Flying cameras can spot lethal disease sweeping through world's olive groves
by Damian Carrington Environment editor from Science | The Guardian on (#3SZ9M)
Fast-spreading Xylella fastidiosa is devastating species from citrus to oak trees, but can now be detected from the air
A devastating and fast-spreading infection killing olive trees and grapevines around the world can now be detected from the air, long before symptoms are visible to the human eye.
The new technique offers hope in the battle against one of the world's most dangerous plant pathogens, which can infect some 350 different species, including citrus and almond trees, as well as oaks, elms and sycamores. Special "hyperspectral" cameras provide an early warning system by detecting subtle changes in leaf colour.
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