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Combination active optical and passive thermal infrared sensor for low-level airborne crop sensing

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Abstract

An integrated active optical, and passive thermal infrared sensing system was deployed on a low-level aircraft (50 m AGL) to record and map the simple ratio (SR) index and canopy temperature of a 230 ha cotton field. The SR map was found to closely resemble that created by a RapidEye satellite image, and the canopy temperature map yielded values consistent with on-ground measurements. The fact that both the SR and temperature measurements were spatially coincident facilitated the rapid and convenient generation of a direct correlation plot between the two parameters. The scatterplot exhibited the typical reflectance index-temperature profile generated by previous workers using complex analytical techniques and satellite imagery. This sensor offers a convenient and viable alternative to other forms of optical and thermal remote sensing for those interested in plant and soil moisture investigations using the ‘reflectance index-temperature’ space concept.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the CRC for Spatial Information (CRCSI), established and supported under the Australian Government Cooperative Research Centres Programme. The authors wish to acknowledge the technical support of Kyle Holland (Holland Scientific) in designing and building the Raptor™ Mk II sensor, David Boundy and Rob Maslen (Superair) for mounting the sensor on the aircraft and conducting the aerial surveys, Tim Neale (PrecisionAgriculture.com) for provision of the RapidEye satellite imagery and Nick Gillingham (Sundown Pastoral Company) for providing access to the field site. Specific mention of product brand names (e.g. CropCircle™ and Raptor™) or service providers (e.g. Holland Scientific or Superair) does not constitute an endorsement of these particular products or service providers. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information and Precision Agriculture Research Group, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia

    D. W. Lamb, D. A. Schneider & J. N. Stanley

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  1. D. W. Lamb
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  2. D. A. Schneider
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  3. J. N. Stanley
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Correspondence to D. W. Lamb.

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Lamb, D.W., Schneider, D.A. & Stanley, J.N. Combination active optical and passive thermal infrared sensor for low-level airborne crop sensing. Precision Agric 15, 523–531 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-014-9350-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-014-9350-0

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