Applicability and efficiency of remote sensing of agricultural areas

Asparuh Atanasov, Gallina Mihova and Radko Mihaylov

Abstract: The tendencies in the development of digital equipment and the use of artificial intellect have lead to the introduction of a large number of broad-range innovative products. The problem is in the specific interpretation of the results and accumulation of knowledge on the use of the obtained data. The goals are opening opportunities for sustainable management of the production processes, choice of suitable technology solutions, taking into account the climatic changes, the uncertain phytopathological environment, and preservation of the soils as an invaluable resource. The aims of this investigation were: 1) Following the dynamics of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index during the phenological development of common winter wheat under the conditions of Dobrudzha region; 2) Generating comparative data to be used during the developmental stages and for outlining tendencies in future observations; 3) Checking the possibilities to use UAV for precise agriculture and the applicability of NIR camera for early detection of stress. The study was carried out at the trial field of Dobrudzha Agricultural Institute – General Toshevo municipality (43.657963, 28.023110). The phenological development and the formation of productivity during harvest year 2020 – 2021 was evaluated. The possibility to generate a tendency in the change of the curves of the main vegetation indices, of NDVI most of all, was confirmed. The dynamics of NDVI during the phenological development of wheat was followed, and a maximum of 0.5 was registered during the heading stage. Opportunities for evaluation of abiotic and biotic type of stress were identified – late spring frosts and occurrence of yellow rust. The change curves of generated vegetation indices during the vegetative growth of wheat were compared. Similarity in the trends was found between NDVI, EVI 2, MGVRI and SAVI, as well as of VARI, based on the visible light. The comparison between the values of NDVI at fly-over with a UAV and the data from satellite observations revealed similarities. The former are more suitable for the purposes of precise agriculture because they provide a more detailed picture.

Keywords: Applicability and efficiency of remote sensing of agricultural areas

Date published: 2022-10-17