PathoScan’s new technology allows farmers to test plant health on-site and respond faster to threats.
With global crop losses from pests and diseases reaching as high as 40 percent annually, a Saskatchewan-based startup is working to equip farmers with faster, more practical tools to protect their yields.
PathoScan Technologies, founded in Saskatoon, has developed a portable diagnostic device that allows producers to test crops for disease directly in the field, delivering results in under two hours. The innovation addresses a longstanding challenge in agriculture, where traditional diagnostic methods often require samples to be sent to laboratories, delaying results by days or even weeks.
The company was co-founded in 2024 by Ethan Done, chief operating officer, and Tayab Soomro, chief executive officer. Done first conceived the idea while working as a University of Saskatchewan undergraduate student during a government agricultural internship.
“This time lag can mean the difference between farmers losing their crop or having the ability to save their plants by treating them quickly,” said Done. “Our goal is to make farming more efficient, sustainable, and profitable while helping protect Canada’s food supply.”
From Lab Testing to Field-Based Solutions
The device, known as the PathoBox, is built using a molecular testing method called Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification, a form of PCR testing. Traditionally confined to laboratory environments, this method detects pathogen DNA with high accuracy.
Done noted that during his internship, many farmers expressed interest in using testing equipment on-site, rather than waiting for lab results.
“I saw there was a clear gap,” he said. “Producers wanted something that was portable, lightweight, and affordable that could deliver results immediately.”
Roughly the size of a lunchbox and weighing about one kilogram, the PathoBox allows farmers to test up to eight samples simultaneously. Producers prepare samples by combining plant material with a chemical solution, inserting the mixture into the device. If disease-causing pathogens are present, the solution changes colour, providing a clear visual result.
This quick turnaround allows farmers to make immediate decisions about crop treatment, reducing the risk of widespread infection.
Reducing Costs and Improving Precision
Beyond speed, the technology also supports more targeted crop management practices. By identifying disease presence early, producers can limit pesticide applications to affected areas rather than treating entire fields.
This targeted approach can lower input costs, improve environmental sustainability, and preserve crop yield.
In one pilot case conducted on Saskatchewan farms last summer, a producer was able to detect a disease early enough to prevent approximately $240,000 in potential yield losses.
The device was tested through pilot programs supported by Mitacs, a national organization that connects research and industry to accelerate innovation. The partnership has helped PathoScan refine its technology and prepare for broader commercialization.
“Mitacs has played a critical role in allowing us to focus on research and development,” said Done, who is currently pursuing a PhD aligned with the company’s work at the University of Saskatchewan.
Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Accuracy
PathoScan is now developing an artificial intelligence component that will further expand the device’s capabilities. Expected to launch next year, the feature will incorporate vision technology to assess disease severity more precisely.
The upgraded system will generate detailed reports, including treatment recommendations, and deliver them directly to farmers’ smartphones within minutes.
This integration of AI is expected to strengthen decision-making by providing both detection and actionable insights in near real time.
Industry Support and Recognition
The technology is already gaining attention from agronomy professionals. Weston Bohachewski, an agronomist with Shark Ag Consulting in Melfort, Saskatchewan, believes the device could play a major role in improving disease management.
“PathoScan is an exciting tool to help determine whether fungicides are needed,” he said. “It has the potential to bridge a critical gap in disease detection, especially for crops like canola.”
The innovation has also earned national recognition. PathoScan recently secured third place at the Enactus Canada National Exposition in Montreal, a competition focused on student-led entrepreneurial solutions addressing real-world challenges.
Strengthening Farm Resilience
As global food systems face increasing pressure from climate variability, pests, and disease, tools that enable faster, more accurate decision-making are becoming essential.
PathoScan’s portable testing technology represents a step toward more resilient agricultural systems by giving farmers better control over crop health in real time.
By reducing uncertainty and enabling early intervention, innovations like the PathoBox could help protect yields, stabilize food supply, and improve profitability for producers across Canada and beyond.