January 2020 - 26

2020 INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATES
Late blight was targeted in the
initial proof-of-concept testing runs
for the technology. The tests also
showed the reader could differentiate
between late blight and early blight.
Detecting disease from chemical
New technology allows
for late blight testing
using smartphone
Technology developed by North
Carolina State University researchers
could allow farmers to cost-effectively
test for plant diseases - such as late
blight - right in the field using only
a smartphone and a small plug-in
device.
The technology works by using a
smartphone plug-in reader to test for
certain chemical profiles that a plant's
leaves emit when it is diseased. A leaf
is placed in a small jar and covered.
After about 15 minutes, the jar is
uncovered and one end of the reader
is placed inside with the leaf and the
other is attached to the phone.
Inside the reader is a piece of
paper that has been treated with
nanoparticle sensors and dyes to turn
a certain color to show the disease
is present and another color for a
negative test.
emissions from leaves isn't new, but
the way the NC State group is doing it
is. One of researchers, Qingshan Wei,
a biomolecular engineer, said the key
advancement is nanoparticle sensory.
" Using nanoparticles, you can easily
tune the surface chemistry, " Wei
said, " so you can really design a BOC
sensor that can be used to detect the
target molecule you want to detect. "
The prototype sensor, which was
created using a 3-D printer, had a
production cost of about $60. The
disposable strips of treated paper only
cost a few cents, which potentially
makes the system cost-affordable for
commercialization.
Don't expect the product in stores
anytime soon, however. Wei said
more testing is planned, including
in the field under real conditions.
Researchers also want to test beyond
fungal diseases.
" Late blight is more like funguslike
pathogen, " Wei said. " We want
test to see if we can use similar
technology for (other infections).
More frequently, plant infections
are virus-based and we also (want
to know) whether it can be used to
detect a bacterial infection. "
The group also hopes to set up some
demonstrations over the next year,
and they'll seek possible investing
partners during that time, Wei said.
" We're hoping within two to three
years we can have a real product
prototype, " Wei said.
Minnesota seed org
hires Paschke as
promotions director
Potato industry veteran Perry
Paschke has been hired by the
Minnesota Certified Seed Potato
Growers Association to serve as
promotions director.
Paschke's career started as a teenager
under renowned seed grower Earl
Mallinger. Paschke went on to serve
as a potato inspector for 30 years the
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
before retiring in 2016. He also played
a key role in postharvest grow-outs in
Florida and Hawaii.
Paschke's was praised for his extensive
" institutional knowledge " of the
Minnesota certified seed industry by
association president Randy Schmidt.
" Minnesota certified seed potato
growers have been supplying highquality
seed distributed throughout
North America for over 100 years, "
Schmidt said via a press release.
" In 2019, growers certified over 75
different varieties. "
26
Spudman.com
http://www.Spudman.com
January 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2020
