Using a Thermal Channel (LWIR) to Assess Crop Conditions and Predict Crop Yields

Abstract

In precision agriculture, thermal remote sensing is considered a promising tool that estimates the surface temperature of vegetation and uses satellite thermal imaging cameras or thermal cameras on unmanned aerial vehicles. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in reviewing of thermal cameras for unmanned aerial vehicles and the use of a heat channel (LWIR) to study the state of crops when monitoring using unmanned aerial vehicles. (Materials and methods) We used scientific literature, materials of domestic and foreign authors, and websites of manufacturers of thermal imaging cameras for unmanned aerial vehicles. (Results and discussion) A modern drone with a thermal imaging camera serves as a platform solution for monitoring agricultural fields. Thermal infrared sensors capture information about the temperature of objects warmer than absolute zero (-273 degrees Celsius/-459 degrees Fahrenheit) at certain wavelengths (the LWIR and MWIR ranges) in an amount proportional to their temperature and generate images that display this temperature. The process of collecting and processing thermal data consists of several stages and varies depending on the suspension equipment and the purpose of the survey. Foreign scientists used thermal images obtained using unmanned aerial vehicles and a thermal camera to assess the state of vegetation cover, crop yields, irrigation systems, to measure water stress, determine the maturity phase of row crops and fruit tree productivity. (Conclusions) The heat channel can be used in the formation of decisions for assessing vegetation cover, crop moisture availability, when planning irrigation systems, determining diseases and infected crops, crop readiness for harvesting and yield mapping.