Syngenta announces tool to map nematodes in soybeans

Syngenta Crop Protection has just announced "the world's first commercial digital solution for diagnosing plant parasitic nematode infestations in soybean crops by analyzing photographs taken from satellites."

Nematodes are microscopic parasites that live in the soil and feed on plant roots. They open pathways for fungal infections. They affect plant health, quality and crop yield. They are estimated to cause annual losses of up to $150 billion worldwide.

The announced tool uses an algorithm to analyze images of crops obtained by satellites. Allows you to identify areas of high nematode infestation and estimate potential losses.

Syngenta informs that it will initially market the service to soybean producers in Brazil. The country accounts for approximately 35% of global grain production.

In Brazil, nematodes cause losses estimated at more than US$5,4 billion per year in soybean crops.

“Harmful nematodes that devastate crops are a major threat to farmers and food security, and Syngenta is using cutting-edge digital solutions to help combat these pests,” said Jeff Rowe, president of Global Crop Protection.

"We are excited about launching this product in Brazil, and there is great potential to scale this solution to other countries and crops and transform producers' decision-making capabilities," he added.

The project resulted from a multi-year collaboration with the Swiss company AgTech Gamaya SA. Syngenta is integrating this advanced digital solution within its own digital technology platform, CROPWISE.

“At Syngenta, we will continue to invest in machine learning and data science to develop more innovative offerings for farmers,” said Feroz Sheikh, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Syngenta Group.

"The technology is a great addition to our CROPWISE platform, which already digitally connects nearly 200 million acres of land, and underscores our commitment to investing and partnering with suppliers in the AgTech space," he added.