Ultra-Precision Agriculture Using Fluorescence Based Label Free Technology for Green Fruit

2021 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21F21397
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: 近藤 直 京都大学, 農学研究科, 教授 (20183353)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): HUANG ZICHEN 京都大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 外国人特別研究員
• Project Period (FY): 2021-11-18 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: green fruits / fluorescence imaging / label-free / disease

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

We initiated a project to develop a label-free method for tracing green peppers which are called "Manganji Amatougarashi". To carry out the required experiments, we collaborated with the Kyoto Prefectural Agriculture, Forest, and Fisheries Technology Center.
In the experiments, we acquired color and fluorescence images of more than 150 green peppers, commenced in November 2021 at Kameoka city. Following data collection, we have processed the gathered data and developed algorithms for implementing the label-free tracing method.
Additionally, experiments to detect diseases and insect pests were performed to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing fluorescence responses.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

The project was carried on based on the schedule we raised before. We prepared for the first paper on the experiment. Currently, we are analyzing accumulated image data.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

From next year, we will 1)build the sound-based positioning system in a greenhouse for realizing cetimeter level accuracy for the robots; 2)establish the lebel-free ultra-precise algorithm for tracing single pepper in a greenhouse; 3) collect the fluorescence characteristics of the pepper disease and pests for testing the possibility of applying fluorescence imaging for early stage detection.