In the world of agriculture technology, where data is used to optimize every aspect of the growing process, one area has been overlooked for far too long—the plants themselves. While soil, air, humidity, and temperature have been meticulously measured and analyzed, the actual plants have been left out of the equation. But one UK agtech startup is changing that.
Gardin, founded by Sumanta Talukdar, is revolutionizing plant health monitoring with its proprietary sensing platform. Talukdar, a seasoned tech professional, realized the glaring gap in data collection when it came to the vital element of crop growth. “Decisions were being made without actual product-based metrics,” he explains. Determined to fill this void, Talukdar set out to help Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) growers measure the health and well-being of their plants at scale.
The heart of Gardin’s platform lies in its remote Chlorophyll Fluorescence (ChF) sensor. This patented sensor is linked to the cloud, allowing it to collect real-time data on the crop’s conditions. The sensor can measure various aspects of plant health, including stress levels, weeks before they can be observed by growers or cameras. By providing this information in real-time, Gardin empowers growers to optimize their strategies and prevent crop losses.
The beauty of Gardin’s technology lies not only in its accuracy but also in its ease of use. The sensor can be set up in seconds and operates autonomously. It can take measurements from up to 3 meters away, covering the entire canopy, and capture hundreds of measurements per hour. Furthermore, the sensor can be mounted on a mobile platform, allowing for efficient scanning of entire greenhouses with just one device.
Gardin’s platform goes beyond data collection; it synthesizes the raw data through signal processing and machine learning models in the cloud. The result is actionable insights and easily understandable data for growers and breeders. With this information, growers can make informed decisions about optimizing various environmental controls, lighting strategies, and CO2 assimilation, leading to improved results and energy savings.
By assembling a multidisciplinary team of experts in plant science, physics, computer vision, and more, Gardin has created a powerful remote phenotyping platform. The team’s expertise ensures that the platform delivers accurate and reliable data to CEA growers across the globe.
FAQ
How does Gardin platform improve plant health?
Gardin’s platform utilizes a patented Chlorophyll Fluorescence (ChF) sensor that collects real-time data on plant conditions, including stress levels. By providing this information to growers in real-time, Gardin helps optimize strategies and prevent crop losses.
What makes Gardin’s technology unique?
Gardin’s technology stands out for its ease of use and scalability. The sensor can be set up within seconds, operates autonomously, and can take measurements from up to 3 meters away. It can also be mounted on mobile platforms, allowing for efficient scanning of entire greenhouses.
What kind of data and insights does Gardin provide?
Gardin’s platform converts raw data into actionable insights through signal processing and machine learning models. Growers and breeders receive easily understandable data on plant health, enabling them to make informed decisions about environmental controls, lighting strategies, and CO2 assimilation.
How does Gardin’s platform benefit growers?
By detecting stressed plants weeks before they are visible to growers or cameras, Gardin’s technology helps optimize results and prevent crop losses. It also enables growers to iterate and test strategies in real-time, leading to faster improvements and shorter growth cycles. Additionally, Gardin’s platform helps lighting providers optimize their systems, resulting in lower energy use for growers.
(Source: gardin.co.uk)