Two new sensors were launched by METOS UK at this year’s British Potato event this week; a blue, potato-shaped sensor for in-store monitoring of potato crops and an app that estimates potential crop yields.
Inside the blue tuber-shaped SolAntenna are sensors to measure and track temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels in-store. The data collected by the sensors enables growers to assess storage conditions and take action to prevent in-store rots.
METOS also introduced the SolGrader at BP2021. This is an app that estimates crop size and yield from a photo taken in the field. With some data inputted to the app, and a photo of a sample of the crop taken on a special blue mat with a red square, SolGrader will calculate the estimated tuber size distribution, overall crop weight, yield and value. SolGrader allows growers to estimate yield in the field, and assess likely yield by field, variety, and management factors. It will also help growers to identify poorly performing areas of fields.
