August 11, 2014, Malaysia 

At the international Smart Farming Workshop XI ATB-scientist Prof. Dr. Manuela Zude-Sasse presented as a keynote speaker at the University Putra Malaysia (UPM) innovative technical solutions for a resource-efficient production. 

The approximately 120 participants, scientists as well as numerous representatives from industry and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, discussed current production problems in the oil palm plantations and concepts for an improved resource efficiency. Manuela Zude presented new approaches based on crown measurements with LiDAR and automated sensors to detect the fruit ripening stage. 

In the context of the long-lasting cooperation with the UPM currently a student, jointly supervised by Beuth Hochschule Berlin and ATB, works at the UPM in Malaysia. As part of his practice studies in specialized fruit production he is studying fruit ripeness detection multi-spectral sensors. 

UPM and ATB will strengthen their research cooperation in the field of characterization of physiological fruit development stages in stone fruits and its automatable detection. This topic has been identified as a common research topic. A common ISHS Symposium is planned for 2016 in Kuala Lumpur. The thematic focus of the conference will be on physiological and phytosanitary issues. 

The ATB has maintained for years an intensive cooperation with the UPM. This provides the framework for collaborative research projects such as the project "Biochar in agriculture -  perspectives for Germany and Malaysia" funded by the Leibniz Association within the framework of the Pact for Innovation.