DIGITAL IMAGING FROM AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT: SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS AND CONSTRAINTS FOR INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT, WEED DETECTION, AND DETERMINATION OF CROP STATUS

摘要

Three imaging systems are being evaluated for potential use in agricultural aircraft as tools for remote sensing. The first imaging system uses a digital video camera with interchangeable filters. This system was evaluated for its preliminary capability in mapping and distinguishing weeds, developing vegetative index maps, and locating areas of insect infestation. Images for distinguishing weeds were successfully classified using ENVI 3.4 image analysis software. Normahzed Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was estimated from two flight passes using digital video, but further study will be needed to determine the suitability of matching multiple field images for deriving vegetative indices. A second system using a high-resolution still-digital camera was evaluated for pilot controls, and modifications were proposed to facilitate positional accuracy for imaging. A third system for the spray plane is the DuncanTech MS-3100 three-band digital imaging camera, ordered in a color-infrared configuration. This system is being evaluated, and an on-board computer is being constmcted for use in the spray plane.