Early detection of Phytophthora root rot in Eucalyptus using hyperspectral reflectance and machine learning

Hendrik J. Esterhuizen, Bernard Slippers, Anna S. Bosman, Jolanda Roux, Wayne Jones, Tanay Bose, Almuth Hammerbacher

Abstract: Highlights•Hyperspectral sensing detects Phytophthora root rot before symptoms appear.•SAN model achieved 97 % accuracy using selected wavelengths from leaf spectra.•Key wavelengths correlated with pigment shifts and moisture stress in leaves.•Machine learning identified spectral markers for early disease detection.•Vegetation indices NDNI and MSI are strongly linked to infection status.