Aberystwyth University Leads AI Research to Tackle Potato Blight and Safeguard Global Food Security

Scientists at Aberystwyth University are spearheading innovative research to tackle Phytophthora infestans — the pathogen responsible for late blight in potatoes, one of the world’s most devastating crop diseases.

The disease causes significant global crop losses, accounting for 20% of potato harvest failures and economic damages exceeding €4 billion (USD 4.36 billion) annually.

The university’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) and Department of Life Sciences are among the recipients of a prestigious €584,378 (USD 684,600) Research Alliance Award, jointly announced by the Welsh and Irish governments. The funding will support eight cross-border research collaborations, with Aberystwyth playing a key role in a project addressing this persistent agricultural threat.

International Collaboration to Combat the ‘Plant Destroyer’

Working alongside University College Cork and other partner universities from Wales and Ireland—including Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor, University College Dublin, University of Limerick, and Dublin City University—Aberystwyth researchers will lead a scientific alliance focused on sustainable solutions to late blight.

Professor John Doonan, Director of the National Plant Phenomics Centre at IBERS and Co-Lead on the project:

"This award recognises the power of international collaboration in solving global agricultural challenges. Phytophthora infestans continues to threaten food production systems across Europe."

"By combining our expertise in AI, Prof Luis Mur’s expertise in metabolomics with plant pathology researchers in Cork, we aim to build the foundations of a long-term research partnership that can develop sustainable solutions that reduce the need for chemical disease control."

The Ireland-Wales partnership is funded by the Wales Innovation Network (WIN) and Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland. It is part of a strategic effort to deepen academic collaboration and enhance access to Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme.

James Lawless TD, Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science:

"The Research Alliance Award highlights the strong ties between Ireland and Wales and the immense potential of our academic communities working together. By investing in these innovative projects, we are paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries and solutions benefiting both countries and the wider European community."

Rebecca Evans MS, Wales’ Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning:

"We want to create a dynamic future championing innovation and new technologies to support a greener Wales, with better health, better jobs, and prosperity for all. This funding is a fantastic opportunity for Welsh and Irish academic organisations to forge new partnerships to tackle complex challenges with government support."

DeepDetect: AI Mobile App Revolutionizing Early Potato Blight Detection

A key component of this collaboration is the DeepDetect project, led by Aberystwyth University scientists, which aims to develop a mobile phone app using artificial intelligence to provide early warnings of potato diseases.

Traditionally, crop disease detection depends on manual inspections that are time-consuming, costly, and often subjective. DeepDetect harnesses machine learning to deliver accurate, real-time disease diagnosis directly to farmers’ smartphones, empowering them with location-specific forecasts.

Dr Edore Akpokodje, a lecturer in computer science at Aberystwyth:

"Our goal is to provide farmers with a tool that is scientifically robust, practical, and easy to use. By integrating farmer feedback from the outset, we ensure the technology addresses real-world needs and challenges."

This approach aims to reduce the environmental and financial burdens caused by widespread preventive fungicide spraying.

Dr Edore Akpokodje:

"Early diagnosis of potato diseases boosts productivity, lowers costs, and supports sustainable disease management. Reducing pesticide reliance benefits both the environment and the long-term resilience of the potato industry. The technology also has potential applications across other crops, driving broader innovation in agriculture."

Potato Blight: A Food Security Challenge

Dr. Aiswarya Girija, Researcher at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University:

"Potatoes are the fourth most important staple crop globally. Potato blight threatens food security by destabilising supplies and increasing production costs through reliance on harmful fungicides. The system we plan will detect early disease signs before they become visible, allowing timely and targeted interventions."

The DeepDetect project’s first stage involves a comprehensive feasibility study and market research to understand current early warning systems’ limitations. Following this, the team will develop an AI-powered prototype using extensive image datasets of healthy and diseased potato leaves.

Once the prototype is developed, focus groups and workshops with farmers and agronomists will be conducted to refine the model and ensure its usability in real-world agricultural settings.

Looking Ahead

The Research Alliance Award supports these efforts with seed funding for activities over 12 months, including researcher exchanges and joint workshops, laying the groundwork for future European funding bids. Beyond potato blight, the award also funds projects tackling neurodegenerative diseases, AI for seizure detection, freshwater clean-up, and next-generation batteries.

Aberystwyth University’s leadership in this cross-border collaboration exemplifies the power of science and technology to address global food security challenges while promoting sustainability and innovation.