Rapid analysis of hydrogen cyanide in fresh cassava roots using NIRSand machine learning algorithms: Meeting end user demand for low cyanogenic cassava.

Journal: The plant genome
PMID:

Abstract

This study focuses on meeting end-users' demand for cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) varieties with low cyanogenic potential (hydrogen cyanide potential [HCN]) by using near-infrared spectrometry (NIRS). This technology provides a fast, accurate, and reliable way to determine sample constituents with minimal sample preparation. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of machine learning (ML) algorithms such as logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) in distinguishing between low and high HCN accessions. Low HCN accessions averagely scored 1-5.9, while high HCN accessions scored 6-9 on a 1-9 categorical scale. The researchers used 1164 root samples to test different NIRS prediction models and six spectral pretreatments. The wavelengths 961, 1165, 1403-1505, 1913-1981, and 2491 nm were influential in discrimination of low and high HCN accessions. Using selected wavelengths, LR achieved 100% classification accuracy and PLS-DA achieved 99% classification accuracy. Using the full spectrum, the best model for discriminating low and high HCN accessions was the PLS-DA combined with standard normal variate with second derivative, which produced an accuracy of 99.6%. The SVM and LR had moderate classification accuracies of 75% and 74%, respectively. This study demonstrates that NIRS coupled with ML algorithms can be used to identify low and high HCN accessions, which can help cassava breeding programs to select for low HCN accessions.

Authors

  • Michael Kanaabi
    School of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Fatumah B Namakula
    National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala, Uganda.
  • Ephraim Nuwamanya
    School of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Ismail S Kayondo
    International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria.
  • Nicholas Muhumuza
    School of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Enoch Wembabazi
    National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala, Uganda.
  • Paula Iragaba
    National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala, Uganda.
  • Leah Nandudu
    National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala, Uganda.
  • Ann Ritah Nanyonjo
    National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala, Uganda.
  • Julius Baguma
    National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala, Uganda.
  • Williams Esuma
    National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala, Uganda.
  • Alfred Ozimati
    School of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Mukasa Settumba
    School of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Titus Alicai
    National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala, Uganda.
  • Angele Ibanda
    National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala, Uganda.
  • Robert S Kawuki
    National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala, Uganda.