Expert system for identification of diseases in tobacco

Abstract

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a commercial crop in many countries. Tobacco crop has demonstrated its importance in the Indian economy through its contribution to employment generation (directly or indirectly supports 38 million people) as well as annual revenue of Rs.25, 000 crores to the national exchequer through foreign exchange earnings and internal excise taxes. It is grown in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Like any other crop, tobacco also suffers from various diseases. Important diseases affecting the tobacco are Frogeye spot, Brown spot, Black shank, Damping-off, Wilt, Root-knot, Mosaic and Leaf curl diseases. Plant protection involves the correct and timely identification of these diseases and their control. The identification of diseases is the difficult task and often requires consultation with specialists. An accurate and rapid diagnosis can avoid losses by taking appropriate management practices. Scientists have developed various management practices for many diseases of tobacco, detailed digital photographs of symptoms are made available and precautionary measures are established. Based on the information on diseases and their symptoms, an online expert system for disease identification in tobacco has been developed using Agridaksh tool by ICAR-IASRI in collaboration with ICAR-CTRI to provide global accessing of all information on various diseases of tobacco and their symptoms. Under this system, a knowledge model has been created, a knowledge acquisition, ontology based problem identification and a knowledge retrieval system for tobacco disease has been developed. This system is useful to enhance the efficiency of farmers, agricultural extension personnel, development agencies for crop management and to increase the crop yield. It determines the best strategy for disease management, identification and diagnosis.