A Lethbridge Polytechnic researcher has been recognized nationally for his contributions in developing a lower cost, less wasteful crop testing method.
Dr. Chandra Singh, Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) Chair and director of the Advanced Post-harvest Technology Centre in Lethbridge Polytechnic's Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE), was part of a pan-Canadian team of three who received the prestigious John Ogilvie Research Innovation Award. Presented by the Canadian Society for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, the award recognizes innovative research projects by individuals or teams, including student researchers, in agricultural fields.
"I'm honoured to be recognized for my contributions in pioneering this new technology, which represents a meaningful step forward in improving crop export processes," says Singh. "Working alongside colleagues from the University of Guelph and the University of Prince Edward Island, we're excited to see the project transition from research to real-world application."
The project, titled Development of AI-Assisted Imaging and Spectroscopic Techniques for Pulse Quality Assurance Systems, focused on the creation of AI-driven, spectroscopic and optical imaging technology for pulse crop quality assessment. By using spectral imaging tools, which use near-infrared light to examine and identify what's in a sample, instead of traditional physical testing which damages the crop, assessments are more accurate, reliable and non-invasive.
"Congratulations to Dr. Singh on being recognized for his contribution to this advancement that allows growers to test their crops without damaging them," says Shane Strydhorst chair of Alberta Pulse Growers Commission. "His work will benefit pulse farmers in Alberta and beyond."
A type of spectral imaging crop analysis was previously developed at Lethbridge Polytechnic to support research on potato quality.
"RDAR and Alberta Innovates funded this technology for use on potatoes, and the pivot to pulse crops required the development of new prediction models that make the system easily transferrable and cost-effective," says Singh. "These methods are faster, more sustainable and require no chemical reagents or specialized training, making them highly accessible."
Collaboration was key to the success of the project. Former Lethbridge Polytechnic post-doctoral fellow and adjunct research scientist Dr. Senthilkumar Thiruppathi, who is now Assistant Professor and Research Chair at the University of Prince Edward Island, continued working with Singh and other polytechnic researchers, alongside student researchers from the University of Guelph under the supervision of Professor Manickavasagan Annamalai.
The result is a model of effective, multi-institutional research and a new technology with potential for quick adoption by small- and medium-sized enterprises across the pulse supply chain in Canada and abroad.
Lethbridge Polytechnic's Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE) directly engages in applied research projects that tackle real-world challenges with immediate and practical impacts. In partnership with industry, community organizations, researchers and students, CARIE's mandate is to deliver results that solve today's problems and drive tomorrow's innovation.
In recent years, Lethbridge Polytechnic has been named one of Canada's top 50 research colleges, breaking into the top 10 in 2024. CARIE has a total of five research themes, including Agriculture, Food and Environment, Business and Technology, Health and Wellness, Justice and Public Safety, and Science, Social Sciences and Humanities.
To learn more about applied research activities and projects at Lethbridge Polytechnic, visit: lethpolytech.ca/CARIE
