EARLY DETECTION OF NEMATODE INDUCED PLANT STRESS USING VIVENT’S BIOSIGNALS

Switzerland, June 21 2024
Bringing light into the dark – Real-time monitoring of nematode induced plant stress and nematicide efficacy using Vivent Biosignal’s revolutionary real-time crop monitoring solutions.

Vivent Biosignals is delighted to announce the publication of ground-breaking results of a highly innovative 18 month long experimental program, with Syngenta Crop Protection, in the Journal of Pest Science. Vivent’s technology was used to assess real-time plant responses to both plant parasitic nematode infections and for the first time, to nematicide efficacy. Led by Dr Andrzej Kurenda, of Vivent Biosignals, and Dr Anke Buchholz, of Syngenta Crop Protection, the study focused on the infestation of tomato plants by the root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, and introduced a novel approach utilizing plant electrophysiology for accurate detection and monitoring of nematode infections.

Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic organisms found in soil that feed on the roots of crops such as corn, potatoes and carrots1. Nematodes, which are very difficult for farmers to identify and control, are present in almost all agricultural soils, attacking crops and opening a path to further fungal infections, and reducing farmers’ yield and produce quality. Plant-parasitic nematodes and soil-borne diseases are invisible threats that can devastate crops and lead to yield losses of up to 12% globally per year – equating to an estimated loss of $150 billion a year for farmers2.

The study revealed that monitoring nematode-induced stress through electrophysiology correlated closely with conventional methods such as assessing root galls, as well as with xylem sap quantification, an innovative approach applied for the first time in this study. By recording electrophysiological signals from both infested and uninfested plants, researchers developed a trained model capable of indicating nematode-induced stress intensity and the progression of plant damage over time.

One of the most significant findings of the study was the real-time assessment of nematicide efficacy. For the first time, researchers recorded the reduction in plant stress delivered by effective nematicides. Plants treated preventatively with cyclobutrifluram exhibited a delayed and shorter period of low stress intensity compared to untreated plants, which experienced maximum stress for a prolonged duration. Furthermore, the study highlighted the different modes of biological activity exhibited by nematicides, such as fluopyram and abamectin, depending on the application type – preventative or curative. These insights have significant implications for optimizing nematicide application strategies to maximize crop protection and minimize environmental impact.