Progress 08/01/03 to 07/31/05
Outputs
Infrared reflectance biosensors were developed and tested for variable rate nitrogen application to spinach. A response algorythem developed weekly from nutrient-enriched strips was developed, and spinach production was monitored using hand application versus machine application of indicated nitrogen quantities. Spinach yield was enhanced using the variable rate technology, and there was no difference between manual versus machine nitrogen application. A process to quantitate lycopene in aqueous suspension using fiber optic spectroscopy was developed. The process was evaluated for both watermelon and tomato puree, and found to be reliable within 10 percent of the measured true value using a traditional organic chemical extraction method. A procedure to attenuate response for an x-ray imaging system was developed. Once a multi-sensor system was attenuated, visualization of defects and/or insect infestation of in-shell pecans was possible.
Impacts
Use of crop biosensors to evaluate crop nitrogen needs allows precise and variable application of N to a crop, enhancing uniformity of production and in many cases yield. We have confirmed use of the technology for land-based applications, and we have proven the utility of nutrient-enriched strips to calibrate nutrient output. Lycopene is a major constituent of red-fleshed watermelons and represents a secondary marketing opportunity for the watermelon industry. We have developed a procedure to measure watermelon lycopene content which can be applied in the field, with no need for lengthy organic chemical extraction as a preparatory step. New x-ray inspection sensors were tested as one component of a non-destructive, on-line grading tool for tree nuts. Application of the technology will be needed for automating in-shell pecan grading and inspection.
Publications
- R. Choudhary, T.J. Bowser, P. Weckler, N.O. Maness, W. McGlynn, and M. L. Stone, 2005 Rapid Estimation of Lycopene Concentration in Watermelon and Tomato Puree by Fiber Optic Visible Spectroscopy. Transactions of the ASAE. Submitted.
- P.R. Weckler, M.L. Stone, N.O. Maness, R.S. Jayasekara, C.L. Jones, T. Kersten, D. Chrz, 2005 Remote Sensing to Estimate Chlorophyll Concentration Using Multi-Spectral Plant Reflectance Sensing, Transactions of the ASAE. submitted.
- N. Kotwaliwale, P.R. Weckler, G.H. Brusewitz, 2004 X-ray Attenuation Coefficients Using Polychromatic X-ray Imaging of Pecan Components, Journal of Biosystems Engineering. submitted.
- Jones, C.L., N. O. Maness, M. L. Stone, J. B. Solie and R. Jayasekara. 2005. Chlorophyll Estimation Using Multi-spectral Reflectance and Height Sensing. Trans. Amer. Soc. Agr. Engr., submitted.
- Jones, C.L., N.O. Maness, M.L. Stone, J.B. Solie and D. Zavodny. 2005. Variable rate nitrogen application on row crop spinach. Paper No. 051119. American Society of Agricultural Engineering, Tampa, FL, July 17-20.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Development of a combined digital imagery/sonar system to predict plant biomass was tested. Correlations with spinach plant biomass were improved when both measures were taken, versus either procedure alone. Hyperspectral imaging was evaluated as a non-destructive means to determine degree of water stress in spinach, corn and green beans. Water absorbing wavelengths were useful for detecting water stress, but correlations with plant water content were highest for spinach and corn versus green beans. A process to segregate lycopene during flesh filtration between filtrate and filter cake was documented. Lycopene from filtrates of under-mature and mature melons could be effectively precipitated with centrifugation - lycopene from over-ripe melon filtrates was only poorly precipitated. A process to quantitate lycopene in aqueous suspension was developed. Although light scattering caused by solid partials in a puree caused some error in measurement, if a proper path
length was maintained values were reliable withing 10 percent of the measured true value. A device to macerate melon flesh inside the rind was developed. Through a small hole in the rind a rotating shaft was inserted. Varying lengths of thick plastic cord then macerated the flesh without cutting through the rind. The macerated flesh could then be pumped out of the rind in an in-field harvesting operation.
Impacts
New generation plant biosensors are needed to extend the current technology application for assessment of plant nutrient and/or physiological status on a per unit ground area basis to a per plant, and perhaps to a per leaf basis. Development of multi-spectral reflectance camera systems, to evaluate plant status on a pixel-by-pixel basis will be complemented by further development of ground-based conventional technology to apply the technology to ever-increasing land mass areas. Lycopene is a major constituent of red-fleshed watermelons and represents a secondary marketing opportunity for the watermelon industry. New analytical tools and harvesting and handling technologies under development as a component of this project are needed to initiate this needed and potentially lucrative marketing opportunity.
Publications
- Jones, C. L., N. O. Maness, M. L. Stone, and R. Jayasekara. 2004. Sonar and digital imagery for estimating crop biomass. Paper No. 043061. ASAE/CSAE Annual International Meeting, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Jones, C. L., P. R. Weckler, N. O. Maness, M. L. Stone, and R. Jayasekara. 2004. Estimating water stress in plants using hyperspectral sensing. Paper No. 043065. ASAE/CSAE Annual International Meeting, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Solie, J.B., M.L. Stone, and S.D. Reed, 2004. Nozzle attitude controller for spot and variable rate application of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers. U.S. Patent 9,912,230
- Oikonomakos, I., N.O. Maness, D. Chrz and P. Perkins-Veazie. 2004. A novel procedure for lycopene recovery from red-fleshed watermelons. American Society for Horticultural Science Southern Region annual meeting, Tulsa, OK, Feb. 14-16.
- Bangara, H., P. Weckler, T. Bowser and N. Maness. 2004. Design of a watermelon pulp and juice extraction machine. Paper No. 043065. ASAE/CSAE Annual International Meeting, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
Development of a laser system to detect reflectance based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) at a small spot in a field crop was initiated. Detection of multi-spectral reflectance of field crops offers great opportunity for discriminating small spatial features in the crop. Applications of particular interest include detection of weeds in field crops in greater resolution than is possible with current sensor technology and evaluation of extent of plant damage due to disease, herbicide drift or insect infestation.
Impacts
New generation plant biosensors are needed to extend the current technology application for assessment of plant nutrient and/or physiological status on a per unit ground area basis to a per plant, and perhaps to a per leaf basis. Development of multi-spectral reflectance camera systems, to evaluate plant status on a pixel-by-pixel basis will be complemented by implementation of the laser technology.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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