Plant-O-Meter
Multispectral device for on-the-spot assessment of plant physiological conditions
Description
Plant-O-Meter is a multispectral precision agriculture device that enables the assessment of the physiological condition of plants. Plant-O-Meter analyzes and evaluates the health of the plant in terms of photosynthesis process, as well as fertilization and irrigation needs. The system features also the Plant-O-Meter™, a mobile app downloadable via Google Play. The app is a free companion software to the Plant-O-Meter™ sensor devices, with the main functionality to gather data from the sensor device(s), synchronize data acquisition sessions and forward CSV data files for further processing.
Technology
Plant-O-Meter is a multispectral proximal sensor, the man features of which are its six optical analysis channels (BLUE, GREEN, RED, RED EDGE, NIR1, NIR2), its Bluetooth for communication with the Plant-O-Meter App, its embedded algorithm for the calculation of over 20 optical vegetation indices, and its two modes (triggered and continuous) that are initiated using Plant-O-Meter App. The sensor has two variants, being supplied with or without an integrated Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. Geopositioning with a sensor without such a receiver is possible either by linking to a smartphone or via a Bluetooth-connected external GNSS device. Plant-O-Meter analyses plants by emitting pulse trains of different wavelengths in sequence, and then transmitting the reflectance measurements to the Cloud for processing and data storage. The sensor works in unison with the Plant-o-Meter Desktop/web-based application suite (1) – the Plant-O-Meter App – which is a free companion software through which the user can configure the sensors, gather data, acquire GPS locations and synchronise data acquisition sessions with the Cloud; (2) the Plant-O-Meter Cloud, a free cloud software, allows the storage, simple manipulation, visualisation and export of data files acquired by the sensor device and app; (3) the AgroSens digital app, which supports farmers and agricultural companies in monitoring the growth of crops and in the planning of agricultural activities, and includes also agronomist advice.
Target
The main users of Plant-O-Meter are farmers, gardeners, farm advisors and other agricultural professionals.
Business model
Plant-O-Meter was developed by BioSense Institute and is currently being commercialized by Bitgear based on the patented Biosense technologies. The Plant-O-Meter App and Cloud are available for free, and while the basic features of the AgroSens app are also free, a payment is made to access such premium services as expert advice. The sensors cost EUR 699 (excluding transport and taxes) for the basic stand-alone model, or EUR 899 for a sensor with an integrated GNSS receiver (January 2023 prices).
Impact
Plant-O-Meter generates maps of available optical vegetation indices, which is valuable data when creating fertilization prescription maps, predicting yield and determining chlorophyll levels in plants, while also highlighting changes in vegetation, among other uses. Bitgear applies the principles of the circular economy by focusing on a modular design, repairability and the intensification of the use of the sensor, making the production of the device more sustainable.
Partners
Biosense Institute; University of Novi Sad; Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of education; province of Vojvodina; MK Group; Delta Agrar; ZeleniHit; Generali; DDOR Osiguranje;EU Horizon 2020
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
