Series: Biogenic Value Creation

Can you tell how well a plant copes with drought stress just by its external appearance? Yes! At the Technology Center Phenotyping of Fraunhofer IIS in Merkendorf, researchers from the Development Center for X-ray Technology combine innovative camera systems with X-ray technology. This helps the seed producer Strube make its sugar beets fit for the challenges of climate change.

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Fraunhofer IIS is conducting research to detect Citrus Greening Disease in citrus plants at an early stage to prevent its spread: To this end, the Development Center for X-ray Technology division employs cutting-edge 3D scanning technologies for plant phenotyping.

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A “digital twin” is a precise representation of a physical object. It allows certain situations and influences to be simulated, evaluated and controlled – in ways impossible in reality. How does this work? What information can be gained from it? What might a future look like in which this technology is in widespread use? Read the answers to these questions and more in an interview with Dr. Fabian Keil, Group Manager Optical Phenotyping at the Development Center X-ray Technology EZRT.

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The field of agriculture is currently facing major challenges—persistent droughts, a shrinkage in arable land, novel diseases and pests, and a continuously growing population—all of which urgently require more intelligent solutions. Field robots represent one such solution. These robots are capable of performing high-precision work, such as identifying and removing diseased plants or weeds, harvesting crops, or carrying out targeted irrigation and fertilization, among other activities. Sensors, software, and actuator technology, combined with artificial intelligence, offer one approach to handling this diverse set of tasks. Oliver Scholz, Deputy Head of the Contactless Test and Measuring Systems Department, spends his time at the Fraunhofer Development Center for X-ray Technology EZRT developing systems that can be flexibly adjusted to varying specifications. The product is a modular system that offers custom solutions for any application.

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"Right now, it can take 10 to 15 years for a new variety to come onto the market. We just don't have that kind of time anymore." Dr. Stefan Gerth is head of department at the Development Center for X-ray Technology, and he is convinced that smart farming can guide agriculture toward a sustainable future. 

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