PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

AI-driven nutritional assessment of seed mixtures enhances sustainable farming practices

AI-driven nutritional assessment of seed mixtures enhances sustainable farming practices
2024-01-18
(Press-News.org)

Cultivating seed mixtures for local pastures is an age-old method to produce cost-effective and balanced animal feed, enhancing agricultural autonomy and environmental friendliness in line with evolving European regulations and organic consumer demands. Despite its benefits, farmers face adoption challenges due to the asynchronous ripening of cereals and legumes and the difficulty in assessing the nutritional value of heterogeneous seeds. Current practices rely on informal, empirical methods, and a proposed solution is to develop a mobile app or online service, similar to Pl@ntNet, for automated nutritional evaluation of seed mixtures, encouraging farmer participation and database enrichment. However, this requires overcoming agricultural and computer vision challenges. Overcoming these, along with optimizing deep neural network models and loss functions, remains a critical research focus to make this sustainable agricultural practice more accessible and efficient.

In November 2023, Plant Phenomics published a research article entitled by “Estimating Compositions and Nutritional Values of Seed Mixes Based on Vision Transformers ”.

This research presents a novel approach using Artificial Intelligence to estimate the nutritional value of harvested seed mixes, aiming to assist farmers in managing crop yields and promoting sustainable cultivation. A dataset of 4,749 images covering 11 seed varieties was created to train two deep learning models: Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Vision Transformers (ViT). The results significantly favored the ViT-based BeiT model, which outperformed the CNN in all metrics, including a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of only 0.0383 and a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.91. Data augmentation techniques and model size variations further refined performance. Although larger models offering some improvements, the base version of BeiT proved most efficient in terms of balance between performance and computational resources. The study also explored loss functions, finding that the classical KLDiv loss outperformed the Sparsemax variant. Detailed analysis by seed type revealed distinct performance across categories, with models generally excelling in recognizing barley, lupine, rye, spelt, and wheat, while facing challenges with vetch and oats. Aggregating predictions from multiple images of the same mix significantly improved robustness and accuracy. The research culminated in the development of "ESTI'METEIL" (https://c4c.inria.fr/carpeso/), an open-access web component that allows users to estimate seed composition and nutritional value from images. This tool demonstrates the practical application and potential of the research for real-world farming scenarios.

In conclusion, the study effectively applied advanced deep learning techniques, particularly the self-supervised BeiT model, to the agricultural challenge of estimating the composition of seed mixtures and their nutritional values. The research not only showed promising results with a high R2 score but also provided a practical tool for farmers, marking a significant step towards more sustainable and informed agricultural practices. Future work will aim to improve data balance and explore synthetic image generation to further improve model performance and practical applicability.

###

References

Authors

Shamprikta  Mehreen1*, Hervé  Goëau2, Pierre  Bonnet2, Sophie  Chau3, Julien  Champ1, and Alexis  Joly1

Affiliations

1Inria,  LIRMM,  University  Montpellier,  CNRS,  Montpellier,  France.  

2CIRAD,  UMR  AMAP,  Montpellier,  Occitanie, France.

3Chambre d’Agriculture - Haute Vienne, Limoges, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.

END


[Attachments] See images for this press release:
AI-driven nutritional assessment of seed mixtures enhances sustainable farming practices

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Revolutionizing plant phenotyping: deep learning and 3D point cloud technology in overcoming reconstruction challenges

Revolutionizing plant phenotyping: deep learning and 3D point cloud technology in overcoming reconstruction challenges
2024-01-18
The 3-dimensional point cloud technology revolutionizes non-invasive measurement of plant phenotypic parameters, offering vital data for agriculture and research. Current research focuses on overcoming the limitations of 2.5D imaging and occlusions. Methods such as structure from motion, multi-view stereo, and advanced active 3D reconstruction techniques are being explored for this purpose. However, issues persist with incomplete data acquisition and the inaccuracy of phenotypic parameter extraction due ...

Revolutionizing grape yield predictions: the rise of semi-supervised berry counting with CDMENet

Revolutionizing grape yield predictions: the rise of semi-supervised berry counting with CDMENet
2024-01-18
To improve grape yield predictions, automated berry counting has emerged as a crucial yet challenging task due to the dense distribution and occlusion of berries. While grape cultivation is a significant global economic activity, traditional manual counting methods are inaccurate and inefficient. Recent research has shifted towards deep learning and computer vision, employing detection and density estimation techniques for more precise counts. However, these methods grapple with the variability of farmland and high occlusion rates, leading to significant counting errors. Additionally, creating high-performance ...

GenoDrawing: pioneering plant phenotyping with autoencoders and SNP markers

GenoDrawing: pioneering plant phenotyping with autoencoders and SNP markers
2024-01-18
Advancements in whole-genome sequencing have revolutionized plant species characterization, providing a wealth of genotypic data for analysis. The combination of genomic selection and neural networks, especially deep learning and autoencoders, has emerged as a promising method for predicting complex traits from this data. Despite the success in applications like plant phenotyping, challenges remain in accurately translating visual information from images into measurable data for genomic studies. In November 2023, Plant ...

USC Office of Research and Innovation names new executive director for USC Stevens Center

2024-01-18
Erin Overstreet has been selected as the new executive director of the USC Stevens Center for Innovation where she will oversee the university’s commercialization of USC-driven intellectual property.   Overstreet’s expertise and experience embody technology transfer and innovation across the academic, educational, and venture capital sectors; such experience is critical for bridging USC research to a broadened, national technology transfer ecosystem, said Ishwar Puri, senior vice president of the Office of Research and Innovation. “The university has the utmost confidence in Dr. Overstreet’s ability to ...

