Knowledge‐based systems for pest management: an applications‐based review
Gareth Edwards‐Jones · Pesticide Science · 1992
Abstract Since the first application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to agricultural problems in 1982 nearly 300 further systems have been reported, of which 50 have been developed for pest management. Typically, these systems perform one of three tasks; diagnostics, treatment prescription or strategy development. The characteristics of all three types of system are discussed with reference to several examples. Although these examples serve to emphasise the power of AI techniques for aiding management decisions, few existing agricultural knowledge‐based systems utilise this potential to the full, and as yet there has not been a widespread adoption of this technology by practising pest managers. Despite the failure to transfer this technology from the laboratory to the field, the potential of knowledge‐based systems is widely recognised. However, further development of this technology for agricultural use within the UK is likely to be hindered by funding constraints.