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Optical sensing for agriculture
Smartization of agriculture by optical technology
Modern agriculture faces a variety of challenges, including a shortage of labor and successors due to the aging workforce, poor harvests caused by abnormal weather, and environmental pollution from excessive fertilization.
To address these various challenges, smart agriculture is being promoted by integrating ICT and AI technologies to achieve sustainable farming and enhance human health.
Example of smart farming: managing cultivation by measuring crops
Our initiatives
Hamamatsu Photonics is developing and studying technologies that use light to measure data on agricultural crops.
By using optical technology to capture information about plants, such as their internal water and nutrient levels and growth rhythms, we can understand their current state and needs. This allows us to apply the right fertilizers and materials, enhancing the value of the crops while also promoting environmentally friendly agriculture.
Our spectroscopic techniques, which operate in the infrared region, enable us to measure and estimate a wide range of plant information.
Measurement cases
Moisture content measuring
Differences in moisture content in crops can be quantified by analyzing changes in the spectrum. This system can measure lipids, chlorophyll, and other components by changing the light source which is used to irradiate the object during measurement.
Principle: Changes in the spectrum due to differences in moisture content
Measurement of the amount of specific ingredients
It is possible to measure the content of specific ingredients in agricultural products. It leads to the cultivation management and quality assurance of crops with specific ingredient compositions to meet diversifying consumer needs, in addition to regular crops.
Measurement image
Estimation of Nitric Ion Concentration in Komatsuna
Product used in this measurement
●Simple discrimination of states
Using spectral and imaging information makes it easier to detect subtle differences and abnormalities in crops. This enables simple and inexpensive inspection of agricultural crops and cultivation management.
Absorption spectra of wheat flour, rice flour and buckwheat flour
Measurement image
Differentiation of wheat flour, rice flour, and buckwheat flour using spectral analysis
Product used in this measurement
Case 2: Hyperspectral imaging (determining plant status)
Measurement image
Differentiate between plants in good condition (left) and plants with water deficit (right)
Practical cases
●Quality control of fruits(low potassium melons) by non-destructive measurement.
During the harvest and shipment of fruits and vegetables, conducting quality inspections on all produce places a significant burden on farmers. Therefore, there is a need for methods that allow for simple inspections without damaging the produce.
We are conducting non-destructive measurements using light in collaboration with external farmers as a potential solution to the challenges of conventional methods.
A white light source, a spectrometer (Mini-spectrometer micro-series), and an optical system are built into the tip of the measurement device. The component quantities in the vegetables and fruits are measured by irradiating them with white light and analyzing the reflected light. It also has the advantage of preventing the spread of pathogens through equipment contact, as it allows for non-contact measurement of various shapes such as vines, stems, and fruits.
Because these spectrometers and light sources are small and inexpensive, and can be incorporated in a simple configuration, they are expected to be used in agricultural sites as mobile measurement devices.
Measurement image
Cooperation: Happy Quality Co. Ltd. (Shizuoka pref.)
Measurement of potassium concentration in melons
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