Abstract
Aim of study: For baby-leaf lettuces greenhouse cultivations the absence of weeds is a mandatory quality requirement. One of the most promising and innovative technologies in weed research, is the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (or drones) equipped with acquisition systems. The aim of this study was to provide an estimation of the exact weed amount on baby-sized red lettuce beds using a light drone equipped with an RGB microcamera.Area of study: Trials were performed at specialized organic farm site in Eboli (Salerno, Italy), under polyethylene multi-tunnel greenhouse.Material and methods: The RGB images acquired were processed with specific algorithms distinguishing weeds from crop yields, estimating the weeds covered surface and the severity of weed contamination in terms of biomass. A regression between the percentage of the surface covered by weed (with respect to the image total surface) and the weight of weed (with respect to the total harvested biomass) was calculated.Main results: The regression between the total cover values of the 25 calibration images and the total weight measured report a significant linear correlation. Digital monitoring was able to capture with accuracy the highly variable weed coverage that, among the different grids positioned under real cultivation conditions, was in the range 0-16.4% of the total cultivated one.Research highlights: In a precision weed management context, with the aim of improving management and decreasing the use of pesticides, this study provided an estimation of the exact weed amount on baby-sized red lettuce beds using a light drone.
Highlights
Baby-leaf lettuces (Lactuca sativa L.) are required by the high-convenience food industry to be packaged, as single or mixed ingredient, in minimally processed salads (Martínez-Sánchez et al, 2012)
The aim of this study was to provide an estimation of the exact weed amount on baby-sized red lettuce beds using a light drone equipped with an RGB microcamera
Research highlights: In a precision weed management context, with the aim of improving management and decreasing the use of pesticides, this study provided an estimation of the exact weed amount on baby-sized red lettuce beds using a light drone
Summary
Baby-leaf lettuces (Lactuca sativa L.) are required by the high-convenience food industry to be packaged, as single or mixed ingredient, in minimally processed salads (Martínez-Sánchez et al, 2012). Leaves are harvested mechanically by modern baby-leaf harvesters carrying height-adjustable cutter bars, so to preserve yields from wound damages that positively influences the postharvest quality (Martínez-Sánchez et al, 2012; Saini et al, 2017). It assures the uniformity of the leaves, allows to save time in the cool chain and results more remunerative than manual harvesting (Pimpini et al, 2005). Only a harvest per cycle is carried out for this species, contrarily to the fast regrow baby-leaf, such as rocket (Martínez-Sánchez et al, 2008)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
