Leaf area estimation in lettuce: Comparison of artificial intelligence-based methods with image analysis technique

Artificial intelligence (AI) as a simulation approach is increasingly being used in precision agriculture. The current study evaluated the performance of five methods for estimating lettuce leaf area (LA), including simple linear regression (SLR), artificial neural networks (ANNs), adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), support vector regression (SVR), and image analysis technique. The standardized Ranking Performance Index (sRPI) was used to determine the overall ranking of the simulation approaches. Image analysis and ANFIS methods were found to have superior performance to other methods evaluated, according to the evaluation criteria of R2 values of 0.98 and 0.92, and RRMSE values of 4.3 and 2.32, respectively. The SLR, on the other hand, was found to be the least ranked method. Overall, the results indicated that the image analysis method could be a cost-effective option, and the ANFIS method could serve as a non-destructive alternative to conventional LA determination methods.