Non-invasive acoustic sensing of tuberous roots of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) growing belowground

Abstract

The study applies acoustic means for the detection of belowground tuberous roots of sweet potato by developing a novel non-invasive sensing technology based on propagation of frequency-modulated sound through the soil and its detection with acoustic band-pass filtering devices. The presence of tuberous roots hidden in the bed of sandy soil was successfully detected with the proposed acoustic approach, which is still primitive. However, this investigation may induce further studies and developments for belowground sensing and imaging techniques as novel ecological research tools and to support the introduction of vegetables into so-called "plant factories".