VinoLAS
Due to the massive effects of climate change, European viticulture is increasingly facing an economic crisis. One of these effects is the increase in infestation pressure by fungal pathogens. In the majority of past years, this situation has required high levels of fungicide use. In the medium to long term, however, the use of plant protection products should be reduced by up to 50% both at the European level (e.g. European Green Deal1, 2) and nationally (key points of the BMEL3, NAP4) by 2030. The wine-growing industry is currently facing major challenges with the crop protection-intensive permanent vine crop.
Brief Description
Laser-based monitoring tool to optimize crop protection: early detection of fungal pests of vines and monitoring of vine diseases in the vineyard using non-contact laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy for future, long-term fungicide reduction and biodiversity increase in viticulture
Applications
Automated and specific pest and infestation monitoring in the vineyard
State-of-the-art laser-optical technology supports the digital transformation process in viticulture
The vinoLAS system could conceivably be used in other speciality crops
Facts and Figures
Multi-wavelength fluorescence excitation for specific detection of pathogens
Detection distance: 1.0 - 2.0 m
First asymptomatic, latent infections can be recognised after 7 days using the BFRR_UV and ChIF index
In viticulture, however, a key component of this package of measures is missing: broad-based pest monitoring. Manual monitoring of fungal populations in the vineyard is extremely difficult and time-consuming. Existing passive-optical methods for the early detection of diseases in the foliage and/or grape zone have considerable weaknesses.
Optical technologies will play a key role in the introduction of new technologies into agricultural practice
In the vinoLAS project, the existing, innovative laser spectroscopic laboratory model5, 6, 7 is being further developed into a compact, cost-effective and robust demonstrator for automated disease monitoring in an operational environment, in a vineyard.
The experimental background is a non-invasive measurement of plant metabolism using a novel measurement technique based on laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIF). The aim is the non-contact early detection of infestation with harmful fungi - differentiated according to pathogens.
The project is thus orientated towards the strategies of the BMEL and BMBF for the promotion of specific, practical innovations, including the diagnosis and prognosis monitoring of harmful organisms using optical technologies.
Scientific work objectives
The overarching scientific work objectives are divided into three sub-topic areas. These are flanked by the requirements and networks from winegrowing practice and other associated partners:
- Laser system development and metrology
- Prototype implementation
- KI data analysis and visualisation
The work is practical and makes an important contribution to integrated agriculture and environmental protection
Only through continuous further development can a true-to-scale demonstration of the developed measurement technology be realised in an operational environment. This strengthens the overall innovation cycle and promotes a faster transfer to application and market maturity.
Innovation content
- Implementation of automated infestation detection in vine protection
- state-of-the-art technology supports the digital transformation process in viticulture
- reduction of fungicide applications in viticulture can be realised without loss of yield (conservation of resources).