EIP-Spinn - digital solutions for precision management of two-spotted spider mite in greenhouse vegetables

EIP-SPINN develops precision control of the two-spotted spider mite in greenhouse tomatoes and, to some extent, also in cucumber using digital solutions. The spider mite problem has worsened, especially in tomato, in the absence of fast-acting chemical pesticides. Biological control lacks information on threshold levels that cause yield losses, as well as methods for systematic monitoring of spider mites within the crop.

Two sub-innovations form the core of the project’s results. Sub-innovation 1 is a camera-, IoT-, and AI-based prototype of a quantitative monitoring method for detecting spider mite damage symptoms on leaves under varying light and seasonal conditions. Sub-innovation 2 is a method for efficiently detecting spider mite occurrences within the crop with the help of greenhouse workers. Precision control based on innovations 1 and 2 is complemented by the development of threshold values that determine the timing of control measures. The commercialization potential of the quantitative monitoring method will be evaluated in the project.

The two-year EIP-SPINN project will be carried out in collaboration with Österbottens Svenska Producentförbund (ÖSP) and the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) between April 2025 and March 2027. ÖSP is the project owner and coordinator, while Luke is responsible for the scientific planning and management of the project. ÖSP will procure expertise in the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence through a tendering process to develop sub-innovation 2. The project includes an innovation group whose composition ensures that greenhouse companies and local advisors can continuously guide the project through feedback and evaluate how well the innovations fit into company workflows.