Predicting the risks posed by late frosts in fruit growing and viticulture

The quantity and quality of the harvest in fruit and wine growing are determined early in the year. It is particularly important whether late frosts occur at the end of the winter season, as these can cause considerable damage to the plants.
In the EXPRESS.smart project, IMMS is testing digital and AI-based solutions to predict frost events and the resulting risks to the harvest, as a basis for recommendations for action.

Solution: Integrated frost monitoring

To ensure a responsive reaction, specifically identified local conditions – such as terrain profiles and air currents – are used to supplement general weather forecasts, particularly with regard to expected minimum temperatures. At the same time, sensors determine the stage of development in which the plants are and the current temperature. On this basis, tailored algorithms decide whether protective measures need to be taken and, if so, which ones.

IMMS is responsible for the entire data pipeline, from data collection through to the formulation of recommendations for action.

Innovation: AI-powered data analysis

AI models help to recommend appropriate measures. They analyse the data collected, identify unusual patterns and assess the risks involved. They then suggest suitable countermeasures – such as specific frost protection measures or changes to irrigation strategies. At IMMS, we combine suitable AI algorithms for analysing our sensor data with input from our project partners to provide comprehensive climate and plant monitoring.

Benefits: Knowledge transfer between research and practice

To date, protection and optimisation measures in fruit growing and viticulture have been based primarily on empirical knowledge; they are sometimes unreliable and often require a significant investment of resources. The combination of tailored weather data, automatically determined plant growth stages and AI-supported algorithms makes these tried-and-tested strategies more tangible and accessible to a wider range of practitioners. This means that even smaller farms can benefit from the recommendations and efficiently protect and increase their yields.