LED-Induced fluorescence and image analysis to detect stink bug damage in cotton bolls

Adnan Mustafic,Erin E Roberts,Mark A Haidekker,Michael D Toews

doi:10.1186/1754-1611-7-5

Abstract

BackgroundStink bugs represent a major agricultural pest complex attacking more than 200 wild and cultivated plants, including cotton in the southeastern US. Stink bug feeding on developing cotton bolls will cause boll abortion or lint staining and thus reduced yield and lint value. Current methods for stink bug detection involve manual harvesting and cracking open of a sizable number of immature cotton bolls for visual inspection. This process is cumbersome, time consuming, and requires a moderate level of experience to obtain accurate estimates. To improve detection of stink bug feeding, we present here a method based on fluorescent imaging and subsequent image analyses to determine the likelihood of stink bug damage in cotton bolls.ResultsDamage to different structures of cotton bolls including lint and carpal wall can be observed under blue LED-induced fluorescence. Generally speaking, damaged regions fluoresce green, whereas non-damaged regions with chlorophyll fluoresce red. However, similar fluorescence emission is also observable on cotton bolls that have not been fed upon by stink bugs. Criteria based on fluorescent intensity and the size of the fluorescent spot allow to differentiate between true positives (fluorescent regions associated with stink bug feeding) and false positives (fluorescent regions due to other causes). We found a detection rates with two combined criteria of 87% for true-positive marks and of 8% for false-positive marks.ConclusionsThe imaging technique presented herein gives rise to a possible detection apparatus where a cotton boll is imaged in the field and images processed by software. The unique fluorescent signature left by stink bugs can be used to determine with high probability if a cotton boll has been punctured by a stink bug. We believe this technique, when integrated in a suitable device, could be used for more accurate detection in the field and allow for more optimized application of pest control.

Highlights

Stink bugs represent a major agricultural pest complex attacking more than 200 wild and cultivated plants, including cotton in the southeastern US
We propose an image analysis technique that builds on previous research by Xia et al [18]: the presence of different fluorescence emission was reported, depending on whether the cotton boll was damaged by stink bugs or not
The purpose of this study was to provide proof-ofprinciple that LED-induced fluorescence combined with image analysis can provide an indicator whether a cotton boll has been fed on by stink bugs or not

Summary

Introduction

Stink bugs represent a major agricultural pest complex attacking more than 200 wild and cultivated plants, including cotton in the southeastern US. Current methods for stink bug detection involve manual harvesting and cracking open of a sizable number of immature cotton bolls for visual inspection. This process is cumbersome, time consuming, and requires a moderate level of experience to obtain accurate estimates. The southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is one example of a stink bug that feeds on and thereby damages plants This species is thought to originate from Ethiopia, but is found in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Both nymphs and adults are capable of feeding and damaging crops, and

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