Detecting the attributes of a wheat crop using digital 3D imagery acquired from a low-altitude platform

Jensen, T. and Apan, A. and Young, F. and Zeller, L. (2007) Detecting the attributes of a wheat crop using digital 3D imagery acquired from a low-altitude platform. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 59 (1-2). pp. 66-77. ISSN 0168-1699

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Abstract

A low-altitude platform utilising a 1.8-m diameter tethered helium balloon was used to position a multispectral sensor, consisting of two digital cameras, above a fertiliser trial plot where wheat (Triticum spp.) was being grown. Located in Cecil Plains, Queensland, Australia, the plot was a long-term fertiliser trial being conducted by a fertiliser company to monitor the response of crops to various levels of nutrition. The different levels of nutrition were achieved by varying nitrogen application rates between 0 and 120 units of N at 40 unit increments. Each plot had received the same application rate for 10 years. Colour and near-infrared images were acquired that captured the whole 2 ha plot. These images were examined and relationships sought between the captured digital information and the crop parameters imaged at anthesis and the at-harvest quality and quantity parameters. The statistical analysis techniques used were correlation analysis, discriminant analysis and partial least squares regression. A high correlation was found between the image and yield (R2 = 0.91) and a moderate correlation between the image and grain protein content (R2 = 0.66). The utility of the system could be extended by choosing a more mobile platform. This would increase the potential for the system to be used to diagnose the causes of the variability and allow remediation, and/or to segregate the crop at harvest to meet certain quality parameters.

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Item Type:	Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C)
Refereed:	Yes
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	Author's veriosn deposited in accordance with the publisher's copyright policy.
Faculty / Department / School:	Historic - Faculty of Engineering and Surveying - Department of Surveying and Land Information
Date Deposited:	09 Jan 2008 03:21
Last Modified:	02 Jul 2013 22:49
Uncontrolled Keywords:	grain protein; grain yield; low altitude; digital camera
Fields of Research :	09 Engineering > 0909 Geomatic Engineering > 090905 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Identification Number or DOI:	10.1016/j.compag.2007.05.004
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/3034

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