants with each disease. Then they tested their camera and sensors to determine which particular wave-lengths are the most effective for early detection of late blight and early blight.LET OUR EXPERTS BUILD YOU ONE OF THE MOST In 2019, they will be conducting fieldwork in five to 10 potato fields. Most of theDURABLE AND FEATURE-RICH TRUCK BOXES OR fields will be in Prince Edward Island and some in New Brunswick. The team willCONVEYORS YOULL EVER OWN.be selecting the fields to encompass a wide range of variation in factors that could influence the wavelengths reflected from a potato field, such as differences in soil properties, nutrient levels, plant health, and potato varieties. The idea is to get enough data to produce algorithms that would be applicable for all of P.E.I., Leblon explains. Leblons team will map each field with the drone and also collect a lot of data on the ground, such as conducting ground-level spectral measurements andNEW Stainless Steel Box Now Availableidentifying potato plants with visible disease symptoms.In 2020, the team will do some further biotron experiments, and they will likely begin to produce some scientific papers about their results.For a grower who already has a drone, using imagery for early disease detection would require obtaining the algorithm software specific to the growers area and perhaps purchasing a specialized camera, depending on the capabilities of theWhen you purchase a Bau-Man drones existing camera.truck box or conveyor you get: Additional research would be needed to develop algorithms for Canadas otherDependability All our systems areTo learn more about Bau-Man con-potato-growing regions. over-engineered veyors, live bottom boxes and ourCustomized Options Choose fromcomplete line of potato handlingLeblon sees two ways the technology might be applied by growers.multiple options to suit your needs. equipment, contact us for a free You could put the camera on any kind of drone, says Leblon. Then the farmer Proven Performance For 25 yearsproduct literature package or speakcan capture the image of his potato fields and apply our algorithm to see if heweve had one mission, deliver thewith one of our friendlyhighest quality product and returnproduct advisors.needs to spray. Another way is to put the camera directly on a sprayer and link iton investment to the farmer. to the sprayer for real-time spraying. The system would automatically detect the disease and spray only where the disease was found.Whether a grower prefers using drone imagery or spore trapping, early detection of late blight has the potential to provide valuable information for making fungi- Potato Handling & Transportation Equipmentcide application decisions. FALL 2019 SPUDSMART.COM 49'