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Evaluation of an algorithm for automatic detection of broad-leaved weeds in spring cereals

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Abstract

Lack of automatic weed detection tools has hampered the adoption of site-specific weed control in cereals. An initial object-oriented algorithm for the automatic detection of broad-leaved weeds in cereals developed by SINTEF ICT (Oslo, Norway) was evaluated. The algorithm (“WeedFinder”) estimates total density and cover of broad-leaved weed seedlings in cereal fields from near-ground red–green–blue images. The ability of “WeedFinder” to predict ‘spray’/‘no spray’ decisions according to a previously suggested spray decision model for spring cereals was tested with images from two wheat fields sown with the normal row spacing of the region, 0.125 m. Applying the decision model as a simple look-up table, “WeedFinder” gave correct spray decisions in 65–85% of the test images. With discriminant analysis, corresponding mean rates were 84–90%. Future versions of “WeedFinder” must be more accurate and accommodate weed species recognition.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the Norwegian Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research (BIOFORSK). We thank M. Helgheim, BIOFORSK, for help with the true values of weed density in part of the evaluation dataset. The authors also thank S. Clausen, T. Kirkhus and K. Kaspersen, SINTEF ICT (Oslo, Norway), for support with the programs “WeedFinder” and “Ground Truth”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Health and Plant Protection Division, BIOFORSK – Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Høgskoleveien 7, 1432, Ås, Norway

    T. W. Berge

  2. Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway

    T. W. Berge & H. Fykse

  3. Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway

    A. H. Aastveit

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  1. T. W. Berge
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  2. A. H. Aastveit
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  3. H. Fykse
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Correspondence to T. W. Berge.

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Berge, T.W., Aastveit, A.H. & Fykse, H. Evaluation of an algorithm for automatic detection of broad-leaved weeds in spring cereals. Precision Agric 9, 391–405 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-008-9083-z

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