PomaFresh Helps Growers Spot Diseases Within The Leaf

Glenn Vaagen, February 16, 2022, Pacific Northwest Ag Network

In the ongoing battle against diseases, potato growers are looking for any advantage they can to improve yields. Alan Schulman, inventor of Poma Fresh said they offer growers that advantage. Poma, a software that can be used via a cellphone, tablet, or drone, looks beyond just the surface of plant for diseases. Schulman noted that diseases cause reflection with the inner layers of a leaf, and Poma’s sensitivity to those small changes allows a grower to treat diseases much earlier than in the past.

“A leaf is not just a painted surface.  You’re looking at many layers and different ways the light responds to the different layers is what’s critical here.  And that’s why we’re getting these results.”

Schulman said Poma results are immediate, so plants can be efficiently removed. He adds a study conducted in Othello, WA demonstrated a 97.5% accuracy in a sample of 39 plants when compared to state inspector mosaic results.

“We are more sensitive than the human eye.  The camera sees ranges of light that the human eye doesn’t; but the camera does.  And that’s a big part of why we’re seeing things that human eyes don’t.”

Shulman added they are also looking for investors interested in supporting their new technology. To learn more about investment opportunities, or Poma Fresh in general.