Spectral Reconstruction Applied in Precision Agriculture: On-Field Solutions

Over the past two decades, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) systems have shown significant potential in agriculture, from disease detection to the assessment of plant and fruit nutritional status. However, most applications remain confined to laboratory analyses under controlled conditions, with only a limited fraction implemented in field environments. In this scenario, spectral reconstruction techniques may serve as a bridge between the high accuracy of HSI and the challenges of on-field or even real-time applications. This review outlines the current state of the art of on-field HSI in the agrifood sector, highlighting existing limitations and potential advantages. It then introduces the problem of spectral reconstruction and reviews current techniques used to address it. Laboratory and on-field studies will be taken into account. The final section offers our perspective on the limitations of HSI and the promising potential of spectral super-resolution to overcome current barriers and enable broader adoption of hyperspectral technology in precision agriculture.