Spectral super-resolution for high-accuracy rice variety classification using hybrid CNN-Transformer model

Rice variety classification is crucial for ensuring the purity and quality of rice production. In this study, hyperspectral images (HSI) of rice varieties were reconstructed using a spectral super-resolution technique, serving as a basis for an enhanced classification process. RGB images of various rice varieties were utilized to reconstruct the HSI, and a hybrid CNN-Transformer model featuring an efficient feature fusion module aimed at reducing redundancy was developed. Building on the spectral super-resolution model, a Swin-Transformer model was employed for rice variety classification, chosen for its capacity to effectively handle high-dimensional data with fewer parameters and lower FLOPs. The classification accuracy based on actual HSI reached an impressive 99.961 %, while the accuracy based on reconstructed HSI was a close 99.413 %. These results demonstrate that the spectral super-resolution method not only effectively reconstructs HSI images of rice varieties but also supports highly reliable classification. It is indicated by the study that spectral super-resolution can significantly outperform advanced CNN and Transformer-based methods in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency, offering a promising approach for precise rice variety classification and potentially other agricultural applications. •Efficient ERB designed to enhance spatial and spectral interactions in imagery.•EFF module developed to advance learning of spectral features effectively.•Reconstructed hyperspectral imaging for accurate rice variety identification.