Artificial intelligence: solution for efficient phytosanitary management of sugarcane

Artificial intelligence is currently one of the most modern technologies in the world for aerial mapping of weeds and diseases in sugarcane fields. With highly accurate images, it is possible to identify problems down to ground level. This technological innovation is essential to ensure that sugarcane, the third most important crop in the country, reaches even higher levels of productivity and quality.

The implementation of technologies of this type is urgent. After all, sugarcane fields are very susceptible to pests, diseases and weeds: last year, more than US$1,29 billion were invested in fungicides, herbicides and insecticides in the country's sugarcane crops. In total, 70,4 million hectares of sugarcane were treated. The data are from the National Union of the Plant Defense Products Industry (Sindiveg). Among the problems that most concern the crop are viola string, castor bean, mucuna, colonião, brachiaria and orange sugarcane rust.

Combating these pests and diseases that are destructive to sugarcane fields results in sustainability and productivity of the activity. Consequently, it helps maintain affordable prices for biofuels and other products derived from sugarcane, such as sugar. With the evolution of crop mapping projects, which began with sugarcane in 2012, it is now possible to obtain dynamic, agile and accurate analyzes with planes, helicopters or even drones.

The detailing of phytosanitary problems and the management of the information collected, in real time, allow for faster and more assertive decision-making, aiming to rationalize and solve problems through the use of pesticides with economic and environmental sustainability. To help with this, the market currently has technologies capable of generating images with a resolution of 0,3 mm/pixel of fields at leaf level.

With aerial cameras covering 5.000 hectares per day at 200 km/h, tools like FlyUP – launched in 2020 by UPL – become extremely useful and necessary for the success of sugarcane fields. Based on the flight and the crossing of specialized information, the producer can obtain highly accurate reports on the condition of the field, the types and levels of threats, all signed by important researchers, with the most important endorsement: that of science.

Luciano Almeida, marketing supervisor for sugarcane and pasture at UPL Brasil