Web based Expert System for Diagnosis of Micro Nutrients ’ Deficiencies in Crops

-After moisture stress, one of the most important limiting factors for crop productivity is nutrient stress. The crop yield losses are estimated to an extent of 10-20% with or without-visual symptoms (“Hidden hunger”). Of the several nutrients, P, Fe, Zn, B & Mg are reported to be in short supply for plant growth and productivity globally. Especially the low level of Fe and Zn has a bearing on human nutrition also. Diagnosis and remedies are critical components of crop productivity. In view of this; we propose a web-based expert system for diagnosis of plant macro and micronutrients disorders in crops. This system aims to provide a guide to identify deficiency of nutrients in crops, i.e., disorders in leaves, stems and roots of a plant. To avoid diseases caused by deficiency, and to solve the problems, expert system is developed using the virtual diagnosis framework. Mineral Information System is a knowledge based information system, which gives detailed information on characteristics of minerals, availability in soil, role and deficiency symptoms in plant growth, prevention and management to correct the nutrition deficiency, and sources and cost of minerals. This system would be of much use to extension workers, scientists and researchers involved in mineral aspects of research. The development methodology adopted and the current status of the system for diagnosis of deficiency in crops is discussed in this paper. The expert system infers the knowledge on diagnosis of nutritional deficiency diseases in crops, which are specific to each nutrient element. The roles, management, symptoms, quantification, critical limits etc. are parameters which will be used to identify the micronutrient deficiencies in the diseased crops. This will help the ultimate user to find remedies to correct the deficient plants by exerting a control on specific parameters. The experience acquired in the development of this expert system as well as its future research potential is also presented.