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Fighting Phytophtora using micro-climate
The new radio telescope of the LOFAR (Low Frequency
Array) project is based on tens of thousands of antennas that are
connected to each other with a large ICT infrastructure. LOFAR_Agro
will make use of this infrastructure and has chosen as its first
application the measurement of the micro-climate in potato crops.
This information will be used to improve the advice on how to combat
phytophtora within a crop, based on the circumstances within each
individual field.
 Phytophthora
Phytophthora is a fungal disease in potatoes, which can enter a
field through a variety of sources. The development and associated
attack of the crop depends strongly on the climatological conditions
within the field.
Micro Climate
The factors that are most important indicators for the development
of phytophtora are: temperature, humidity and whether or not the
leaves are wet.
Smart Dust
Sensors with wireless communication capabilities are being developed
right now and are generally expected to be as small as a fertilizer
pellet by 2010. Further miniaturization is likely and these sensors
may ultimately resemble dust. Prices are expected to decrease to
about one dollar each.
Motes in LOFAR_Argo
The phytophtora project will make use of Motes, which consist of
a radio transmitter and a sensor board. The radio works at a frequency
of 433 MHz and can cover distances of up to 15-30 meters. The sensor
part of the Mote, measures air pressure, temperature, relative humidity
and illumination. Because the humidity of the soil is also a major
factor in the development of the micro climate, a number of sensors
that measure soil humidity will also be included in each field.
Wireless Sensor Network
About a hundred motes will form a network within a field. These
motes will pass information to each other which will ultimately
be gathered together at a collection-point known as a Field-Gateway
at the edge of a field. The information from a local meteorological
station will be added to the data stream. The wireless sensors are
capable of determining their relative positions within the field,
so that it is automatically known for which part of the area under
study the micro-climate applies.
Agro Server
The Agro Server collects the data streams from the Field Gateways
on the different parcels of land. The information is checked and
stored in a database, together with any other relevant data that
is available. Users may be granted (restricted) access to the data
on the Agro Server, which may also be pre-processed on the server
before it is made available.
Phytophtora Advice
The decision support system (DSS) which helps the farmer to combat
phytophtora in his crop, gathers the information from the meteorological
station and the wireless sensors from the Agro Server. Based on
this information maps will be made of the temperature distribution
within the fields, as well as other quantities. Together with the
weather forecast this information will be usedby the DSS to develop
a strategy on how the disease can best be prevented or controlled.
It will alert the farmer of patches within his fields which are
most susceptible and can be used to gauge the steps that need to
be taken.
Pilot in 2005
The project will start in two plots of potatoes adjacent to the
core of the LOFAR array in Borger-Odoorn in the province of Drenthe.
It will be possible to follow the developments within the fields
via internet.
Participants in LOFAR-Agro
LOFAR_Agro is joint project of the following institutes and companies:
ASTRON, Kverneland Mechatronics, Vertis, Opticrop, the Technical
University in Delft and from Wageningen University Farm Technology,
Agrotechnology & Food (A&F) Innovations and Plant Research
International. A&F is leading the project.
Further Information:
Dr. D. Goense daan.goense@wur.nl
or phone: +31 317 476 326.
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of questions or comments regarding LOFAR, or about these web pages,
please contact lofar@astron.nl
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