Mashhad - Iranian researchers have achieved up to 99% accuracy in detecting wheat yellow rust using aerial imaging and advanced image-processing technologies, according to the Khorasan Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Center.

 

Lead researcher Mohammad Hossein Saeedi-Rad said the project combined both laboratory and field experiments, demonstrating the high potential of aerial imaging in identifying the fungal disease that threatens wheat yields worldwide.

 

“In the greenhouse phase, wheat plants were artificially infected and imaged using both RGB and spectral cameras. Results showed that RGB imaging provided the most reliable detection,” he explained.

 

The aerial system is capable of surveying one hectare of farmland in just 10-15 minutes while pinpointing the exact location of infected areas. This precision enables targeted pesticide spraying, minimizing chemical use, lowering costs, and speeding up disease control.

 

Saeedi-Rad added that the system can detect early leaf discoloration at stages invisible to the naked eye, with an infection-assessment accuracy of around 98%.

 

According to the research team, integrating such technologies into precision agriculture not only improves disease management but also enhances yields, reduces production costs, and supports environmental sustainability.

 

The project was carried out in collaboration with the Agricultural Engineering Research Institute, the Khorasan Razavi Agricultural Research Center, and the Khuzestan Agricultural Research Center. Findings were presented and published at the Agricultural Machinery Mechanics Conference at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2024.