Uncovering K Variations with Multispectral Technology

Showcase | Uncovering K Variations with Multispectral Technology

Precision Agriculture PROJECT

Optimizing field management of an organic carrot farm in the Netherlands, using drone-acquired multispectral imagery and Pix4Dmapper software

KEY BENEFITS

• Multispectral imagery for an added dimension to field scouting • Enables frequent monitoring of plant growth • Uncovers variations in soil composition, such as potassium concentration • Optimizes fertilizer dosage

Data Acquisition HARDWARE & FLIGHTPLAN

• senseFly eBee drone with multiSPEC 4C camera: sensors in Red, Blue, Near-Infrared and Red-Edge bands • Grid flight plan with 80% frontal overlap, 75% side overlap, and 120m altitude

TIME ON SITE

Around 15 minutes

DATASET

176 images (4-band) at 12 cm GSD

COMPARISON WITH TRADITIONAL METHODS

On-site scouting uses visual inspection to assess crop status from the ground. Unfortunately, such ground-based techniques are limited by the viewing angle and spectral constraint of the human eye. Innovative technologies using drones and multispectral imagery have tremendous potential in complementing field scouting and the art of agronomy

Output Results DELIVERABLES

• NDRE (Normalized Difference Red Edge) Index Map for assisting soil sample selection • Shapefile of customized fertilizer application classes for tractor guidance

PROCESSING TIME

Final index map delivered within a day after image acquisition

RESULT ANALYSIS

1. An NDRE index map was calculated, highlighting variations on the field. Two locations, one with high NDRE and one with low NDRE values, were selected for soil sampling. Potassium reserves (K-value), a variable that directly affects the health of the carrots, were measured. Samples revealed 55 ppm for the good areas (high NDRE) and 9 ppm for the bad (low NDRE), with target carrot K-values being 30-40 ppm.

2. Fertilizer will be applied according to the soil sampling results, with low K-value locations receiving a large dose of potassium fertilizer, and high K-value locations receiving a low dose of potassium fertilizer

OVERALL PROJECT DELIVERY

The NDRE Map, generated from Pix4Dmapper’s Index Calculator, assisted in selecting soil sampling locations and the discovery of soil potassium variations, which have a potentially large influence on crop growth and quality. A prescription was administered through the shapefile output.

This targeted K-fertilization reduced the negative environmental impact of K-percolation into groundwater and lowered costs by reducing fertilizer amount

"Interesting to mention is the added value of the imagery, as the agronomists could hardly find the nutrient deficiencies even when the location was known."

Bert Rijk, Aurea Imaging

Prescription map

NDRE map

Client Reference SHOWCASE COURTESY OF:

Aurea Imaging / Agrifirm Plant Discover Pix4Dmapper for free on www.pix4d.com Pix4D SA EPFL Innovation Park - D 1015 Lausanne - Switzerland

Sales inquiries: Phone:

sales@pix4d.com +41 21 552 05 90 www.pix4d.com

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