A Tool of the Future in the Production of GM Foods
Farmers and agricultural-based companies are getting support in the use of biotechnology and genetically-modified organisms from a unique technology. Satellite technology developed by NASA is being used to help these food producers distinguish between genetically modified (GM) crops and non-GM crops (How to Distinguish GM Crops from Space, Food Navigator USA, 7/5/05), which could ultimately lead to a greater acceptance of biotechnology and genetically-modified foods and products.
This fascinating technology developed by NASA is called hyperspectral imaging. This technology and its applications were developed by the Institute for Technology Development at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Hyperspectral imaging uses a special camera to cut one snapshot into 120 color specific images. Each image shows a unique characteristic not visible to the naked eye.
In recent months, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working with NASA to use this technology to ensure that appropriate management procedures are being used to avoid the development of resistance in corn pest populations, which could severely limit the continued use of these new varieties of corn.
With over 25 million acres of corn planted this year, it is physically and economically impossible for scientists and researchers to sample each corn acre. Hyperspectral imaging has been providing a proactive monitoring system to inform the food producer of the pest resistance development. In their research, the EPA uses a hyperspectral camera mounted onboard a small aircraft. The aircraft typically flies about 8,000 feet above the terrain, taking shots of the same sites every ten days during the growing season. All of the images are then put into a computer system, where data-mining techniques are used to extract knowledge about the corn plants. Early use of this technology has provided farmers and food producers with the ability to efficiently distinguish between genetically modified corn and non-GM corn by their unique characteristics and identify and warn food producers of pest infestation conditions.
This technology offers so much promise to scientists and to food producers focusing on biotechnology and genetically-modified food production. Hyperspectral imaging can be used to provide a food producer with vital information on the health of an acre of crops, information on whether a section of crops needs to be irrigated, or whether a section of crops is being attacked by pests. This technology can also be used to track the status of weeds among growing crops and even test the nutrients in a particular crop’s soil. This application can also help scientists learn about changes in crops in order to improve on the creation of future seeds and technologies.
