RGB imaging phenotyping platform for early detection of potato soilborne diseases

Overview

This research proposes a phenotyping platform that uses installed digital cameras to capture frequent RGB images of potato plants, enabling early detection and monitoring of resistance or susceptibility to two economically important soilborne pathogens: Rhizoctonia solani (Rs) and Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea (Sss). In southern Chile, where 60% of the country's potato area is cultivated and yields reach 42 t/ha, losses from these pathogens exceed 20%. The platform aims to identify and characterize disease development in aerial biomass during key phenological stages, since root-level infection affects nutrient and water uptake, altering plant growth, color, and architecture. The primary beneficiaries are potato breeding programs and growers seeking low-cost tools to evaluate plant resistance and disease control treatments.

Technical specifications

• RGB imaging approach for capturing changes in plant biomass, color, and architecture
• Non-destructive, low-cost solution suitable for estimating how root system infection affects nutrient and water uptake and final yield
• Aerial biomass monitoring to determine light interception capacity and photosynthetic efficiency as indicators of yield potential
• Experimental design using three potato varieties with differing susceptibility levels
• Inoculation protocol at planting with Rs, Sss, and a mixed-pathogen treatment
• Correlation analysis between disease incidence and severity with RGB image data
• Glasshouse-based validation under controlled conditions before field deployment

Technology readiness level

This is an early-stage research line focused on developing a tool to evaluate the effects of soilborne potato diseases on plant vigor using RGB imaging. Current work involves establishing a glasshouse potato trial with pathogen inoculation and image-based monitoring. Future validation will extend the approach to field conditions to study disease incidence and severity under real production environments. The tool is intended to support the INIA Potato Breeding Program in evaluating resistance and disease control treatments.