AI-Powered App in Development to Combat Potato Blight
A team of scientists at Aberystwyth University is pioneering a new artificial intelligence (AI) solution to help protect global potato crops from devastating diseases.
The DeepDetect project, led by researchers at the Welsh university, is working on a mobile phone application that can provide early warnings of potato diseases. By leveraging AI technologies, the tool aims to support farmers and agronomists in identifying issues before they escalate.
Potato crops remain highly vulnerable to pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes. Among these, late blight — caused by Phytophthora infestans — is regarded as one of the most destructive. The disease can devastate entire fields, contributing to an estimated 20% loss in global potato production and inflicting annual economic damages of £3.5 billion.
The initiative reflects growing interest in integrating digital technologies and precision agriculture to improve disease monitoring and secure food supplies in the face of climate change and rising demand.
