Smart Pest Control: How Missouri S&T Scientists Are Protecting Crops with Automated Technology

Dr. Sajal Das Develops Automated Pest Management System for Rural Farms

ROLLO, Mo. — Dr. Sajal Das, Curators’ Distinguished Professor and Daniel St. Clair Endowed Chair of Computer Science at Missouri University of Science and Technology, is tackling a unique challenge in agriculture: managing crop-damaging insects using technology.

While most computer scientists focus their research on software bugs, Dr. Das is addressing the literal bugs that threaten crop yields. His work recently received a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create an automated pest management system tailored for rural farms.

Addressing Agricultural Pest Problems with Technology

Insects like beetles and aphids can cause major crop losses if not detected and treated promptly. Traditional monitoring methods are costly and time-consuming for farmers. Dr. Das aims to change that with a system that combines sensors, cameras, and internet-connected devices to monitor pest presence efficiently.

The system will use sticky traps equipped with sensors to detect insects. Data from these traps and other sensors placed throughout a farm will be sent via a low-power, long-range radio frequency communication network. Drones will facilitate data transfer over long distances, bypassing the need for high-speed internet, which many rural areas lack.

Real-Time Data Processing and Machine Learning

Farms will be equipped with edge computing devices to process data locally, allowing for real-time analysis and alerts. Machine learning algorithms will analyze the data to give farmers precise, actionable insights on pest activity.

Collected data will also be stored in cloud servers to improve predictive models over time. This approach supports targeted pesticide use, reducing unnecessary chemical applications and promoting precision farming.

Broader Applications Beyond Pest Control

Dr. Vishesh Tanwar, a postdoctoral fellow and co-principal investigator, highlighted the system’s potential beyond insect management. The technology could monitor diseases, soil conditions, weeds, and weather patterns, all of which impact crop yield and quality.

Tanwar envisions deploying the system on more farms after the current three-year grant period. The technology could support a wide range of crops, including those grown in nearby vineyards producing nationally recognized wines.

Collaborative Effort and Industry Partnerships

The project involves collaboration with experts like Dr. Ian Kaplan, professor of entomology at Purdue University, and Dr. Jeffrey Stein, science lead at Bayer’s Plant Biotech Phenotyping Center. Microsoft is also a partner, providing digital agriculture tools integrated into the system.

This multi-institutional effort combines expertise in computer science, entomology, and biotechnology to address agricultural challenges with practical, technology-driven solutions.