AI Tool MorphPod Automates Plant Fruit Measuring to Breed Better Crops

Scientists at Aberystwyth University are developing new artificial intelligence (AI) tools to automate the measurement of plant seeds and pods to breed better crop varieties. Led by researchers from the University's Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences and Computer Science, the study demonstrates the power of targeted applications of artificial intelligence to improve the quality of our crops.

The AI-powered tool called MorphPod analyzes images to quickly and accurately measure traits like pod length, width, and volume, which are crucial for crop yield. By linking these physical traits to specific genes, the AI helps researchers identify genetic regions that control plant growth and development. This will allow for more efficient breeding of crops with improved traits such as higher yield, better shape, and increased resilience. The AI tool has been tested on various crops, including oilseed rape, cabbage, and cereals like oats, barley, and wheat.

The MorphPod tool is available online, enabling researchers around the world to replicate or adapt the system for use with other plant species.

For more details, read the article in Aberystwyth University News.