
Scientists to launch mobile app to detect potato blight at early stages
Spearheaded by a research team at Aberystwyth University, the DeepDetect project aims to develop a mobile phone app that uses artificial intelligence to provide early warnings of diseases in potatoes.
Potato crops are highly susceptible to diseases caused by pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes.
Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, can wipe out entire fields, and lead to enormous costs and food shortages. It is responsible for 20% of potato crop losses and €4bn in economic losses worldwide.
Traditionally, disease detection in crops has relied on manual inspection, a method that is time-consuming, expensive, and often subjective.
DeepDetect aims to change that by harnessing the power of machine learning to deliver accurate diagnoses directly to farmers' smartphones.
Dr Edore Akpokodje, a lecturer in computer science at Aberystwyth University, said: 'Our goal is to empower farmers with a tool which is not only scientifically robust but also practical and easy to use, and which delivers instantaneous, location-specific disease forecasts straight to their phones.
"By integrating farmer feedback from the outset, we will ensure that this technology is grounded in real-world needs and challenges.'
The project also aims to reduce the environmental and financial burden of widespread preventive spraying.
Dr Akpokodje added: 'Addressing the challenge of early diagnosis of potato plant disease would boost productivity and reduce costs for farmers, while supporting more sustainable and targeted disease management.
"By decreasing reliance on pesticides, this approach benefits both the environment and the long-term resilience of the potato industry. The technology also has the potential for wider application across other crops, driving innovation in agricultural practices.'
Dr Aiswarya Girija from the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University said:
Potatoes are the fourth most important staple crop globally, and optimal production is essential for a growing global population. Potato blight is therefore not just a farming issue — it's a food security issue.
'As well as threatening the stability of food supplies, potato blight drives up production costs and reliance on environmentally harmful fungicides. The system we plan to develop will be capable of detecting early signs of disease before they become visible to the human eye, allowing for timely and targeted interventions.'
The first stage of the DeepDetect project is a comprehensive feasibility study, including market research to understand the limitations of current early warning systems.
The project team will then create an AI-powered prototype using image datasets of healthy and diseased potato leaves.
Once the prototype has been developed, the team will conduct focus groups and workshops with farmers and agronomists to refine the model and ensure usability.
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Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Scientists to launch mobile app to detect potato blight at early stages
Potato blight, one of the world's most devastating crop diseases, could soon be detected using mobile phones, thanks to a new app being developed by Welsh scientists. Spearheaded by a research team at Aberystwyth University, the DeepDetect project aims to develop a mobile phone app that uses artificial intelligence to provide early warnings of diseases in potatoes. Potato crops are highly susceptible to diseases caused by pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, can wipe out entire fields, and lead to enormous costs and food shortages. It is responsible for 20% of potato crop losses and €4bn in economic losses worldwide. Traditionally, disease detection in crops has relied on manual inspection, a method that is time-consuming, expensive, and often subjective. DeepDetect aims to change that by harnessing the power of machine learning to deliver accurate diagnoses directly to farmers' smartphones. Dr Edore Akpokodje, a lecturer in computer science at Aberystwyth University, said: 'Our goal is to empower farmers with a tool which is not only scientifically robust but also practical and easy to use, and which delivers instantaneous, location-specific disease forecasts straight to their phones. "By integrating farmer feedback from the outset, we will ensure that this technology is grounded in real-world needs and challenges.' The project also aims to reduce the environmental and financial burden of widespread preventive spraying. Dr Akpokodje added: 'Addressing the challenge of early diagnosis of potato plant disease would boost productivity and reduce costs for farmers, while supporting more sustainable and targeted disease management. "By decreasing reliance on pesticides, this approach benefits both the environment and the long-term resilience of the potato industry. The technology also has the potential for wider application across other crops, driving innovation in agricultural practices.' Dr Aiswarya Girija from the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University said: Potatoes are the fourth most important staple crop globally, and optimal production is essential for a growing global population. Potato blight is therefore not just a farming issue — it's a food security issue. 'As well as threatening the stability of food supplies, potato blight drives up production costs and reliance on environmentally harmful fungicides. The system we plan to develop will be capable of detecting early signs of disease before they become visible to the human eye, allowing for timely and targeted interventions.' The first stage of the DeepDetect project is a comprehensive feasibility study, including market research to understand the limitations of current early warning systems. The project team will then create an AI-powered prototype using image datasets of healthy and diseased potato leaves. Once the prototype has been developed, the team will conduct focus groups and workshops with farmers and agronomists to refine the model and ensure usability. Read More The red tape that stalled farm loans — and the road back for Microfinance Ireland


The Irish Sun
12-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Brit, 20, breaks her back after fall from hotel balcony on Greek island… docs say it'll be 2 MONTHS before she can move
