By Blake Jackson
Researchers at Kentucky State University are highlighting the growing role of artificial intelligence in the future of controlled environment agriculture, where crop production increasingly depends on technology-driven decision-making.
A newly published review article in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science examines how AI can improve efficiency in greenhouses, vertical farms, hydroponic operations, high tunnels, and other indoor growing systems.
The study explains how artificial intelligence can process large amounts of information collected from sensors, imaging tools, automation systems, and crop-monitoring equipment to help producers make better management decisions.
The review was co-authored by Kentucky State researchers Alex Kofi, Dr. Theoneste Nzaramyimana, Dr. Adekunle Adeyeye, and Dr. Hattie Makumbe, along with collaborators from Illinois State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service.
“Artificial intelligence is not replacing the farmer or the researcher. It is giving us another tool to understand crops, environments, and production systems more clearly," Kofi said.
"As first author, I wanted this review to help connect the science with practical questions growers and researchers are asking — how we can detect problems earlier, use resources more efficiently, and strengthen food production systems for the future.”
Controlled environment agriculture allows growers to carefully regulate factors such as temperature, light, humidity, nutrients, water, and carbon dioxide levels.
Researchers say combining those systems with AI can improve crop forecasting, disease detection, irrigation management, lighting control, automation, and overall resource efficiency.
The article also discusses technologies including machine learning, robotics, neural networks, deep learning, and Internet of Things systems, which are increasingly being used to monitor crop conditions and support farm management decisions.
Researchers noted that broader AI adoption will require improved datasets, farmer training, data privacy protections, and clearer guidelines for managing agricultural data.
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Categories: Kentucky, Education, General