Integration of Aerial Imaging and Variable-Rate Technology for Site-Specific Aerial Herbicide Application

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 635-644
Author(s):  
Chenghai Yang ◽  
Daniel E. Martin

Abstract. As remote sensing and variable-rate technology are becoming more available for aerial applicators, practical methodologies for effective integration of these technologies are needed for site-specific aerial applications of crop production and protection materials. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate how to integrate an airborne multispectral imaging system and an IntelliStar variable-rate aerial application system for site-specific management of the winter weed henbit. The airborne imaging system was used to acquire natural color and near-infrared (NIR) images of a fallow field near College Station, Texas, for mapping the infestation of henbit shortly before herbicide application. The images were then rectified, classified, and converted to a binary prescription map with the full application rate on infested areas and the zero rate on non-infested areas. The variable-rate aerial application system mounted on an agricultural aircraft was used to apply glyphosate over the field based on the prescription map. Airborne imagery was collected 14 days after the herbicide application. The as-applied map along with the prescription map and the post-application imagery were used to assess the performance of the site-specific application. Spatial and statistical analysis results showed that the imaging system was effective for mapping henbit infestations and for assessing the performance of site-specific herbicide application, and that the variable-rate system accurately delivered the product at the desired rate to the prescribed areas for effective control of the weed. The methodology and results from this study will be useful for aerial applicators to incorporate airborne imaging and variable-rate application systems into their aerial application business to increase their capabilities and profits. Keywords: Aerial application, As-applied map, Henbit, Imaging system, Prescription map, Variable-rate technology.

Drones ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Daniel Martin ◽  
Vijay Singh ◽  
Mohamed A. Latheef ◽  
Muthukumar Bagavathiannan

This study was designed to determine whether a remotely piloted aerial application system (RPAAS) could be used in lieu of a backpack sprayer for post-emergence herbicide application. Consequent to this objective, a spray mixture of tap water and fluorescent dye was applied on Palmer amaranth and ivyleaf morningglory using an RPAAS at 18.7 and 37.4 L·ha−1 and a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer at a 140 L·ha−1 spray application rate. Spray efficiency (the proportion of applied spray collected on an artificial sampler) for the RPAAS treatments was comparable to that for the backpack sprayer. Fluorescent spray droplet density was significantly higher on the adaxial surface for the backpack sprayer treatment than that for the RPAAS platforms. The percent of spray droplets on the abaxial surface for the RPAAS aircraft at 37.4 L·ha−1 was 4-fold greater than that for the backpack sprayer at 140 L·ha−1. The increased spray deposition on the abaxial leaf surfaces was likely caused by rotor downwash and wind turbulence generated by the RPAAS which caused leaf fluttering. This improved spray deposition may help increase the efficacy of contact herbicides. Test results indicated that RPAASs may be used for herbicide application in lieu of conventional backpack sprayers.


EDIS ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Ehsani ◽  
Arnold Schumann ◽  
Masoud Salyani

AE444, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Reza Ehsani, Arnold Schumann, and Masoud Salyani, describes this important site-specific management component of precision agriculture which provides economic benefits to growers while reducing the application of agrochemicals. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2009.


2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 849-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenghai Yang ◽  
Gary N. Odvody ◽  
J. Alex Thomasson ◽  
Thomas Isakeit ◽  
Richard R. Minzenmayer ◽  
...  

Abstract. Cotton root rot is a century-old cotton disease that now can be effectively controlled with Topguard Terra fungicide. Because this disease tends to occur in the same general areas within fields in recurring years, site-specific application of the fungicide only to infested areas can be as effective as and considerably more economical than uniform application. The overall objective of this research was to demonstrate how site-specific fungicide application could be implemented based on historical remote sensing imagery and using variable-rate technology. Procedures were developed for creating binary prescription maps from historical airborne and high-resolution satellite imagery. Two different variable-rate liquid control systems were adapted to two existing cotton planters, respectively, for site-specific fungicide application at planting. One system was used for site-specific application on multiple fields in 2015 and 2016 near Edroy, Texas, and the other system was used on multiple fields in both years near San Angelo, Texas. Airborne multispectral imagery taken during the two growing seasons was used to monitor the performance of the site-specific treatments. Results based on prescription maps derived from historical airborne and satellite imagery of two fields in 2015 and one field in 2016 are reported in this article. Two years of field experiments showed that the prescription maps and the variable-rate systems performed well and that site-specific fungicide treatments effectively controlled cotton root rot. Reduction in fungicide use was 41%, 43%, and 63% for the three fields, respectively. The methodologies and results of this research will provide cotton growers, crop consultants, and agricultural dealers with practical guidelines for implementing site-specific fungicide application using historical imagery and variable-rate technology for effective management of cotton root rot. Keywords: Airborne imagery, Cotton root rot, High-resolution satellite imagery, Prescription map, Variable-rate application.


2010 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J. Thomson ◽  
Yanbo Huang ◽  
James E. Hanks ◽  
Daniel E. Martin ◽  
Lowrey A. Smith

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 923-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Beckie ◽  
S. Shirriff

Beckie, H. J. and Shirriff, S. 2012. Site-specific wild oat ( Avena fatua L.) management. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 923–931. Variation in soil properties, such as soil moisture, across a hummocky landscape may influence wild oat emergence and growth. To evaluate wild oat emergence, growth, and management according to landscape position, a study was conducted from 2006 to 2010 in a hummocky field in the semiarid Moist Mixed Grassland ecoregion of Saskatchewan. The hypothesis tested was that wild oat emergence and growth would be greater in lower than upper slope positions under normal or dry early growing season conditions. Three herbicide treatments were imposed on the same plots each year of a 2-yr canola (Brassica napus L.) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) sequence: (1) nontreated (weedy) control; (2) herbicide application to upper and lower slope positions (i.e., full or blanket application); and (3) herbicide application to lower slope position only. Slope position affected crop and weed densities before in-crop herbicide application in years with dry spring growing conditions. Site-specific wild oat herbicide application in hummocky fields in semiarid regions may be justified based on results of wild oat control averaged across slope position. In year 2 of the crop sequence (wheat), overall (i.e., lower and upper slope) wild oat control based on density, biomass, and dockage (i.e., seed return) was similar between site-specific and full herbicide treatment in 2 of 3 yr. Because economic thresholds have not been widely adopted by growers in managing wild oat, site-specific treatment in years when conditions warrant may be an appropriate compromise between no application and blanket herbicide application.


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