ACTIVITIES
Non-destructive quality evaluation of an Italian local variety of Cucumis melo L. (Barattiere)
by Computer Vision System
Barattiere is a local variety of Apulia region and other South Italy areas that belongs to Cucumis melo L. species. It is usually consumed at unripe stage and well appreciated for its pleasant sensory traits. The purpose of this research activity is to validate the use of colour information measured by CVS to obtain a non-destructive quality evaluation of fresh-cut Barattiere melon through the packaging material.
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Assessment of Fresh-cut Apple Quality
by Computer Vision System
Four common varieties of apple (Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Fuji) were processed with the aim to predict their quality through the packaging material by the use of colour information measured non-destructively by CVS.
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Non-Destructive Analysis of Low-Impact Grown Tomatoes
This research focuses on the application of non-destructive technologies to authenticate products obtained with sustainable production techniques. Tomatoes were grown at CNR – ISPA, under greenhouse conditions using both closed-cycle and open-cycle soilless systems. Advanced sensor-based technologies are used to reduce the environmental impact also in open-cycle systems. In this trial, we are acquiring the spectral data of tomatoes using both a spectrophotometer and hyperspectral scanners. In addition, the quality attributes are also being determined using conventional methods and devices, and then correlated with the spectral information. The objective is to non-destructively assess the internal quality of tomatoes and to discriminate them according to the degree of sustainability of cultural practices by building a prediction and a classification model, respectively. The performance of each model is being evaluated.
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Sustainable Cultivation Approaches
for the Improvement of Soilless Tomato Production
in the Mediterranean Environment
In this study, we aimed to apply approaches (closed cycle recirculation; sensor-based nutrient solution supply management) for the sustainable management of a soilless cherry tomato cultivation in a typical Mediterranean environment (irrigation water containing 1 g/L NaCl was used, being this a common problem in coastal Mediterranean areas). Both approaches offered the possibility to reduce the environmental impact of the production process (reduced water/fertilizers usage; less nutrient solution released into the environment) and positively affected tomato quality traits.
Read more HERE
Non-Destructive Discrimination of Rocket Leaves
This research focuses on the application of non-destructive technologies to authenticate products obtained with sustainable production techniques. Rocket leaves were grown soilless and soil-base at CNR - ISPA (WP1), comparing cultural practices with different degree of inputs, in relation to the use of water and fertilizers. In this trial, we are acquiring the spectral data of rocket leaves using both a spectrophotometer and hyperspectral scanners. Spectra are being analyzed in order to study the impact of LIP on spectra variation and to individuate the selected spectral range significantly affected by the agricultural practices. The objective is to non-destructively discriminate rocket leaves according to the degree of sustainability of cultural practices, by building a classification model. The performance of the model is being evaluated.
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Rocket Quality Evaluation by Computer Vision
Rocket leaves coming from different Low Impact Practices (LIP) were stored in open plastic bags at 10 °C while going from quality level (QL) 5 (very good) to QL 1 (very poor). At each QL, a few leaves were acquired with and without packaging by a computer vision system (CVS). The same samples were analyzed also using destructive standard methods. The aim of this experiment was to identify a correspondence between colour features and leaves QL to build a contactless non-destructive system to assess rocket QL even through the packaging.
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Water & Fertilizer Management in Soilless Rocket
This study aimed to test two irrigation scheduling approaches (timer- or sensor-based) and two fertilization levels (high or low, with reference to the standard dosage range recommended for the specific fertilizers used) of open-cycle soilless rocket salad (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) in Mediterranean autumn-winter unheated greenhouse conditions. Yield, quality, water use and substrate parameters trends were evaluated. Sensors improved water and fertilizer use efficiency compared to the timer. Rocket cultivated with the different water and fertilizer management approaches was then used to study the possibility to provide info on produce history and quality through non-destructive techniques (WP2).
Read more HERE
