Proposal of a system based on direct and indirect techniques and their correlation by chlorophyll quantification

The prediction of normalized vegetation indices in coffee crops using multispectral images obtained by aerial mapping aims to generate a technological strategy using aerial mapping employing drones (RPAS) to predict normalized vegetation index (ENDVI) in coffee crops. During the research process, reference is made to the ENDVI according to the multispectral footprints generated by the different nutrients on the plants in the production stage of the coffee crop, using RPAS for the realization of aerial mapping works in precision agriculture. This reflects the importance of implementing technological tools to improve the planning of agricultural activities, predict damage and decide in situations that affect the development of coffee crops. This study took multispectral images of coffee crops from aerial mapping in the coffee plantations of the Popayan plateau region. It will also analyze the health status of the plants using a chlorophyll meter. From this comparative analysis of the different ENDVI, it is possible to define management alternatives to improve production. However, the images will be captured with unique cameras incorporated in the RPAS, allowing the identification of the variations of the lots and coffee plants in the formative stage of their phenological development, the absorption of nutrients, and the water stress of the crop. Finally, some strategies for integrating expert systems in aerial mapping are proposed.Facultad de Informátic

Acaricidal activity of the organic extracts of thirteen South African plants against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus (Acari: Ixodidae)

The African blue tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, is a common tick species found in South Africa and affects cattle production as well as vectoring pathogens in regions of Africa and Asia. In an attempt to develop a non-toxic, lower cost and environmentally friendly tick control method, twenty-six plant extracts were prepared from thirteen plant species using 99.5% acetone and 99% ethanol. The adapted Shaw Larval Immersion Test (SLIT) was used to test the efficacy of the extracts. A 1% solution of each of the plant extracts was prepared for efficacy testing and the ethanol extracts were found to have better acaricidal activity than the acetone extracts. The ethanol extract from the leaves and flowers of Calpurnia aurea had the best activity [Corrected Mortality (CM) = 82.9%] which was followed by the stem extract of Cissus quadrangularis (CM = 80.4%). The plant species were screened against Vero cells and were found to have low toxicity. From this study it is apparent that there is potential for the development of botanicals as natural acaricides against R. (B.) decoloratus.Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) of South Africa.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/vetpar2017-07-31hb2016Paraclinical Science