Cookies Policy
The website need some cookies and similar means to function. If you permit us, we will use those means to collect data on your visits for aggregated statistics to improve our service. Find out More
Accept Reject
  • Menu
Interest
Topics
Details

Details

  • Name

    Rui Costa Martins
  • Role

    Senior Researcher
  • Since

    15th November 2016
016
Publications

2025

Metabolic mapping for precision grape maturation: Application of a tomography-like method for site-specific management

Authors
Tosin, R; Rodrigues, L; Santos-Campos, M; Gonçalves, I; Barbosa, C; Santos, F; Martins, R; Cunha, M;

Publication
SMART AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY

Abstract
This study demonstrates the application of a tomography-like (TL) method to monitor grape maturation dynamics over two growing seasons (2021-2022) in the Douro Wine Region. Using a Vis-NIR point-of-measurement sensor, which employs visible and near-infrared light to penetrate grape tissues non-destructively and provide spectral data to predict internal composition, this approach captures non-destructive measurements of key physicochemical properties, including soluble solids content (SSC), weight-to-volume ratio, chlorophyll and anthocyanin levels across internal grape tissues-skin, pulp, and seeds-over six post-veraison stages. The collected data were used to generate detailed metabolic maps of maturation, integrating topographical factors such as altitude and NDVI-based (normalised difference vegetation index) vigour assessments, which revealed significant (p < 0.05) variations in SSC, chlorophyll, and anthocyanin levels across vineyard zones. The metabolic maps generated from the TL method enable high-throughput data to reveal the impact of environmental variability on grape maturation across distinct vineyard areas. Predictive models using random forest (RF) and self-learning artificial intelligence (SL-AI) algorithms showed RF's robustness, achieving stable predictions with R-2 >= 0.86 and MAPE <= 33.83 %. To illustrate the TL method's practical value, three hypothetical decision models were developed for targeted winemaking objectives based on SSC, chlorophyll in the pulp, and anthocyanin in the skin and seeds. These models underscore the TL method's ability to support site-specific management (SSM) by providing actionable agricultural practices (e.g. harvest) into vineyard management, guiding winemakers to implement tailored interventions based on metabolic profiles rather than only cultivar characteristics. This precision viticulture (PV) approach enhances wine quality and production efficiency by aligning vineyard practices with specific wine quality goals.

2024

Precision Fertilization: A critical review analysis on sensing technologies for nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium quantification

Authors
Silva, FM; Queiros, C; Pereira, M; Pinho, T; Barroso, T; Magalhaes, S; Boaventura, J; Santos, F; Cunha, M; Martins, RC;

Publication
COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS IN AGRICULTURE

Abstract
Fertilization is paramount for agriculture productivity and food security. Plant nutrition pre-established recipes and nutrient uptake are rarely managed by changing the fertilizer composition at the different stages of the plant life cycle. Herein we perform a literature review analysis - since the year 2000 and onwards - of the state-of-the-art capabilities of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium (NPK) sensors for liquid fertilizers ( e.g. , hydroponics). From the initial search hits of 1660 results, only 53 publications had relevant information for this topic; from these, only 9 had NPK quantitative information. Qualitative analysis was performed by determining the number of publications for each nutrient, according to sample complexity and existing single, multiplexed or hybrid technologies. Quantitative assessment was performed by extracting the bias and linearity, the limit of detection and concentration ranges of sensor operation, framed into the context of the sensor technology development stage and sample compositional complexity. The most common technologies are colorimetry, ionselective electrodes, optrodes, chemosensors, and optical spectroscopy. The most abundant technologies are for nitrate quantification, from which ion-selective electrodes are the most widely used technology, and sensors for phosphate quantification are the less developed. Most are at low technological levels of development, not dealing with the complexity of agriculture samples due to matrix effects and interference. Measuring the fertilizer composition, nutrient uptake, the state of the chemical network, and controlling the release of nutrients using new functional materials, is one of the most important challenges ahead for the existence of precision fertilization. Intelligent sensing and smart materials are today the most successful strategy for dealing with matrix effects and interferences, being led by ion-selective electrodes and spectroscopy technologies.

