Hybrid Convolutional Neural Networks for Enhanced Detection of Mango Leaf Diseases

The classification of mango leaf diseases is critical for effective disease management and ensuring high-quality yields in mango cultivation. This paper presents a comprehensive study on using deep learning techniques to classify various mango leaf diseases, leveraging convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and hybrid models. A total of 7,524 images were used in our study. These included 4,000 training samples and 3,524 testing samples. The images were split into eight groups, which were powdery mildew, cutting weevil, anthracnose, bacterial canker, sooty mold, gall midge, healthy, and die back. The suggested method starts with feature extraction using VGG19 and MobileNetB1, then classification using both standalone models (ResNet50V2 + EfficientNetB1 and VGG16 + MobileNetB1). We employed data augmentation techniques like random brightness adjustment, rotation, and flipping to enhance the robustness of the model. We conducted hyperparameter tuning using hyperband and Bayesian optimization to optimize the model’s performance. Experimental results demonstrate that the hybrid models achieved superior performance, with ResNet50V2 and EfficientNetB1 attaining a perfect accuracy of $100 \%$ on the test set. These findings highlight the potential of deep learning techniques to improve the accuracy and reliability of mango leaf disease diagnosis, contributing significantly to the advancement of precision agriculture.