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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Production Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #305657
Title: Agricultural aircraft and thermal imaging - from detecting sand boils at the levee to irrigation management

Author
item Thomson, Steven
item Huang, Yanbo
item BROOKS, TALBOT - Delta State University

Submitted to: Agricultural Aviation
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/29/2014
Publication Date: 7/17/2014
Citation: Thomson, S.J., Huang, Y., Brooks, T.J. 2014. Agricultural aircraft and thermal imaging - from detecting sand boils at the levee to irrigation management. Agricultural Aviation. 41(4):62-65.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Thermal imaging has many potential uses from aerial platforms. A thermal imaging camera was brought into service to detect potential leakage and sand boils at the Mississippi River levee during the flood period of April and May, 2011. This camera was mounted on an agricultural aircraft and operated by researchers and personnel within the USDA ARS Crop Production Systems Research Unit (CPSRU), Stoneville, Mississippi USA. Example thermal imagery showed a sand boil caused by increased hydraulic pressure on the soil near Deeson, Mississippi, and differences in surface temperature on the leading edge of the levee indicating possible seepage. The camera also showed good potential for determining differences in crop stress within a field and was demonstrated to be an excellent aid for diagnosing leakage in irrigation systems.