Drones and AI Identify Climate-Resilient Wheat Varieties

Researchers from the University of Barcelona and Agrotecnio have developed a method combining drones and artificial intelligence to identify wheat varieties that are both high-yielding and stable across variable climate conditions. The study analyzed 64 durum wheat varieties using RGB, multispectral, and thermal cameras, training AI models to predict yield and production stability without requiring harvesting. A key finding challenges conventional assumptions: the most resilient varieties are not those that stay green longest, but those with vigorous early growth and earlier maturation. This approach could significantly advance plant breeding programs aimed at developing wheat capable of withstanding drought and rising temperatures.