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Remote sensing of N deficiencies in apple and pear orchards

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-23, 10:14 authored by Perry, EM, Bluml, M, Goodwin, I, Cornwall, D, Nigel SwartsNigel Swarts
Innovative use of sensor technology offers the potential to provide better feedback techniques of nutrient status, resulting in the lowered expenditure on fertiliser, increased capacity to meet market specification and reduced loss of nutrients. In this study we evaluated the use of remote sensing to assess canopy N status through the Canopy Chlorophyll Concentration Index (CCCI) which has been applied to cereal crops, but was untested for apple and pear. Initial analysis suggested that 2.5 m resolution satellite imagery was not sufficient to separate the tree canopy from orchard floor vegetation. To remove the influence of the orchard understorey, test datasets of high spatial resolution imagery (<0.05 m pixel) were acquired over the canopy in a research pear orchard and commercial apple orchards. A multispectral camera was deployed in hand held mode to generate side views of the canopy, and above the canopy using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). CCCI determined from side viewing imagery within commercial apple orchards was compared with corresponding leaf N values taken from the same plots. The results suggest that a linear relationship between CCCI and leaf N can be established. Imagery acquired from a UAV platform validated the use of a UAV in commercial and research orchard settings to provide maps of CCCI.

Funding

Horticulture Innovation Australia

History

Publication title

Acta Horticulturae

Volume

1130

Editors

DS Tustin, BM van Hooijdonk

Pagination

575-580

ISSN

0567-7572

Department/School

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Publisher

International Society for Horticultural Science

Place of publication

Belgium

Event title

XXIX International Horticultural Congress on Horticulture: International Symposia on the Physiology of Perennial Fruit Crops and Production Systems and Mechanisation, Precision Horticulture and Robotics

Event Venue

Brisbane, Australia

Date of Event (Start Date)

2014-08-17

Date of Event (End Date)

2014-08-22

Rights statement

Copyright 2016 ISHS

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Pome fruit, pip fruit