Early detection of fusarium root rot in maize using plant electrical signaling
Vivent Biosignals' PhytlSigns platform uses AI-powered electrophysiology to detect Fusarium Root Rot in maize before visible symptoms appear. By monitoring plant electrical signals, the technology enables early diagnosis and more effective crop protection, supporting higher yields for growers.
Overview
This solution leverages plant electrophysiology to detect Fusarium Root Rot in maize before visible symptoms appear. Plants use electrical signaling networks to coordinate defence and development, and measuring these electrical potentials can reveal disease presence well in advance of traditional visual scouting. By providing growers with an early diagnostic tool, the technology supports more timely and effective crop protection decisions, ultimately helping to increase yields and reduce losses from root rot infections.
Technical specifications
- Core platform: PhytlSigns, an AI-powered biosignal monitoring system that interprets plant electrophysiology in real time
- Detection method: Surface and root electrical potential measurements combined with signal processing and supervised machine learning
- Validation track record: Previously validated for detecting spider mite infestation in commercial tomato production environments
- Stress detection capabilities: Demonstrated effectiveness across biotic stressors (insects, nematodes) and abiotic stressors (drought, flooding, nutrient deficits)
- Day/night analysis: Separate datasets for daylight and nighttime signal recording to improve classification accuracy
- Application focus: Early detection of Fusarium Root Rot in maize through comparative analysis of infected versus control plant groups
Technology readiness level
The underlying PhytlSigns platform has been validated in commercial greenhouse environments for detecting pest-related stress in tomato crops. Current work focuses on extending the technology to Fusarium Root Rot detection in maize through controlled laboratory experiments comparing infected and control plant groups over a five-week growing period, with two to three replicates planned. Visual infestation evaluations will be correlated with electrophysiological traces to develop and refine the early detection mechanism for maize root rot.
About Vivent SA
Vivent SA, operating as Vivent Biosignals, is a Swiss-based deep tech company that provides AI-powered plant biosignal monitoring. The company developed a platform that interprets plant electrophysiology in real-time, allowing users to detect stress, disease, nutrient imbalances, and drought well before visual symptoms appear. By tapping into plant signaling networks, the technology delivers actionable insights that enable more precise management of crops. Vivent operates internationally with a focus on sustainable agricultural practices and is a certified B Corporation.
The company serves a diverse range of customers, including greenhouse operators, indoor farms, and perennial crop growers, as well as partners involved in crop treatment, biostimulant development, and plant breeding. By enabling 24/7 monitoring of crop health, Vivent’s solutions help clients optimize resource use, increase yields, and reduce environmental impact. Headquartered in Gland, Switzerland, and founded in 2012, Vivent has secured multiple rounds of venture capital funding to scale its global operations and further advance its digital crop diagnostic capabilities.
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