Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and deep learning techniques have been widely applied to predict postharvest quality and shelf life in multiple horticultural crops such as vegetables, mushrooms, and fruits; however, few studies show the application of these techniques to evaluate the quality issues of cut flowers. Therefore, in this study, we developed a non-contact and rapid detection technique for the emergence of gray mold disease (GMD) and the potential longevity of cut roses using deep learning techniques based on HSI data. METHODS: Cut flowers of two rose cultivars ('All For Love' and 'White Beauty') underwent either dry transport (thus impaired cut flower hydration), ethylene exposure, or Botrytis cinerea inoculation, in order to identify the characteristic light wavelengths that are closely correlated with plant physiological states based on HSI. The flower bud of cut roses was selected for HSI measurement and the development of a vase life prediction model utilizing YOLOv5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The HSI results revealed that spectral reflectance between 470 to 680 nm was strongly correlated with gray mold disease (GMD), whereas those between 700 to 900 nm were strongly correlated with flower wilting or vase life. To develop a YOLOv5 prediction model that can be used to anticipate flower longevity, the vase life of cut roses was classed into two categories as over 5 d (+5D) and under 5 d (-5D), based on scoring a grading standard on the flower quality. A total of 3000 images from HSI were forwarded to the YOLOv5 model for training and prediction of GMD and vase life of cut flowers. Validation of the prediction model using independent data confirmed its high predictive accuracy in evaluating the vase life of both 'All For Love' (r(2) = 0.86) and 'White Beauty' (r(2) = 0.83) cut flowers. The YOLOv5 model also accurately detected and classified GMD in the cut rose flowers based on the image data. Our results demonstrate that the combination of HSI and deep learning is a reliable method for detecting early GMD infection and evaluating the longevity of cut roses.