A Fuzzy Delphi Based Inference System for Detecting and Controlling Rice Weeds

Abstract In this research, the purpose was to design a fuzzy expert system based on fuzzy delphi method to detect and control the rice weed. The statistical population was elites and experts with regard to the science, experience and field of activity; 15 experts were selected as the sample. Two questionnaires were used to design the desired fuzzy expert: i) Fuzzy Delphi Technique Weed Detection Questionnaire, ii) Delphi Technique Weed Control Questionnaire. The design of the desired expert system was done with MATLAB software and the fuzzy logic tool box. That is, after obtaining an appropriate range of factors, through attributing the fuzzy trapezoidal membership functions to these ranges and generating the input functions, designing the rule base of this system and combining the output results of each factor, a system was designed whose input was the weed factor and the output was scores assigned to weeds. MATLAB guide was also used to design the graphical user interface. Then, for validation the designed system was tested. The answers of system and individual expert were then analyzed using paired t-test. Root Mean Square Error and Middle Absolute Value Deviation tests were used to calculate the system errors. The results were 0.12 and 0.01, respectively. This indicates that the designed fuzzy expert system has sufficient accuracy. Finally, given that all but two of the examined rules are the same as the diagnosis of an individual expert, then in 94% of the cases, the diagnosis of the system is the same as the diagnosis of an individual expert.