In the opinion of two Queensland-based agricultural scientists, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly contribute to the agriculture sector’s efforts to address climate change and pest issues. The experts from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation see AI as a viable tool for creating more sustainable and successful plants, with the world population anticipated to exceed 10 billion by 2050.
Following data analysis on two distinct barley diseases, geneticist Lee Hickey of the University of Queensland brought attention to the possibilities of AI. The AI system chose parents that carried genes for both diseases that made them more sensitive, and when those genes were coupled with genes from other parents, the offspring performed better. This finding demonstrated the effectiveness of AI algorithms in quickening the process of plant breeding and development.
The scientists also stressed how AI may accelerate generations by streamlining plant cross-breeding. Breeders can produce four to six generations each year by using “speed breeding” technologies. The Grains Research and Development Corporation and the researchers are currently working together to examine the application of AI in the breeding of disease-resistant wheat and barley.
Professor Ben Hayes, a fellow member of the University of Queensland faculty, outlined four ways that AI can transform the market. Artificial intelligence (AI) can help breeders choose desirable traits based on consumer preferences, analyze large-scale crop images to identify trait indicators, process and analyze enormous amounts of data to make precise predictions about plant varieties, and change breeding methods from individual genetic lines to collections of DNA fragments that contribute to desired traits.
These Queensland experts are enthusiastic about the application of AI in solving the difficulties of a growing global population and assuring sustainable and successful farming methods in the future since it has the ability to dramatically improve agricultural practices.
