Design a Computer Vision Approach to Localize, Detect and Count Rice Seedlings Captured by a UAV-Mounted Camera

This study presents a drone-based aerial imaging method for automated rice seedling detection and counting in paddy fields. Utilizing a drone equipped with a high-resolution camera, images are captured 14 days post-sowing at a consistent altitude of six meters, employing autonomous flight for uniform data acquisition. The approach effectively addresses the distinct growth patterns of both single and clustered rice seedlings at this early stage. The methodology follows a two-step process: first, the GoogleNet deep learning network identifies the location and center points of rice plants. Then, the U-Net deep learning network performs classification and counting of individual plants and clusters. This combination of deep learning models achieved a 90% accuracy rate in classifying and counting both single and clustered seedlings. To validate the method’s effectiveness, results were compared against traditional manual counting conducted by agricultural experts. The comparison revealed minimal discrepancies, with a variance of only 2–4 clumps per square meter, confirming the reliability of the proposed method. This automated approach offers significant benefits by providing an efficient, accurate, and scalable solution for monitoring seedling growth. It enables farmers to optimize fertilizer and pesticide application, improve resource allocation, and enhance overall crop management, ultimately contributing to increased agricultural productivity.