Innovative plant patch uses AI to detect disease and drought

A high-tech patch promises to protect garden plants and crops from disease and other threats.

American researchers have developed an electronic device that can be applied to leaves to monitor crops for different pathogens – such as viral and fungal infections – as well as stresses such as drought.

They say that, in testing, the patch was able to detect a viral infection in tomato plants more than a week before growers would be able to detect any visible symptoms of disease.

Dr. Qingshan Wei, of North Carolina State University, said: “This is important because the earlier growers can identify plant diseases or fungal infections, the better able they will be to limit the spread of the disease and preserve their crop."

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