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Smart Farming

Innovation in biotechnology and competence for tomorrow's agriculture.

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The plant ECG from LEHNER

In order to achieve the optimum in yield and quality, modern crop production must record the environmental influences and the growth and development behaviour of its crops as precisely as possible. The measurement techniques frequently used for this purpose record environmental factors, such as Temperature, air and soil humidity, precipitation, wind and solar radiation. Although these measured values ​​represent the environmental conditions, they only provide indirect information about the actual condition and needs of the plants in the cultivated areas.

The LEHNER E-Plant © sensor technology enables automatic, permanent monitoring of the crops over the entire vegetation period. Time-consuming inspections to control the cultures can be minimized. The use of active ingredients can take place in a more spatially and temporally targeted manner and thus even more effectively and economically.

Award-winning biotech project

E-Plant © enables automatic, permanent monitoring of crops over the entire vegetation period. The basics in order to achieve the optimum in yield and quality, modern crop production must record the environmental influences and the growth and development behaviour of its crops as precisely as possible. The measurement techniques that are frequently used for this purpose record environmental factors such as temperature, air and soil moisture, precipitation, wind and solar radiation. Although these measured values ​​represent the environmental conditions, they only provide indirect information about the actual condition and needs of the plants in the cultivated areas.

The interpretation of the environmental measurement data with regard to their significance for the status of the crops and the determination of the necessary treatment measures still require a great deal of specialist knowledge and experience. Added to this is the time required for regular inspection and macroscopic assessment of the crops in the cultivation areas, which means that production costs remain high.

"The aim is to provide gardeners, winegrowers and farmers with a sensor system with E-Plant © that supports them in their daily work. At the same time, we want to contribute with our work for more yield and environmental protection in agriculture and horticulture".

In contrast to conventional measuring methods, the E-Plant © sensor system records and interprets plant signals that arise directly as a reaction to environmental stimuli. For this purpose, the sensors are attached to the plants and the measured values ​​are sent to the data evaluation system by radio. If there are abiotic or biotic stress factors that negatively affect plant growth, the plant reactions are recognized and evaluated by E-Plant ©. The gardener / farmer is immediately informed by SMS about the changed condition of his crops.

The LEHNER sensor technology E-Plant ©  enables the automatic, permanent monitoring of the crops over the entire vegetation period. Time-consuming inspections to control the cultures can be minimized. The use of active ingredients can take place in a spatially and temporally targeted manner and thus even more effectively and economically.

Innovative measurement technology

The measurement technology is based on the derivation of electrical surface potentials and is non-invasive and allows long-term measurements of several months without impairing plant growth. The radio sensors allow the automatic, large-scale monitoring of cultivation areas in the field and greenhouse.

Eating damage, water stress and other environmental stress factors that have a negative effect on yield formation are detected and signalled to the farmer. Harvest yields can be secured and, if necessary, increased. In addition, a reduction in environmental pollution is to be expected by saving unnecessary spray campaigns.

Biomonitoring

With E-Plant © , LEHNER GmbH is developing a new type of sensor system in the field of biotechnology. The development, which was awarded the CyberOne HighTech Award by bwcon, supports hobby gardeners and commercial agriculture alike. It serves to increase yields and protect the environment in agriculture.

With the help of new sensor technology it has been shown that plants react to environmental stimuli with characteristic electrical signals. Every electrical signal pattern that deviates from the signal pattern of an intact plant contains information about stress factors such as Drought stress or caterpillar damage.

E-Plant © enables a new insight into plant development. With E-Plant © , environmental changes and the resulting negative influences on plant growth can be recognized and reported immediately. This opens up a wide range of possibilities in horticulture as well as in agriculture and forestry.

Diagnosis of plant status

E-Plant © makes it possible to determine the development status of the plants (e.g. the flowering status). It may also be possible to record the ripeness of the fruit. In summary: A comprehensive diagnosis of plant status.

Areas of application:

  • Quality control in cuttings production; Determining the ripeness of grapes in viticulture; Estimation of the time of flowering and harvest.
  • Detection of parasite infestation: Eating damage or fungal infestation lead to altered electrical signals. The interpretation of these deviations provides the opportunity to identify infected crops and treat them in a targeted manner. This results in efficient production and a reduction in environmental pollution through the optimized use of pesticides. If necessary, an additional increase in yield can be expected. Areas of application: large-scale bio-monitoring in the greenhouse and in the field; especially in plant breeding, wine and hops growing and in orchards.
  • Detection of drought stress: water shortage leads to crop losses. With the help of E-Plant © acute drought stress can be recognized and communicated to the farmer and hobby gardener by radio. Applications: Agriculture, Private households.

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