Interferometric detection and quantification system and methods of use in agriculture

1. A method of detecting and quantifying the level of analyte in an agricultural test sample, the method comprising the steps of:

collecting an agricultural test sample containing one or more analytes;

introducing the agricultural target sample to a portable interferometric system;

initiating waveguide interferometry on the agricultural test sample; and

processing any data resulting from the waveguide interferometry,

wherein the interferometric system comprises:

an optical assembly unit, the optical assembly unit comprising a light unit and a detector unit each adapted to fit within a portable housing unit; and

a cartridge system adapted to be inserted in the housing unit and removed after one or more uses, the cartridge system comprising:

an interferometric chip including one or more waveguide channels having a sensing layer thereon, the sensing layer adapted to selectively bind or otherwise be selectively disturbed by one or more analytes within the agricultural test sample; and

a flow cell wafer; and

a cartridge housing enclosing the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer; and

an alignment means for aligning the cartridge system within a cartridge recess in the optical assembly unit upon insertion thereby providing optical and microfluidic alignment of the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of wirelessly transmitting analyte detection and quantification data to a mobile device or server.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying data related to the presence of analyte in the agricultural test sample on a display unit of the interferometric system.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the agricultural target sample is collected from a chemical tank, chemical vessel, agricultural spray tank, soil, water, or air within or surrounding an agricultural environment.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the agricultural target sample is collected from a surface water source.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the agricultural target sample is in the form of, dissolved in, or suspended in a liquid or a gas.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data resulting from the waveguide interferometry is provided at or under 30 minutes after initiating waveguide interferometry on the aquatic test sample.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge housing comprises a vent port for allowing air to exit and prevent bubble formation.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensing layer includes one or more antigens, antibodies, aptamers, DNA microarrays, polypeptides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, or molecularly imprinted polymers, or immunoglobulins suitable for binding one or more analytes within an agricultural test sample.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more analytes includes one or more antibodies, virus antigens, virus proteins, bacteria, fungi, pathogen, RNA, chemical, mRNA or any combination thereof.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more analytes includes a fungicide, herbicide, plant growth regulator, insecticide, fungus, bacterium, or microbe.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more analytes includes benzene, toluene, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), vinyl chloride (VC), or gasoline.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of initiating a cleaning or remedial countermeasure against any one or more analytes detected.

14. The method of claim 1 , the interferometric system having an analyte detection limit down to about 1.0 picogram/L.

15. The method of claim 1 , the interferometric system having an analyte detection limit down to about 1000 pfu/ml.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detector has sensitivity to at least 2 pixels per diffraction line pair.

17. The method of claim 1 , the interferometric system further comprising a location means adapted to determine the physical location of the interferometric system.