Introduction

The invention refers to the estimation of the amount of dust potentially released by seeds treated with pesticides or micro-organisms (dust-off).  The device overcomes the limits of the standard procedure currently used for the measurement of the release of powders from treated seeds, known as gravimetric method.

Technical features

The invention refers to the estimation of the amount of dust potentially released by seeds treated with pesticides or micro-organisms (dust-off). The analysis is done using portable optical systems or stereomicroscopes that could be inserted in smartphones. It is based on a simple colorimetric and visual approach, assuming that the treated seeds are colored, by law. In addition, for agricultural operators and the seeds supply chain, the invention can be a useful tool to assess the environmental impact caused by the seeds and to monitor the health effects on actors exposed to powders (both human and animal).

Possible Applications

• Agriculture and agrochemistry;
• Phito-farmaceuticals companies;
• Seed industry;
• Environmental Risk Management.

Advantages

• Easy-to-use and affordable device;
• No risk of inhalation for seed industry workers;
• Indirect contribution to the fight against the bee-die-off.