Application of Electric Fields as a Method for Plant Disease Forecasting

The splattering of raindrops is a very important factor in the spread of plant diseases from the Septoria group. The spreading mechanism of this disease via spores is observable particularly during short and violent storms. The methods used currently to forecast Septoria infection are based mainly on the climate condition and the calendar measurements, primarily taking into consideration the disease cycles. These measurements, however, do not take into account the most important factor: the splattering of raindrops as a method of transporting spores onto higher parts of the plants. If this factor is ignored, the forecasting models are flawed and have little correlation with the real development of a disease epidemic. The method presented in this study uses an electric field to measure the range of dispersal and number of splatter particles. This is achieved by means of a measuring system that allows for accurate and reliable measurement of the dispersal range of splashed raindrops. These raindrops scatter the spores and transmit the infection to higher parts of the plants as well as to neighboring plants.