What can artificial intelligence approaches bring to an improved and efficient harvesting and postharvest handling of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.)? A review

Abstract

Date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is known for its diversity in terms of genotypes that differ in shape, color, texture, taste, and other physical and sensory attributes, in addition to biochemical compounds. This richness generates complex, long, and tedious work at the scale of farm as well as in handling, processing, and storage facilities to prepare standardized, and homogenous final products that deal with consumer preferences and needs. To alleviate this, an increased importance and particular trend were observed recently for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques and computer vision technology since they are considered as accurate, objective, non-destructive, fast, and efficient emerging technologies. In this context, this manuscript provides comprehensive insights into key applications of AI techniques and computer vision technology, using different classification models and algorithms developed on the basis (for example) of neural network classifiers, such as convolutional and artificial neural network, on harvest and postharvest assessment of date fruit. Thus, the importance of date fruit dataset used in the AI domain was discussed with link to all accessible datasets in the field of date palm. In addition, available and relevant AI tools and approaches applied to the postharvest of date fruit from maturity distinguishing until storage through other key handling operations, sorting, grading, etc., were detailed in the five sections of this paper. In terms of conclusion, this review showed that these smart technologies can play a substantial role and offer new opportunities to improve the whole value chain of date palm sector.