MULTIFUSE – Advanced Multimodal Sensing and Data Fusion for Early Digital Detection of Plant Stress Symptoms
Funding Agency: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)
Funding Period: 01.08.2025 – 31.07.2028
Other participating institutions: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (Japan); Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Italy); Universitat de Girona (Spain); CNRS (France); Hungarian Research Network Institute for Computer Science and Control (Hungary)
Climate change poses major challenges for agriculture. Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently, and plant-pathogen interactions are constantly evolving. To enable sustainable precision farming under these conditions, new sensor technologies are required that can detect plant stress responses at an early stage and differentiate between various causal factors.
The joint project MULTIFUSE integrates expertise in plant sciences, optical sensing, and data processing to develop a comprehensive multisensor system. Techniques include Raman spectroscopy, multichannel fluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT), polarimetry, and hyperspectral imaging (HSI). The resulting data will be fused in a collaborative processing platform and used to create an assessment model of plant status.
The LUH subproject focuses on combining reflectance data (HSI), photosynthetic performance (chlorophyll fluorescence), and 3D morphology (OCT). The aim is to significantly improve predictive accuracy compared to monomodal approaches. In addition, changes in these parameters under defined stress conditions will be correlated with underlying biological processes, thereby enhancing the understanding of plant stress responses. This will enable differentiated, practice-oriented stress detection and provide new opportunities for climate-resilient crop production.
LaserRoots – Laser-induced Rooting Stimulation of Cuttings
This project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of Lower Saxony.
LUH Subproject: “SteBeLa – Control and Evaluation of Laser-induced Rooting Stimulation of Cuttings”
Funding Period: 01.08.2025 – 31.07.2028
Other participating institutions: Hochschule Osnabrück; Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V.; Institut für Pflanzengenetik (LUH)
Vegetative propagation via cuttings is a key technique in horticulture, agriculture, forestry, and species conservation. The formation of adventitious roots is essential but influenced by genetic, physiological, and environmental factors. In woody plants, rooting efficiency is often very low, leading to propagation losses of more than 50%. Initial studies show that targeted tissue removal by laser treatment significantly improves root formation in rose cuttings. This suggests a promising strategy for more efficient and resource-saving propagation of climate-resilient woody species.
The LaserRoots project aims to investigate laser-induced rooting in detail, develop the method into a technically robust and routine procedure, and evaluate its applicability across different plant species. The approach is contact-free, reduces contamination risks, conserves resources, and opens up possibilities for automation in plant production.
The LUH subproject SteBeLa focuses on a detailed assessment of laser-induced effects in cuttings. Physiological responses and transcriptomic changes will be analyzed to identify optimization potential. In addition, optical coherence tomography will be tested as an imaging method to monitor ablation depth in real time and enable precise process control. Through this integrated approach, the project contributes to establishing sustainable and innovative propagation methods for future-oriented plant production.
DHYNAMite – Integrated crop protection through drone-based hyperspectral identification of spider mite infestations and targeted application of beneficial insects in open field cultivation of cucumber
Funding Agency: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)
Funding Period: 01.08.2025 – 31.07.2028
Other participating institutions: Katz Biotech AG; HAIP Solutions GmbH; Weber Agrar Robotik GmbH; Abteilung Angewandte Entomologie (LUH)
Spider mites are among the most damaging pests in open-field cucumber cultivation, often causing severe yield losses up to complete crop failure. Current control strategies rely on extensive use of chemical pesticides, which carry ecological risks, promote resistance development, and are increasingly restricted by regulations. This creates an urgent need for sustainable alternatives in crop protection.
The DHYNAMite project introduces an innovative approach by combining modern drone-based sensor technology with biological pest control. Hyperspectral imaging enables automated crop monitoring, allowing precise detection and mapping of infestation hotspots. Based on this data, beneficial insects are released via drones in a targeted and needs-based manner. The effectiveness of these biological measures is then monitored within an integrated process chain.
By merging optical sensing with biological plant protection, DHYNAMite aims to establish a resource-efficient and economically viable alternative to conventional pesticides. The practice-oriented development ensures that results can be directly transferred into market-ready products and services. At the same time, the project contributes to an improved understanding of beneficial insect applications in open-field cultivation and supports the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices.
Investigating microcrack repair mechanisms in apple fruit cuticles using a laser-induced microcrack model
Funding Agency: German Research Foundation (DFG)
Funding Period: 2023 – 2026
Surface quality is a key factor in the market value of fruit. In apples, skin disorders such as russeting can cause major economic losses in commercial production. Microcracks in the cuticle, the polymeric protective layer covering the fruit surface, play a critical role. While the cuticle serves as a barrier against water loss, pathogens, and UV stress, it is subject to high strain during fruit growth and surface expansion.
Excessive elastic strain leads to the formation of microcracks, which increase susceptibility to skin disorders. Repair mechanisms such as wax deposition or periderm formation may limit the damage, although the latter results in russeting. However, an experimental system to study these repair processes in a controlled way has so far been lacking.
This project establishes a laser-based model for the standardized induction of microcracks in apple cuticles. These defined defects can be precisely monitored using optical spectroscopy, microscopy, and mechanical methods. This approach enables, for the first time, systematic analysis and quantification of microcrack repair. The findings will improve the understanding of fruit surface protection and support the development of strategies to maintain high fruit quality in commercial production.
