An advanced deep learning method for pepper diseases and pests detection

Abstract Despite the significant progress in deep learning-based object detection, existing models struggle to perform optimally in complex agricultural environments. To address these challenges, this study introduces YOLO-Pepper, an enhanced model designed specifically for greenhouse pepper disease...

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Main Authors: Xuewei Wang, Jun Liu, Qian Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Plant Methods
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-025-01387-4
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author Xuewei Wang
Jun Liu
Qian Chen
author_facet Xuewei Wang
Jun Liu
Qian Chen
author_sort Xuewei Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Despite the significant progress in deep learning-based object detection, existing models struggle to perform optimally in complex agricultural environments. To address these challenges, this study introduces YOLO-Pepper, an enhanced model designed specifically for greenhouse pepper disease and pest detection, overcoming three key obstacles: small target recognition, multi-scale feature extraction under occlusion, and real-time processing demands. Built upon YOLOv10n, YOLO-Pepper incorporates four major innovations: (1) an Adaptive Multi-Scale Feature Extraction (AMSFE) module that improves feature capture through multi-branch convolutions; (2) a Dynamic Feature Pyramid Network (DFPN) enabling context-aware feature fusion; (3) a specialized Small Detection Head (SDH) tailored for minute targets; and (4) an Inner-CIoU loss function that enhances localization accuracy by 18% compared to standard CIoU. Evaluated on a diverse dataset of 8046 annotated images, YOLO-Pepper achieves state-of-the-art performance, with 94.26% mAP@0.5 at 115.26 FPS, marking an 11.88 percentage point improvement over YOLOv10n (82.38% mAP@0.5) while maintaining a lightweight structure (2.51 M parameters, 5.15 MB model size) optimized for edge deployment. Comparative experiments highlight YOLO-Pepper’s superiority over nine benchmark models, particularly in detecting small and occluded targets. By addressing computational inefficiencies and refining small object detection capabilities, YOLO-Pepper provides robust technical support for intelligent agricultural monitoring systems, making it a highly effective tool for early disease detection and integrated pest management in commercial greenhouse operations.
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spelling doaj-art-75b6418df1464a90bf3579a0b30cd8da2025-08-20T03:22:03ZengBMCPlant Methods1746-48112025-05-0121111810.1186/s13007-025-01387-4An advanced deep learning method for pepper diseases and pests detectionXuewei Wang0Jun Liu1Qian Chen2Shandong Provincial University Laboratory for Protected Horticulture, Weifang University of Science and TechnologyShandong Provincial University Laboratory for Protected Horticulture, Weifang University of Science and TechnologySchool of Computer, Sichuan Technology and Business UniversityAbstract Despite the significant progress in deep learning-based object detection, existing models struggle to perform optimally in complex agricultural environments. To address these challenges, this study introduces YOLO-Pepper, an enhanced model designed specifically for greenhouse pepper disease and pest detection, overcoming three key obstacles: small target recognition, multi-scale feature extraction under occlusion, and real-time processing demands. Built upon YOLOv10n, YOLO-Pepper incorporates four major innovations: (1) an Adaptive Multi-Scale Feature Extraction (AMSFE) module that improves feature capture through multi-branch convolutions; (2) a Dynamic Feature Pyramid Network (DFPN) enabling context-aware feature fusion; (3) a specialized Small Detection Head (SDH) tailored for minute targets; and (4) an Inner-CIoU loss function that enhances localization accuracy by 18% compared to standard CIoU. Evaluated on a diverse dataset of 8046 annotated images, YOLO-Pepper achieves state-of-the-art performance, with 94.26% mAP@0.5 at 115.26 FPS, marking an 11.88 percentage point improvement over YOLOv10n (82.38% mAP@0.5) while maintaining a lightweight structure (2.51 M parameters, 5.15 MB model size) optimized for edge deployment. Comparative experiments highlight YOLO-Pepper’s superiority over nine benchmark models, particularly in detecting small and occluded targets. By addressing computational inefficiencies and refining small object detection capabilities, YOLO-Pepper provides robust technical support for intelligent agricultural monitoring systems, making it a highly effective tool for early disease detection and integrated pest management in commercial greenhouse operations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-025-01387-4Pepper diseases and pests detectionDeep learningYOLOv10Small object detectionAgricultural scenarios
spellingShingle Xuewei Wang
Jun Liu
Qian Chen
An advanced deep learning method for pepper diseases and pests detection
Plant Methods
Pepper diseases and pests detection
Deep learning
YOLOv10
Small object detection
Agricultural scenarios
title An advanced deep learning method for pepper diseases and pests detection
title_full An advanced deep learning method for pepper diseases and pests detection
title_fullStr An advanced deep learning method for pepper diseases and pests detection
title_full_unstemmed An advanced deep learning method for pepper diseases and pests detection
title_short An advanced deep learning method for pepper diseases and pests detection
title_sort advanced deep learning method for pepper diseases and pests detection
topic Pepper diseases and pests detection
Deep learning
YOLOv10
Small object detection
Agricultural scenarios
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-025-01387-4
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