Summary
Poisonous plants such as datura can contaminate both food and animal feed. The StopDatura project developed strategies to minimise such unwanted contamination in agricultural crops. The focus was on identifying datura in fields using high-resolution drone imagery and automated image analysis techniques, and on developing a rapid test to assess potential contamination of the crop.
Project description
Datura is an agricultural weed that contains toxic tropane alkaloids. Contamination of the crop usually occurs because datura is present in the fields at the time of harvest. As a result, seeds and plant parts are harvested along with the crop and end up in the processing stage. There is therefore an urgent need for action. The StopDatura project was therefore launched to develop strategies for minimising unwanted contamination in agricultural crops.
The project focused on (1) describing and analysing the occurrence and spread of datura in Austrian agriculture, (2) the presentation and application of a method for detecting datura in soya bean fields using high-resolution drone imagery and automated image recognition, and (3) the development of a rapid test to assess contamination of the crop with tropane alkaloids. In addition, (4) a guide containing recommendations on how to deal with datura was drawn up.
Benefits of the project
The StopDatura project shows that datura poses a problem for agriculture that should not be underestimated, and that action is needed. The findings indicate that datura is currently most prevalent in the warm, low-lying areas of eastern Austria, and that its spread to other regions is very likely to continue.
Using high-resolution drone imagery and automated image recognition, infestation maps of agricultural land can be created, which farms can use to implement targeted measures to control datura. The rapid test has been successfully adapted for use on soya beans and buckwheat and enables an assessment of contamination in the harvest. The rapid test can be used as part of incoming goods inspections. In addition, efforts have been made to raise awareness among farms, the professional community and relevant stakeholders.
Project details
Project title: Strategies for preventing the contamination of agricultural crops with Datura stramonium and its alkaloids
Project acronym: StopDatura
Project leaders: AGES, Dr Swen Follak and Dr Elisabeth Reiter
Funding: Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management, and the federal states
Project duration: 2023 to 2026
This project is funded as part of the Ministry’s research programme via dafne.at, with funding from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management. The BMLUK supports applied, problem-oriented and practice-oriented research within the Ministry’s remit.
Last updated: 01.07.2026
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