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Potential of the electronic‐nose for the diagnosis of bacterial and fungal diseases in fruit trees
Author(s) -
Spinelli F.,
Noferini M.,
Vanneste J. L.,
Costa G.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
eppo bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.327
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1365-2338
pISSN - 0250-8052
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2338.2009.02355.x
Subject(s) - electronic nose , pear , nose , biology , horticulture , materials science , nanotechnology , anatomy
The electronic‐nose instrumentation has advanced rapidly during the past decade, as the need for highly sensitive, fast and accurate analytical measurements have considerably stimulated the interest in developing these sensors as diagnostic tools. Given that the pathogen‐induced plant responses also include changes in emission of volatiles, the electronic‐nose may represent a powerful and operator‐friendly alternative for rapid and reliable screening of asymptomatic plant material. In the present study, the electronic nose EOS 835 (Sacmi, Imola, Italy), based on metal oxide semiconductors, was used. EOS 835 was able to detect asymptomatic apple and pear plants experimentally infected with Erwinia amylovora (fire blight). The electronic nose was also successfully tested for discriminating Botrytis and Sclerotinia rots on both green and yellow kiwifruits. Even if the electronic‐nose can be successfully used in experimental conditions for early diagnosis of both pre‐ and post‐harvest diseases, its practical application in open fields, nurseries and packing houses still requires further studies.