Application of a Low-Cost Electronic Nose for the Detection of Forest Tree Pathogens

Abstract

Several techniques can be used for the detection and analysis of odors. Among them, electronic noses emerged as a rapid and non-invasive diagnostic tool with various applications ranging from the food industry to medical diagnosis or forestry and agriculture. The concept of an electronic nose consists of using an array of nonspecific gas sensors equipped with machine learning pattern recognition algorithms. A few devices based on MOX (metal-oxide) commercially available sensors (Figaro Inc., Osaka, Japan) have been constructed in our laboratory. The operation of developed devices consisted of measuring sensors’ conductivity, carried out as a response to changing operation conditions by moving sensors from clean air to the vicinity of the sample where volatile organic components are present. Additionally, the sensors’ operation in various working temperatures was exploited. Our goal was to develop an inexpensive and effective tool for the early detection of tree diseases caused by pathogenic oomycetes such as fungi. The devices were tested, both on pure cultures of cultivated organisms, and in interaction with infected plants. Distinguishing between the pathogenic oomycetes Phytophthora plurivora and Pythium intermedium, and the fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani, by detecting the odors of their volatile secondary metabolites has been reported. Information about which pathogen we are dealing with in forest nurseries allows us to design an appropriate plant protection strategy (e.g., selecting appropriate pesticides). Experiments aiming to detect the fungal infection of tree seeds during storage were also performed on English oak (Quercus robur) acorns and silver fir (Abies alba) seeds. Additionally, studies of ash (Fraxinus excelsior) dieback caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus pathogenic fungi using a PEN3 electronic nose device (portable electronic nose, Airsense Analytics GmbH, Schwerin, Germany) were performed by measuring infected roots and soil.