The use of a certainty factor method in diagnosing diseases of plantation crops with economic value

Abstract

Indonesia is a country which possesses various flora. Plantation crops have economic value. They have a large economic value that can bring foreign exchange into the country, create jobs, become a source of income for its people, and to contribute to efforts to preserve the environment. This paper outlines an alternative solution to help farmers in diagnosing plant diseases. One solution is to create an expert system application to diagnose diseases in plants of economic value using certainty factors. Some research used a knowledge base for diseases that attack plantation crops such as coffee, cocoa, pepper, nutmeg, and coconut. These types of plants are the most common Indonesian plantation crops and they have high economic value. This research aims to help improve the knowledge of the farmers in diagnosing plant diseases of these crops. This study began with a literature review and continued with analysis, design, implementation and testing of a system. From the tests performed, farmers were able to use this application to diagnose diseases of plantation crops. This study developed software that could diagnose 36 plant diseases. Based on testing conducted to measure the farmers’ level of understanding in diagnosing plant diseases, it was shown that ton average from 21.8 to 35.9 after using this expert system application.