Innovative collaboration: Students from Teelt & Technologie and Vivent Biosignals bring the future of cucumber cultivation
In the dynamic world of modern horticulture, staying at the forefront of technology and sustainability is essential. Teelt & Technologie from the Zone College in Zwolle, The Nederlands, has joined forces with Vivent Biosignals to launch a trial that revolutionizes cucumber cultivation through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
Plants are more than just stationary organisms; they constantly sense changes in their environment and respond accordingly. With Vivent Biosignals’ biosensors, these small electrical signals emitted by plants can be recorded. Machine learning and AI then enable the interpretation of these signals, which can be visualized in graphs. Why is this a significant development? It allows us to gain insights into how plants respond to their surroundings. By linking this data to machine learning and AI, we can not only monitor plant health but also make predictions about their needs.
Early diagnosis of plant threats and environmental changes
A crucial step in this project is the early detection of threats such as fungal infections, pests, and nutrient deficiencies. Thanks to this technology, potential threats can be identified up to 10 days earlier than with the human eye. This paves the way for a sustainable future in horticulture.
The Cucumber Trial
Carl Rentes from Vivent Biosignals shared his expertise during a masterclass at the Teelt & Technologie in the Netherlands. This inspired students and faculty to establish a trial using AI to detect water stress in cucumbers. By closely monitoring the plants’ signals through a live dashboard, we can precisely determine when the cucumber plants need water. Scientists Alja and Fleur collaborated with students to set up the trial.
The trial involves two groups of cucumbers: one group receives water based on AI-driven signals, while the other group is watered using traditional methods. The goal? To investigate which method leads to better growth and production and whether water savings can be achieved.
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