The James Hutton Institute, ENDURE’s Scottish partner, has introduced a web-based version of its Buntata application. The application, originally only a free Android app, makes it possible to identify potato pests and diseases in the field.
Since its launch last year, Buntata has become the Institute’s most popular Android application and the introduction of a web-based version means it can now be accessed using any device running a recent version of a web browser.
The application also features in the launch issue of the recently published Global Potato News. “Buntata has been designed to help users identify plant pests and diseases with no a priori knowledge,” software developer Sebastian Raubach told the publication. “Buntata provides a visual key for the identification of diseases by displaying exemplar images of symptoms and offers solutions to aid identification of the causes. Buntata has been designed to help users identify plant pests and diseases with no a priori knowledge.”
Using Buntata (the Gaelic word for potato), users visually select the part of the plant affected and the application then displays images of recorded symptoms for matching diseases. Selecting the image most closely matching the symptoms provides users with information on possible causes, diagnostics and control methods.
“Diseases can exhibit similar symptoms,” Sebastian told the magazine. “Differentiating between say powdery and common scab requires experience. Buntata displays diseases with similar symptoms together, allowing easy comparison to help users identify the correct one.”
The application is a joint development from the Institute’s Information and Computational Sciences (ICS) and Cell and Molecular Sciences (CMS) groups.
ICS group leader Rupert Hough commented: “We are delighted with Buntata’s growing popularity. It is an excellent example of our group’s ability to develop really creative and useful apps, suited to the practical requirements of scientists, industry, farmers and growers.”
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Last update: 24/05/2023 - ENDURE © 2009 - Contact ENDURE - Disclaimer