Technology

PH-sensitive chromic COF-based sensor powders developed by SMART DiSTAP researchers that exhibit visual colour changes upon early detection of drought stress in plants. (Image source: SMART)

Researchers from the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) have pioneered the world’s first Covalent Organic Framework (COF) sensors that provide an early indication of drought stress in plants

These sensors are integrated within silk fibroin (SF) microneedles that are capable of detecting pH changes in plant xylem tissues. This advanced technology can detect a reduction in acidity in plant xylem tissues, providing early warning of drought stress in plants up to 48 hours before traditional methods.

A number of agricultural challenges – including those posed by climate change, rising costs and lack of land space – continue to escalate and adversely affect crop production and yield, due to which farmers are often unable to implement proactive measures or pre-symptomatic diagnosis for early and timely intervention. This underscores the need for improved sensor integration that can facilitate in-vivo assessments and timely interventions in agricultural practices.

SMART’s breakthrough addresses a long-standing challenge for COF-based sensors, which were - until now - unable to interact with biological tissues. COFs are networks of organic molecules or polymers - which contain carbon atoms bonded to elements like hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen - arranged into consistent, crystal-like structures, which change colour according to different pH levels.

This novel COF-based sensor allows early detection of drought stress in plants through real-time measuring of pH levels in plant xylem tissues, thereby helping farmers optimise crop production and yield amid evolving climate patterns and environmental conditions.

DiSTAP researchers designed and synthesised four COF compounds that showcase tunable acid chromism – colour changes associated with changing pH levels – with SF microneedles coated with a layer of COF film made of these compounds. In turn, the transparency of SF microneedles and COF film allows in-vivo observation and visualisation of pH spatial distributions through changes in the pH-sensitive colours.

In a paper titled, 'Chromatic Covalent Organic Frameworks Enabling In-Vivo Chemical Tomography' recently published in Nature Communications, DiSTAP researchers documented their groundbreaking work, which demonstrated the real-time detection of pH changes in plant tissues. Significantly, this method allows in-vivo 3D mapping of pH levels in plant tissues using only a smartphone camera, offering a minimally invasive approach to exploring previously inaccessible environments compared to slower and more destructive traditional optical methods. 

“SF microneedles are robust and can be designed to remain stable even when interfacing with biological tissues. They are also transparent, which allows multidimensional mapping in a minimally invasive manner," said senior postdoctoral associate at SMART DiSTAP and co-first author, Dr Yangyang Han. "Paired with the COF films, farmers now have a precision tool to monitor plant health in real time and better address challenges like drought and improve crop resilience.” 

With the KDS 255 Muck Control, Fliegl offers a versatile solution that meets the needs of modern farms and sets new standards in terms of performance and efficiency. (Image source: Fliegl)

Leading manufacturer of innovative agricultural technology, Fliegl has announced the launch of its latest chain manure spreader, the KDS 255 Muck Control

This vehicle closes the gap between the large tandem spreaders and the more compact KDS 140 and thus Fliegl now offers the ideal solution for farms of all sizes. The KDS 255 has a permissible total weight of 18, 19 or 20 tons and a stable tandem chassis that ensures excellent driving characteristics and can optionally be equipped with a steering axle. Thanks to its low design, filling with the front loader is particularly easy and efficient. The conical body of the KDS 255 having the dimensions of 1200 mm. 

An outstanding feature of the KDS 255 is the proven wide spreading unit 'Muck Control', which enables a spreading width of up to 26 m. The internal milling drums are cardanically driven and guarantee a consistent loosening of the material and an even distribution to the spreading discs. For individual adaptation to different working conditions, the KDS 255 has a hydraulic tailgate with a mechanically adjustable drop angle. Another special feature is the design of the tailgate which consists of a frame on which plastic panels are mounted. These are less susceptible to damage from stones or rocks and corrosive materials than a steel rear wall.

The robustness of the KDS 255 is also evident in the scraper floor, which is equipped with V2 chain links and has an impressive breaking load of 50 tons per chain strand. The scraper floor bars are continuous across the entire width of the body. A stone guard is mounted on the front wall to protect the tractor unit from falling stones.

For the longer term, logistics operator Transnet has begun implementing the strategic replacement and refurbishment of equipment and machinery at the Port of Cape Town, as well as contracting maintenance and related services and appointing additional staff. There is expected to be improved productivity as a result, but Hortgro is nevertheless preparing for challenges such as downtime on equipment and wind delays, and is contingency planning for alternative modes and nodes of shipping such as the use of specialised reefer vessels and other ports in the Eastern Cape and Durban.

Advanced Navigation and MBDA to co-develop an inertial navigation system. (Image source: Advanced Naviagtion)

World leader in autonomous systems and navigation technologies, Advanced Navigation and MBDA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-develop a resilient navigation system integrating MBDA’s NILEQ absolute positioning technology

The co-developed solution will provide resilient absolute positioning for a multitude of airborne platforms. The agreement will see the companies foster joint research and technology development between the UK and Australia.

NILEQ’s patent-pending technology is underpinned by the use of novel neuromorphic sensors to derive and match terrain fingerprints. Initially inspired by biological change detection processes, the sensing technology captures data of the changing terrain as an airborne system flies across it, and matches it to an existing database of the Earth’s surface. 

The final solution is set to enable systems, such as Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS), to secure an absolute position fix over land with a solution that is passive and resistant to interference. The technology will enhance the safety of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, as the solution overcomes many of the conventional limitations of airborne image-based navigation technologies. Advanced Navigation and MBDA will validate NILEQ in an airborne demonstration planned in Australia.

“We look forward to seeing MBDA’s innovation-driven solutions form the cornerstone of future airborne navigation systems," said MBDA Australia general manager, Tom Tizard. "NILEQ seeks to address the enormous demand for resilient absolute positioning information that will complement the existing navigation systems of airborne platforms. Advanced Navigation are an ideal Australian partner to help accelerate the technology towards market entry. Navigation technologies that are not simply accurate and precise, but also provide the ‘resilience’ against interference, is what propels this partnership.”

The new solutions aim to help growers maximise crop production and optimize their use of resources, thus minimising the impact on the environment. (Image source: Bayer)

Orbia’s Precision Agriculture business Netafim, along with Bayer recently began their expansion, starting with new digital farming solutions for fruit and vegetable growers

The new solutions aim to help growers maximise crop production and optimise their use of resources, thus minimising the impact on the environment. Although the adoption of digital tools has increased in recent years, those currently available in horticulture are not addressing growers' needs holistically. For instance, switching between multiple software applications has proved challenging and the siloed nature of today's solutions is making daily activities more complex.

Therefore, in order to simplify primary data collection and sharing for the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, Bayer, as part of its collaboration has developed a new digital platform called HortiView that enables growers to benefit from an ecosystem of connected agronomic services that support data-driven decisions and market access.

Orbita Netafim has simultaneously developed irrigation insights that will be available through HortView's platform. These irrigation recommendations with be generated to uniquely cater to each grower based on the primary data provided by them in HortiView. Orbia Netafim's all-in-one irrigation operating system called GrowSphere features optimised irrigation, crop protection, and fertigation applications. The collaboration will also expand to include this operating system. These new solutions are already in use by some grower advisors, who are providing feedback to ensure broader availability in the future. 

Ofer Oveed, SVP Technology and Crops at Orbia Precision Agriculture (Netafim) expressed his delight to be collaborating with Bayer on combining their agronomic and technological expertise. "By leading the digital farming revolution together, we can deliver food security through sustainable agriculture,” said Oveed.