Aerial visual monitoring of potato globoderosis

The relevance of the problem under study lies in the need for timely detection of potato globoderosis foci in order to localise, eliminate and prevent further spread of the quarantine organism. The main task of the work was to improve the system of nematological monitoring of phytocenoses by combining the latest and traditional diagnostic methods. To detect focal lesions of solanaceous crops by globoderosis, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was tested. The golden potato nematode Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenwebеr, 1923) Behrens remains one of the most dangerous quarantine organisms in Ukraine. The spread of monoculture of solanaceous crops in small households contributes to the mass accumulation of this phytoparasite and an increase in its harmfulness. It has been found that damage to crops not only leads to significant yield losses, but also complicates the sale of products due to the need to comply with quarantine restrictions. The results obtained confirm the need to improve traditional approaches and introduce new approaches to phytonematological monitoring. It has been determined that the optimal time for nematological monitoring of potatoes is the end of June to the first half of July, when visual symptoms of globoderosis appear and female nematodes are found on the roots. Analysis of aerial photographs made it possible to refine survey routes and selectively collect plant samples from affected areas, which significantly reduced costs compared to traditional methods. If it was impossible to monitor during the growing season, the quarantine status of the fields was determined after harvesting by analysing the soil for the presence of nematode cysts. Establishing the spatial distribution, total area of detected foci, and level of potato globoderosis infestation allows for the differentiation and local application of phytosanitary measures, which significantly reduces plant protection costs. It should be noted that the developed methodology for aerial visual inspection of phytocenoses using modern UAVs equipped with high-resolution cameras can also be used to detect foci of damage to agricultural crops by other types of cyst-forming nematodes. The developed methodology for aerial visual monitoring should primarily be used by specialists in phytosanitary inspections for plant quarantine, as well as by specialists in large farms and agricultural holdings