Multidimensional hyperspectral imaging to determine and quantify plant phenotypes in agri- and horticulture

Increased pressure on agriculture due to (a)biotic stresses, a changing legislation and an adverse view on agrochemicals are incentives for new bio-based strategies to increase crop resilience. The integration of circular economic principles in production chains have led to the valorization of waste streams via plant biostimulants. Finally, local anchoring of production chains has resulted in revisiting crops such as hemp for high quality textile fibers. Anticipating these market changes, we will develop and apply multidimensional spectral imaging to (i) pre-symptomatically visualize (a)biotic stress, (ii) assess plant health and (iii) quantify the impact of biopesticides and biostimulants. In addition, (iv) imaging tools will be developed to monitor retting in hemp for high quality textile fibers. These R&D activities will result in the necessary research tools for our industrial partners in the field of biocontrol, biostimulant or fiber production and for applied academic research.