journal article·2025-07-02Open access

Ensemble Learning-Based Weed Detection from a Duck’s Perspective Using an Aquatic Drone in Rice Paddies

Soma Asuka, Tetsuya Nakamura, Ikuko Shimizu, Taiichiro Ookawa, Hironori Nakajo

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 13

Abstract

Semantic segmentation using neural networks (NNs) has significant potential for weed detection in agricultural fields. However, conventional datasets captured from aerial perspectives often fail to detect weeds that are either hidden beneath crops or submerged in water. This study proposes a method for accurately detecting weed pixels through ensemble learning-based semantic segmentation, using forward-facing images captured by a camera mounted on an aquatic drone navigating between rice plants. We also present a paddy field weed image dataset constructed to train the NN models. Multiple semantic segmentation models were trained, compared, and evaluated, achieving a weed intersection over union (IoU) of 0.441, mean IoU (mIoU) of 0.706, and pixel accuracy of 0.971.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Smart Agriculture and AI · Spectroscopy and Chemometric Analyses · Advanced Chemical Sensor Technologies

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan

New Green, Inc., Tokyo 184-0012, Japan

Division of Advanced Information Technology Computer Science, Institute of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan

Division of Science of Biological Production, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8538, Japan

Funding

JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research

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