2024

Towards On-Site Dairy Cow Mastitis Diagnosis in Your Pocket

Authors
Costa, A; Pereira, A; Pinho, L; Gregório, H; Santos, F; Moura, P; Marcos, R; Martins, RC;

Publication
The 4th International Electronic Conference on Biosensors

Abstract

2024

Integrating Spectral Sensing and Systems Biology for Precision Viticulture: Effects of Shade Nets on Grapevine Leaves

Authors
Tosin, R; Portis, I; Rodrigues, L; Gonçalves, I; Barbosa, C; Teixeira, J; Mendes, RJ; Santos, F; Santos, C; Martins, R; Cunha, M;

Publication
HORTICULTURAE

Abstract
This study investigates how grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) respond to shading induced by artificial nets, focusing on physiological and metabolic changes. Through a multidisciplinary approach, grapevines' adaptations to shading are presented via biochemical analyses and hyperspectral data that are then combined with systems biology techniques. In the study, conducted in a 'Moscatel Galego Branco' vineyard in Portugal's Douro Wine Region during post-veraison, shading was applied and predawn leaf water potential (Psi pd) was then measured to assess water stress. Biochemical analyses and hyperspectral data were integrated to explore adaptations to shading, revealing higher chlorophyll levels (chlorophyll a-b 117.39% higher) and increased Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels in unshaded vines (52.10% higher). Using a self-learning artificial intelligence algorithm (SL-AI), simulations highlighted ROS's role in stress response and accurately predicted chlorophyll a (R2: 0.92, MAPE: 24.39%), chlorophyll b (R2: 0.96, MAPE: 17.61%), and ROS levels (R2: 0.76, MAPE: 52.17%). In silico simulations employing flux balance analysis (FBA) elucidated distinct metabolic phenotypes between shaded and unshaded vines across cellular compartments. Integrating these findings provides a systems biology approach for understanding grapevine responses to environmental stressors. The leveraging of advanced omics technologies and precise metabolic models holds immense potential for untangling grapevine metabolism and optimizing viticultural practices for enhanced productivity and quality.

2024

Spectral data augmentation for leaf nutrient uptake quantification

Authors
Martins, RC; Queirós, C; Silva, FM; Santos, F; Barroso, TG; Tosin, R; Cunha, M; Leao, M; Damásio, M; Martins, P; Silvestre, J;

Publication
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Abstract
Data scarcity is a hurdle for physiology-based precision agriculture. Measuring nutrient uptake by visible-near infrared spectroscopy implies collecting spectral and compositional data from low-throughput, such as inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. This paper introduces data augmentation in spectroscopy by hybridisation for expanding real-world data into synthetic datasets statistically representative of the real data, allowing the quantification of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B). Partial least squares (PLS), local partial least squares (LocPLS), and self-learning artificial intelligence (SLAI) were used to determine the capacity to expand the knowledge base. PLS using only real-world data (RWD) cannot quantify some nutrients (N and Cu in grapevine leaves and K, Ca, Mg, S, and Cu in apple tree leaves). The synthetic dataset of the study allowed predicting real-world leaf composition of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) (Pearson coefficient correlation (R) 0.61-0.94 and standard error (SE) 0.04-0.05%) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B) (R 0.66-0.91 and SE 0.88-3.98 ppm) in grapevine leaves using LocPLS and SLAI. The synthetic dataset loses significance if the real-world counterpart has low representativity, resulting in poor quantifications of macronutrients (R 0.51-0.72 and SE 0.02-0.13%) and micronutrients (R 0.53-0.76 and SE 8.89-37.89 ppm), and not allowing S quantification (R = 0.37, SE = 0.01) in apple tree leaves. Representative real-world sampling makes data augmentation in spectroscopy very efficient in expanding the knowledge base and nutrient quantifications.