Detection of Latent Potato Late Blight by Hyperspectral Imaging

Phytophthora infestans causes late-blight in potatoes. Without control P. infestans causes severe damage to the foliage and tubers, leading to yield loss. A way to suppress the disease without chemical control would be to remove the primary inoculumm sources originating from infected seed tubers or oospores in the soil. These latently diseased plants, if detected before symptom expression and sporulation, could be removed. To do so early detection is required. A pot-experiment to detect latent late blight using hyperspectral imaging was conducted. Several inoculation rates and both spray inoculation and point inoculation were used. The spectral signature of the soon to die tissue was learned which enabled early detection of latent potato late blight, well before it was detectable by a trained human eye.