growers AI to help cut global waste

RED SPIDER mites can devastate vegetable plants, as this image shows, but help is at hand thanks to artificial intelligence.

- Jaymi McCann

It could be used to instantly detect when they are being eaten by insects to better target and also reduce the use of pesticides. It is hoped this would increase crop yields, reduce the costs to growers and in turn consumers, while also protecting soil quality and rivers.

Research funded by the Government is set to be trialled when growing tomatoes.