Farmers in Greece have been implementing cutting-edge tools for early detection of pests and pathogens, such as an AI-powered smartphone application, a hand-held pathogen detection device, and in-field molecular tests. These techniques give precise, fast and accessible diagnostics directly from the field to the farmer, so that farmers can take efficient, sustainable steps to protect their crops and reduce the application of chemical products. The tools are being developed as part of a pest and pathogen management toolkit, which is being compiled by the Horizon project NextGenBioPest.

Foteini Konstantouraki, a vineyard owner in Crete, tested the smartphone application to monitor her vineyard for symptoms associated with Botrytis infections. Traditional ways of identifying pests and diseases are often slow and costly, which can delay critical interventions on the crop. With the app, farmers can take photos of their crops using their smartphones, and these images are uploaded to an online server where advanced AI algorithms analyse them instantly.

Foteini explains, “I get a notification from the app if any signs of infection are detected. It has been really useful and practical, I’ve been able to identify early signs of infection so that I could assess plant health and the actions I needed to take.” The application, still in its prototype phase, currently targets two major fungal diseases in grape and tomato crops, but will be expanded to others, such as peppers, apples and citrus fruits, targeting additional pests and pathogens. It will be free to download and is expected to be available at the beginning of 2026.

Another new technology has been applied by farmers in the region, which identifies major agricultural pests such as aphids, thrips, whiteflies, mites and psyllids: lyopellets. These pellets are molecular diagnostic tests and can be run through a small portable real-time PCR machine, which also detects insecticide resistance markers. The results guide farmers in the application of targeted pest-control treatments and avoid unnecessary spraying. Originally developed for mosquito monitoring, the partners of NextGenBioPest have adapted it for agricultural pests.

Farmers growing tomatoes and vines have also been testing a small, portable device for in-field analysis of plant samples. The device can analyse a leaf sample and show on a smartphone or tablet whether a plant is infected. The system has been designed for easy use in the field, and the process takes less than 30 minutes. It offers farmers a rapid, low-cost and user-friendly way for early virus detection, helping them act before damage spreads.

The solutions are rapid and cost-effective. They can be used directly in the field without the need for expensive laboratory equipment or specific technical expertise.

The techniques are still being tested, but once finalised, the aim is to promote them in other countries through the NextGenBioPest toolkit.

Project information

NextGenBioPest aims to deliver novel and improved products, methods, and practices for the rational control of the most difficult-to-manage arthropod pests and pathogens, with substantially reduced pesticide use.