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Smart Sensors and Artificial Intelligence Driven Alert System for Optimizing Red Peppers Drying in Southern Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Costanza Fiorentino

    (Department of Agriculture, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Paola D’Antonio

    (Department of Agriculture, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Francesco Toscano

    (Department of Agriculture, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Nicola Capece

    (Department of Engineering, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Luis Alcino Conceição

    (VALORIZA—Research Center for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-110 Portalegre, Portugal)

  • Emanuele Scalcione

    (Lucanian Agency of Innovation and Development in Agriculture (ALSIA), Via Annunziatella, 75100 Matera, Italy)

  • Felice Modugno

    (Department of Agriculture, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Maura Sannino

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università, 100, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy)

  • Roberto Colonna

    (Department of Engineering, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
    Space Technologies and Applications Centre (STAC), Satellite Application Centre (SAC), 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Emilia Lacetra

    (Department of Agriculture, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Giovanni Di Mambro

    (Elaisian SRL, Via Ostiense, 92, 00154 Roma, Italy)

Abstract

The Senise red pepper, known as peperone crusco, is a protected geographical indication (PGI) product from Basilicata, Italy, traditionally consumed dried. Producers use semi-open greenhouses to meet PGI standards, but significant losses are caused by rot from microorganisms thriving in high moisture, temperature, and humidity, which also encourage pest infestations. To minimize losses, a low-cost alert system was developed. The study, conducted in summer 2022 and 2023, used external parameters from the ALSIA Senise weather station and internal sensors monitoring the air temperature and humidity inside the greenhouse. Since rot is complex and difficult to model, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach was adopted. A feed forward neural network (FFNN) estimated greenhouse climate conditions as if it were empty, comparing them with actual values when peppers were present. This revealed the most critical period was the first 3–4 days after introduction and identified a critical air relative humidity threshold. The system could also predict microclimatic parameters inside the greenhouse with red peppers, issuing warnings one hour before risk conditions arose. In 2023, it was tested by comparing predicted values with previously identified thresholds. When critical levels were exceeded, greenhouse operators were alerted to adjust conditions. In 2023, pepper rot decreased.

Suggested Citation

  • Costanza Fiorentino & Paola D’Antonio & Francesco Toscano & Nicola Capece & Luis Alcino Conceição & Emanuele Scalcione & Felice Modugno & Maura Sannino & Roberto Colonna & Emilia Lacetra & Giovanni Di, 2025. "Smart Sensors and Artificial Intelligence Driven Alert System for Optimizing Red Peppers Drying in Southern Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1682-:d:1593610
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tsafaras, I. & Campen, J.B. & Stanghellini, C. & de Zwart, H.F. & Voogt, W. & Scheffers, K. & Harbi, A. Al & Assaf, K. Al, 2021. "Intelligent greenhouse design decreases water use for evaporative cooling in arid regions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    2. Maria Isabella Sifola & Luisa del Piano & Daniele Todisco & Giulia Graziani & Salvatore Faugno & Maura Sannino & Rossella Piscopo & Antonio Salluzzo & Eugenio Cozzolino, 2023. "A Multipurpose Sustainable Farming System for Tobacco Crops in the Mediterranean Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Costanza Fiorentino & Paola D’Antonio & Francesco Toscano & Angelo Donvito & Felice Modugno, 2023. "New Technique for Monitoring High Nature Value Farmland (HNVF) in Basilicata," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-13, May.
    4. Esper, A. & Mühlbauer, W., 1998. "Solar drying - an effective means of food preservation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 95-100.
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