Aerial Imagery
Aerial images have for many years been useful in monitoring plant growth and estimating crop yields. Within the last few years, digital cameras have greatly improved both the spatial resolution and the time of delivery.
O & T Images in association with Soiltest Farm Consultants is providing high resolution digital imagery and film photography to producers in the Columbia Basin. We have developed products designed to:
- examine the soil variability within fields for precision application of nutrients.
- examine the vigor of growing crops.
- examine the nitrogen variation within a field.
- measure the efficiency of center pivot irrigation.
Picture 1 is the Water pattern. The water pattern shows the distribution of water by a center pivot. Further development of this imagery and flow meter measurements are used to compute irrigation efficiency.
Picture 2 is the Nitrogen index. The Nitrogen Index shows the relative amounts of Nitrogen in the leaves of this potato field.
Picture 3 is the Color infra red image (CIR). This is the traditional "infrared" we have used for many years to evaluate vigor in our crops.
Picture 4 is the Vegetation Index. The vegetation index is an enhanced infrared image, which shows in greater detail the difference in vegetative cover. This is a multi-spectral digital image made from the reflected red, green and near infra red light. This image can be used to develop "zones" of different soil Characteristics, which may be coupled with DGPS for selective soil sampling, rather than grid sampling.
