A team of University of Adelaide researchers led by Associate Professor Bertram Ostendorf is a top-five finalist and in the running to win the 2015 Westpac Innovation Challenge for Agribusiness with their idea to use drones to monitor vineyards for signs of disease.
Grapevines are highly susceptible to viruses. Infections result in lower vine productivity and fruit quality, and thus significant economic losses to the grape grower. Early detection of infection is critical to enable control techniques to be employed in order to stop the spread of disease. Current practices involving ground-based detection are costly, and small localised infections often cannot be detected. Airborne monitoring has fantastic potential for quicker, easier and earlier identification that could save the industry millions.
The research team, which also includes Dr Vinay Pagay, Professor Megan Lewis and Associate Professor Lian Pin Koh, propose using drones with special optical equipment to help identify the early stages of grapevine diseases by detecting unique leaf discolouration patterns that are not visible to the human eye.
The Westpac Innovation Challenge offers an opportunity for start-ups and agribusiness entrepreneurs to develop new ideas to revolutionise Australia’s agricultural sector. A $40,000 prize will be awarded to whoever creates the most useful and innovative digital solution for Australian agricultural producers and agribusinesses.
The Challenge is also supported by BlueChilli, and the winner will also receive a six-month placement in their start-up accelerator program, offering potential for further investment opportunities with the company.
An overall winner will be selected by an expert panel of judges following the pitch event on Tuesday 1 September. In addition, each finalist could win the People’s Choice Award, announced at the same event.
So please get behind Bertram and his team by providing your vote in the People’s Choice Award. Voting closes on Tuesday 1 September at 8pm EST.