Global agricultural production is severely threatened by the intensification of crop diseases and pests. Traditional pesticide application methods, characterized by inefficiency and frequent phytotoxicity, necessitate the urgent development of smart plant protection technologies that feature precision, dosage reduction, and high efficiency. This study focuses on the core component of intelligent decision-making, systematically delineating the technological trajectory of the field through a three-tier analytical framework: “model evolution–system integration–application form.” Analysis reveals that decision-making models have transitioned from rule-driven and data-driven approaches to fusion-driven paradigms. This evolution marks a shift from the codification of empirical experience to data learning, culminating in the synergistic integration of multi-source information and domain knowledge. At the system application level, the core technical architecture—comprising multi-dimensional information sensing, real-time edge computing, and precise control execution—has facilitated the translation of intelligent pesticide application from laboratory settings to field deployment. Future decision-making systems are projected to evolve towards causal understanding, cluster collaboration, and ubiquitous service, providing critical technical support for the green transformation and sustainable development of agriculture.
Feng et al. (2026) studied this question.