University of Georgia Research Foundation Inc

Phytosynthetix LLC

Mark Andreas Haidekker

Erico Rolim Mattos

Ivan Kruglak

Jinjun Xia

Michael D Toews

Richard Speir

A phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer having an excitation light source capable of emitting a pulse of light that will induce fluorescence in an external object. A photo detector for detecting the pulse and a circuit to synchronize a pulse of light from the excitation light source with a pulse of light from an external light source.

Phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer

The present disclosure encompasses embodiments of X-ray computed tomography-based methods for the detection of onion quality factors. Such methods are advantageous in detecting internal damage to onion bulbs due to bacterial and fungal rots and mechanical damage while also providing for the overall assessment of onion bulb quality and market value. Because CT images provide cross-sectional reconstructions of the subject under study, CT scans of onion bulbs can be used not only to detect damage from disease, but also cuts and bruises that increase an onion bulb's susceptibility to disease, and the presence of shoots or seed stems and overall shape of the bulbs.

Computerized tomography detection of microbial damage of plant tissues

Lesions caused by insects feeding on plants are associated with the generation of regions of blue-green fluorescence in such as the cotton boll carpel wall and in the lint region. The present disclosure now provides methods and devices to rapidly and non-invasively detect and measure the insect-related fluorescence and relate the fluorescence generated to the likelihood of insect damage in a crop. In particular, the methods are related to stink bug damage in the cotton plant, but are also suitable for the detection of insect-related damage of any plant. The methods of detecting insect-induced damage in a target plant tissue may comprise exposing a target plant or a fragment thereof, to an ultraviolet or violet light; and detecting an ultraviolet light-induced fluorescence from the target plant or the fragment thereof, thereby indicating the presence of insect-related plant damage. Further provided are devices configured for the identification of insect-induced damage in a plant or a fragment thereof, comprising: a source of an ultraviolet or violet light, at least one light detector; an electronic system for converting an output electrical signal to a measurement of the intensity of fluorescent light detected by the detector; and an output system to convert the measurement of the intensity of the fluorescent light to an indicator for indicating that a target plant or fragment thereof has insect-induced damage.

Growing community of inventors

Athens, GA, United States of America

Mark Andreas Haidekker