AI Camera Sensor-Based Detection of Crop Water Stress and Pesticide Requirement

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled camera sensor systems are increasingly transforming precision agriculture by providing non-destructive, rapid, and scalable methods for monitoring crop health. Two of the most critical applications are the detection of crop water stress and the assessment of pesticide requirement through pest, disease, and symptom recognition. This literature review synthesizes published work on RGB, thermal, multispectral, and hyperspectral imaging integrated with machine learning and deep learning methods for agricultural decision support. The reviewed studies show that thermal and hyperspectral imaging are particularly effective for water stress detection, whereas RGB and multispectral systems are highly practical for identifying disease symptoms, pest infestation, and spray targets. The literature further indicates a shift from simple classification toward real-time decision support, multimodal fusion, explainable AI, and precision input application. This review discusses core sensing technologies, major algorithmic approaches, research findings from key studies, present limitations, and future research directions. Overall, AI camera sensor systems offer substantial potential for reducing water wastage, minimizing excessive pesticide use, and improving sustainable agricultural productivity.