A YOUNG Welsh woman is in hospital after falling from a second-floor hotel balcony and breaking her back. The nightmare incident happened on the popular holiday island of Rhodes in Greece. Advertisement 4 She suffered fractured four vertebrae and remains in hospital Credit: GoFundMe 4 Holly had been on holiday with her partner when the accident happened Credit: Gofundme Holly Seaford, 20, had been on She suffered fractured four vertebrae and remains in hospital while she recovers, Wales Online has reported. But doctors have told her partner Tate Crees that Holly may have to wait as long as two months before she can walk again. Tate said: "She is lying flat in a hospital bed in a back brace unable to move or walk. Advertisement read more in world news "Doctors have told us it'll be at least six to eight weeks before she can start to regain mobility. "This is going to be a very difficult process." Holly and Tate had been due to But Holly's sister Briony has said the family can't afford to get her back home by themselves. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive She said: "She's in a lot of pain and is bedbound. "The last I heard they'd given her paracetamol. They can't effectively look after her there." Raging wildfires spread across Greek island holiday hotspot as hotels and homes are 'evacuated' A Tate added: "Medical repatriation is incredibly expensive — especially as the only way Holly can fly home is on a stretcher. Advertisement "Requiring, a specialist medical flight with trained staff to monitor her throughout the journey. "Unfortunately, this is not covered by insurance." 4 Daytime, Anthony Quinn Bay, Kallithea, Rhodes, Greece Credit: Getty 4 Famous tourist attraction – Acropolis of Lindos Credit: Getty Advertisement It comes after a 22-year-old Brit holidaymaker was injured after falling off a boat in Magaluf. He is said to have been drinking on the rented boat before falling and cutting himself. The Brit was taken to Son Espases Hospital in the Majorcan capital Palma. Elsewhere, another in the Netherlands. Advertisement Ben Roberts, 24, suffered a fractured skull when he fell His mother Kerry said: "I can't describe our loss, we are heartbroken. "As Ben's mum, part of me died the day he did." What to do if you're injured on holiday No one sets off on holiday expecting to be injured, but it's vital to be aware of what to do if accidents happen. If you booked a package holiday, then your tour operator or organiser should have measures in place to help you if you fall ill or are injured. But if you book your own travel and accommodation, it's especially vital to have travel insurance in place. Uninsured travellers can end up facing vast medical and repatriation expenses if the worst happens. The most comprehensive travel insurance plans can help cover medical emergencies and sometimes support in returning home if needed. Citizens Advice website says: "It's particularly important to take out travel insurance if you are travelling independently because you may find yourself stranded with no way to get home and no-one to help sort out your holiday problem."


The Irish Sun
19-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Mysterious ‘alien-like' sea creature that can devour prey 3 TIMES its size is found on UK beach
BEACHGOERS are being warned to be on the lookout for a mysterious "alien-like" creature after one was discovered on a UK beach. "Sea mice" are marine worms with a furry appearance that are unlike anything else in the sea and can grow up to six inches long. 1 'Sea mice' are active predators but are often washed ashore A dog walker found one of the strange critters recently on a beach in Wales. They are active predators, hunting small crabs and other worms on the It comes after beachgoers were urged not to pick up cone snails' shells as their venom can cause instant paralysis or even death. While they are not typically harmful to humans, "sea mice", which get their scientific name from Simon Parker recently discovered one of the creatures on a Welsh beach prompting discussion on social media due to its curious appearance. Compared by many to a fossil and even an "alien", the sighting has left many admitting that they had never seen anything quite like it. Simon was left flabbergasted after discovering one of the six-inch long creatures at Pensarn Beach, Conwy, and turned to tech to determine exactly what it was. Uncertain of its identity and intrigued by its green-flashing fringe he used Google Lens to determine it was a sea mouse. Most read in The Sun "I found it at the water's edge just after low tide," he told Wales Online. "Unfortunately it didn't appear to be alive. The sea mouse was approximately five or six inches long with brightly coloured bristles down the sides." Sea mice are not a rare species but their sightings are infrequent, often being washed ashore during stormy weather or left behind by exceptionally low tides. Another of them was located in March on Oxwich beach in Swansea. Mum shares urgent warning for summer beach trips with kids as pal's left in hospital following massive allergic reaction The Wildlife Trusts say the sea mouse is "unlike anything else in the sea". Despite its potential to reach 20cm in length and 6cm in width this intriguing find is in fact a type of Although it has a tendency to bury itself head-first in the sand this creature boasts a remarkable set of skills. Its spines typically have a deep red sheen, serving as a warning to potential predators. However when exposed to light, they flash blue, green, and gold, giving the worm a dazzling, iridescent appearance. This phenomenon, known as pseudo-birefringence, is the only known example of "photonic engineering" in nature, says the WT. The spines process light with nearly 100% efficiency – a necessity in the dimly-lit depths of the sea. Read more on the Irish Sun Some researchers believe that this unique ability could lead to the development of new communication technologies. Beauty and the beast While this creature is technically a marine worm, it is believed that the name "sea mouse" originated from its resemblance to a bedraggled mouse when washed up on shore. Its Latin name, Aphrodita aculeata, is equally peculiar. While aculeata translates to "spiny" the genus name Aphrodita refers to the ancient Greek Goddess of Love – allegedly due to the worm's resemblance to female genitalia. The sea mouse is an active predator that feeds on small crabs and other worms and is capable of consuming prey over three times its own body length. Every now and then they can be seen wriggling across the sand – a sight that invariably unnerves beachgoers.