High-Resolution Optical Imaging Incorporated Non-Destructive Morphological Boundary Detection of Fruit Disorders: A Pilot Study

Plant diseases caused by various pathogens, such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, lead to significant reductions in crop yield and quality. Early detection of these diseases is critical for preventing their spread and optimizing crop yield. Traditional methods of disease detection, while effective, often involve invasive or time-consuming procedures that may not provide real-time insights. This study investigates the use of Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography (SS-OCT) for non-destructive, high-resolution imaging to identify morphological abnormalities in fruit specimens affected by diseases. The research focuses on differentiating healthy regions, healthy boundaries, infected boundaries, and fully infected regions in apples. Using a 1310 nm center wavelength laser, the SS-OCT system captured detailed cross-sectional images of fruit tissue, revealing microstructural changes associated with disease progression. A qualitative assessment of the two-dimensional (2D) OCT images highlighted distinct layers in healthy tissues, noticeable structural deformities, and the merging of microstructural layers in the boundary and infected regions. Quantitative depth-profile analysis of axial-direction A-scan profiles further demonstrated the reduction and merging of intensity peaks correlating with tissue abnormalities in infected fruit specimens. These findings underscore the potential of SS-OCT as an effective tool for early disease detection in agricultural products, providing a means for timely intervention and optimized postharvest management.