The best Innovative Idea

Rustam Taov, a research engineer at the Center for decarbonization of the Agroindustrial complex and regional economy of the KBSU, whose project of a device for accounting for greenhouse gases was recognized as the winner in the nomination «Best Innovative Idea» and awarded the first degree diploma of the exhibition of Innovative Projects of Young Scientists-2023, talks about his research.

The essence of the project is that grown plants are placed in a special module, where sensors monitor the amount of carbon dioxide that is formed as a result of the use of agrochemicals or other drugs used in agriculture. Then, based on the data obtained, the level of negative impact on the climate is calculated.

«This model is a monitoring system for the transformation of CO2 in a closed biocycle «soil — plant — atmosphere,» — explains Rustam Taov. – Our module allows us to determine with high accuracy the level of negative impact on the climate of the means of production used in agriculture, such as agrochemicals, biological products, growth stimulants, fertilizers. As an efficiency criterion, the indicator of emission intensity is used — the amount of emission and absorption of greenhouse gases.

The module is equipped with a CO2 sensor, the data from which is transmitted to the controller in the form of graphs, after which the results can be analyzed. The absorption system makes it possible to maintain the CO2 concentration below the level of negative impact on the plants growing in the module.

Based on the data obtained, a crop production technology with minimal impact on the climate is being developed, which makes it possible to obtain a low-carbon product with improved environmental characteristics, that is, products grown using means that cause minimal environmental damage».

According to R. Taov, the relevance of such technologies and the prospect of their implementation is due to the fact that 25% of anthropogenically generated greenhouse gases come from agriculture. Therefore, this area must be protected from such impact, if possible, or at least minimized. This will significantly increase the ability of farmers to produce carbon neutral products.

The module is a closed box, inside which the grown plants are located. In addition to the CO2 sensor, the tank is equipped with a fan to simulate the flow of wind. You can sow any crop in the module, observing changes in emissions and absorption of carbon dioxide.