Detection and Measurement of Plant Disease Gradients in Peanut with a Multispectral Radiometer

Abstract

Percent reflectance values, when used as the independent variable, explained 94.6-96.5% of the variation in peanut rust disease severity along rust gradients. Reflectance of sunlight from peanut canopies at 800 nm provided a rapid and objective measurement of disease intensity and the amount of green leaf area contributing to pod yield. Recording percent reflectance offers a means to quantify the benefits obtained from disease control tactics aimed at protecting and maintaining healthy green leaf area from the effects of plant pathogens