Multi-source information fusion-driven corn yield prediction using the Random Forest from the perspective of Agricultural and Forestry Economic Management

Abstract

The objective of this study is to promptly and accurately allocate resources, scientifically guide grain distribution, and enhance the precision of crop yield prediction (CYP), particularly for corn, along with ensuring application stability. The digital camera is selected to capture the digital image of a 60 m × 10 m experimental cornfield. Subsequently, the obtained data on corn yield and statistical growth serve as inputs for the multi-source information fusion (MSIF). The study proposes an MSIF-based CYP Random Forest model by amalgamating the fluctuating corn yield dataset. In relation to the spatial variability of the experimental cornfield, the fitting degree and prediction ability of the proposed MSIF-based CYP Random Forest are analyzed, with statistics collected from 1-hectare, 10-hectare, 20-hectare, 30-hectare, and 50-hectare experimental cornfields. Results indicate that the proposed MSIF-based CYP Random Forest model outperforms control models such as support vector machine (SVM) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), achieving the highest prediction accuracy of 89.30%, surpassing SVM and LSTM by approximately 13.44%. Meanwhile, as the experimental field size increases, the proposed model demonstrates higher prediction accuracy, reaching a maximum of 98.71%. This study is anticipated to offer early warnings of potential factors affecting crop yields and to further advocate for the adoption of MSIF-based CYP. These findings hold significant research implications for personnel involved in Agricultural and Forestry Economic Management within the context of developing agricultural economy.