The time is coming when farmers will check an in-field diagnostic tool for presence of a disease or insect and know it’s time to apply a crop protection product. We’re not exactly there yet, but sensor technology and apps are advancing to the point where it’s possible to get diagnostics on a field-by-field basis.
One invention from Innotech Alberta gets us one step closer to making sclerotinia risk by field possible. Dr. Susie Li has created a field-level sclerotinia detection device that’s both simple and affordable for farmers. (More below)
The device takes in and detects sclerotinia spores once per day, providing an up-to-date risk forecast exactly where a farm has canola growing. It’s affordable too, and Li says that was a key part of developing this spore sensor.
The Canola Council of Canada has also rolled out a new sclerotinia risk assessment guide to help make the spray decision at flowering. The tool takes into account crop prices, the cost of spraying, as well as other factors to give growers a confidence level in a spray pass being worth it.
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