Agriculture Applications Crops

Infrared and Near Infrared Thermal Imaging can be from ground level, elevated or from an aircraft.  Unmanned Aerial Vehicles systems (UAVs) and lighter than air platforms for Small Format Aerial Photography (SFAP) are available to carry instruments to the required height

Infrared and near Infrared Thermal Imaging application in Agriculture are expanding exponentially to include

1. Success of tile systems to remove excess water

2. Sensing soil temperatures for optimum planting

3. Monitoring the progress of the crop

4. Testing for moisture in crop at harvest time

Testing for the cop and soil conditions

1. Lack of Moisture

2. Excess moisture

3. Insect infestation

4. Disease and or bacterial infections

5. Nutrient imbalance

6. Temperature

In addition specific crops have unique characteristics to be monitored

Corn

1. Readiness for silage harvest
2. Grain harvest readiness
3. Grain nutrient attributes

Fallow Land

Assessment of tile drainage system

Grass / Pasture

Assessment of tile drainage system

Soya beans

1. Grain harvest readiness
2. Grain nutrient attributes

Specialty Grains

1. Grain harvest readiness
2. Grain nutrient attributes

Tender Fruit

1. Harvest readiness
2. Temperature monitoring
3. Product nutrient attributes

Vegetables

1. Harvest readiness
2. Temperature monitoring
3. Product nutrient attributes

 Wheat

1. Grain harvest readiness
2. Grain nutrient attributes

 

The ability to prepare colour image reports showing for any seized area (1 to 100 Acres)

1. Density of the crop cover in the field
2. Variations in plant colour pattern indicating possible weed infestation
3. Variations in plant colour pattern indicating possible presence insect / disease
4. Lack of chlorophyll in the canopy which may indicate
a. Maturity of the crop
b. Stress factors as above

 Images from overlapping areas of a field can be “stitched” together to make a composite report for the project.  Reports can be focused to highlight specific areas.

The ability to compare the colour image reports over the growing period will enable the manager to gage the success or failure of remedial actions.

Equipment is available that selectively apply nutrients, insecticides, herbicides based on the readings from infrared cameras mounted on the application equipment all in real time.  Ntech Industries sells GreenSeeker which applies nutrients as required and WeedSeeker which applies herbicides as require.  Tec5 USA Inc manufactures systems  that are mounted on tractors, sprayers etc. to apply chemicals.

Emissivity of the material must be considered.  (see Factors affecting Thermal Infrared Images)