Aerial and Ground Based Imagery Techniques for Evaluation of NTEP Variety Trials.

Remote sensing technologies are quickly being adapted for use in commercial precision agriculture. Aerial and ground based technologies promise to revolutionize plant health monitoring and the resulting input management systems. Yet the lack of basic and applied research has hindered the adaptation of similar technologies within turf systems.

Visual rating methods are often used to determine turf health and quality; however, these assessments are prone to bias and inconsistency. Vegetative indexes (VI), derived from spectral reflectance characteristics, and color analysis techniques are less subjective and may supplement visual methods. Research was conducted to compare visual rating techniques with VI’s derived from standard spectral analysis equipment used by turfgrass professionals as well as two aerial based platforms.

Visual ratings and spectral reflectance measurements were taken during 2014 and 2015 spring green-up of the 2013 National Turfgrass Evaluation Protocol (NTEP) bermudagrass test with the objective of comparing evaluation methods and gauging bermudagrass emergence from winter dormancy.  The experiment was planted June 28, 2013 near Starkville, MS. 

Results indicate utility of aerial imagery; although, treatment differences were not as easily detected as when data was gathered from ground based systems. Ambient light and cloud cover significantly hampered the effectiveness of the two aerial systems. Data processing was required for all measurement devices and is the largest impediment to commercial adaptation. Varietal differences in spring recovery will be discussed.