Location: Horticultural Crops Research Unit
Project Number: 2072-21000-055-002-G
Project Type: Grant
Start Date: Sep 1, 2018
End Date: Oct 31, 2021
Objective:
Evaluate the sensitivity of images collected using Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for monitoring nutrient and moisture status of nursery plants.
Approach:
Multispectral and thermal signatures will be collected by Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in experimental and commercial production settings for different species and cultivars of nursery crops. Initial proof of concept will be evaluated using simulated extremes in plant nutrient and water stress under experimental conditions. Plant nutrition and moisture will be manipulated in experimental settings and aerial imagery of plants will be performed in conjunction with on-ground measurement of plant health (tissue nutrient analyses, stomatal conductance, disease/pest incidence, etc.). Data from experimental settings will be collected and will be used to develop relationships between image data and plant health variables. After proof of concept is validated in an experimental setting, aerial imagery will be performed over different spatial and temporal scales in commercial production systems and data used to develop spectral maps using relationships developed from experimental plants. The sensitivity of relationships developed from experimental plants will be assessed using on-ground measurements of plant health and relationships refined as needed.
