Visual identification of nutrient deficiencies and leaf damage is an important diagnostic tool for fine-tuning management of citrus.
Arnold Schumann, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor, shared how UF/IFAS researchers have used artificial intelligence (AI) to diagnose citrus nutritional deficiencies, diseases and pest damage.
According to Schumann, disease and pest symptoms on leaves may cause chlorotic patterns that can be confused with nutrient deficiency symptoms to the untrained eye. Experts trained in this field spend years building enough experience and confidence to correctly diagnose these issues.
However, growers now have diagnostic information in the palm of their hands. Due to the abundance of new computer technology in the AI realm, scientists have made it possible to package a trained artificial neural network into a standard smartphone app. (Read more about how the app was developed.) The app, optimized for Florida citrus, is currently available on any smartphone, tablet, PC or Mac browser and can automatically recognize different leaf symptoms by video taken with a smartphone camera.
Currently, the app is trained to detect iron, manganese, zinc, nitrogen and magnesium deficiencies. Spider mites, HLB, citrus canker, phytophthora, citrus scab and greasy spot can also be identified. Healthy leaves with no symptoms are also identifiable by the app.
Researchers are now training the system to detect potassium deficiencies, rust mites, Asian citrus psyllids and citrus black spot.
The accuracy of correct identifications was on average 89 percent in tests conducted with the first-generation app. With more data and training, the accuracy was improved to 98.5 percent. According to Schumann, both sides of the leaf can be diagnosed by the app, and some leaf symptoms may be more visible on the lower (abaxial) surfaces of leaves. To get the most accurate diagnostic results, it is recommended to place individual leaves on white paper in a well-lit environment.
Register here to use the Citrus Diagnosis app.
This article was written by Ashley Robinson, multimedia journalist for AgNet Media in Gainesville, Florida.
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