Can topography facilitate the refinement of landscape design methods?

Can topography facilitate the refinement of landscape design methods?
2024-01-18
In the field of Landscape Architecture, Topography aims to study the complex and ongoing changing relationship between humans and the land through continuously updated and iterative tools and media. It maintains a balance between abstract concepts and concrete perceptions, which can both drive the development of science and technology in this field and hold on to openness to artistic expression. Thus, topographical design may be an effective way to help facilitate refining landscape design methods.    The work entitled “Can Topography ...

Mini marsupial goes from sex fests to cannibal feasts

Mini marsupial goes from sex fests to cannibal feasts
2024-01-18
Associate Professor Andrew Baker from QUT School of Biology and Environmental Science said antechinuses are carnivorous marsupials well-known for suicidal sex sessions where all males die after the 1 to 3 week breeding period. “During the breeding season, male and females mate promiscuously in frenzied bouts lasting as long as 14 hours. Certain stress-induced death follows for all males as surging testosterone causes cortisol to flood uncontrolled through the body, reaching pathological levels,” Professor Baker said. “The males drop dead, which provides an opportunity ...

Researchers pump brakes on ‘blue acceleration’ harming oceans

Researchers pump brakes on ‘blue acceleration’ harming oceans
2024-01-18
Protecting the world’s oceans against accelerating damage from human activities could be cheaper and take up less space than previously thought, new research has found. The University of Queensland’s Professor Anthony Richardson collaborated on the study, which looks to halt the rapid decline of marine biodiversity from expanding industrial activities in marine areas beyond national jurisdictions (ABNJ). “This ‘blue acceleration’ as we call it, has seen a greater diversity of stakeholders interested in ABNJs, such as the high seas and the international seabed beyond exclusive economic zones,” ...

Winding down the window, drinking tea and coffee, turning the radio up and singing while driving could be signs of a dangerous snoring condition

Winding down the window, drinking tea and coffee, turning the radio up and singing while driving could be signs of a dangerous snoring condition
2024-01-18
Frequently using more than three strategies to stay alert while driving could be a sign of excessive sleepiness due to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), according to a study published today (Thursday) in ERJ Open Research [1].   People with OSA often snore loudly, their breathing starts and stops during the night, and they may wake up several times. Around one in five people are estimated to have OSA but the majority of sufferers do not realise they have a problem. OSA causes excessive sleepiness and people with untreated OSA are at higher risk of collisions on the road.   Researchers say that asking people ...

Ditches and ponds can be the sources or sinks of non-point source pollution: observations in an upland area in the Jinglinxi catchment, China

Ditches and ponds can be the sources or sinks of non-point source pollution: observations in an upland area in the Jinglinxi catchment, China
2024-01-18
Globally, non-point source pollution is an important source of water quality deterioration in rivers and lakes. A ditch-pond system, consisting of ditches and ponds, is considered to be similar to free-surface wetlands, linking pollution sources to the receiving water bodies. The ditch-pond system includes vegetation, microorganisms and sediment, which can slow down the flow velocity and promote the precipitation of particulate matter carried by running water. At the same time, ditch and pond systems reduces nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, and those of other nutrients entering the downstream water by means of plant absorption, sediment adsorption and microbial degradation, ...

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health: Paediatric care for non-White children is universally worse across the USA; policy reform urgently needed to address disparities

2024-01-18
The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health: Paediatric care for non-White children is universally worse across the USA; policy reform urgently needed to address disparities Two-paper Series identifies pervasive racial inequities in paediatric care in the USA, and outlines policies to address structural racism embedded in wider sectors of society that shape children’s health. A review of recent evidence reveals widespread patterns of inequitable care across paediatric specialties, including neonatal care, emergency medicine, surgery, developmental disabilities, mental ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Hanyang University researchers develop novel facet guided metal plating strategy, improving stability anode-free metal batteries

When cells run a red light: Double trouble for old models in cell division

Epigenetic reprogramming safely modifies multiple genes in T Cells simultaneously for CAR-T therapies

How hard is it to dim the Sun?

Researchers launch survey to unlock the secrets of vivid memory

Exotic roto-crystals

Dr Harriet Kildahl joins PeroCycle as Technical Director

Exercise counteracts junk food's depression-like effects through gut-brain metabolic signaling

Genetic link discovered between childhood intelligence and parental longevity

Psychedelics reshape time perception offering new therapeutic pathways

Genetic inflammation markers reveal distinct depression subtypes affecting treatment response

Understanding how menopause symptoms can complicate treatment of traumatic brain injuries

Digestive issues more common during perimenopause and menopause

Oral or transdermal hormone therapy? The mental health risks are not the same

When women initiate estrogen therapy matters

Risk of eye disease increases during menopause transition

Life in the fast (and slow) lanes for salmon

Early natural menopause linked with higher risk of metabolic syndrome

Earlier menopause and reduced cardiac function can take a toll on brain health

Feeling anxious during menopause? Hormone therapy may or may not help

Likelihood of being prescribed hormone therapy may depend on the type of provider seen

The role of genetics in modifying the link between earlier menopause and memory decline

Who watches the AI watchman?

Female bodybuilders at risk of sudden cardiac death

Garment factories are sweltering. These simple fixes could keep workers safe

‘Slums’ of Victorian Manchester housed wealthy doctors and engineers, new study reveals

Winners of Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2025 announced

Most of Wine Country’s agricultural workers have been exposed to wildfires, new survey finds

Obesity-related cancer rising among both younger and older adults worldwide

A 'Rosetta Stone' for molecular systems

[Press-News.org] AI-driven nutritional assessment of seed mixtures enhances sustainable farming practices