Trimble UAV used to revolutionise Potato Growth Yield
The James Hutton Institute, in Invergowrie, Scotland have been utilising the Trimble UX5 UAV in conjunction with Trimble V10 imaging rovers to optimize plant health monitoring.
Plant phenotyping and monitoring allows the comprehensive assessment of complex traits by evaluating and measuring the contributing individual parameters. Ankush Prashar and Glenn Bryan from The James Hutton Institute and Hamlyn Jones from University of Dundee, in collaboration with Survey Solutions Scotland are using the Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging rover, equipped with NIR, and RGB sensors to explore the feasibility of using 3D imaging in potato field trials for quantitative assessment of potato crop growth and development.
Integration of both the UAV mounted and the V10 ground based 360° panoramic view cameras allow for measurement of morphological plant characteristics at different developmental stages. The photogrammetric processing of both aerial and ground based mosaics is performed, and measurement deliverables created using Trimble Business Center software. The data relating to these characteristics help monitor crop growth, crop development and to model canopy development for understanding the association with biomass, yield and crop phenology. This is invaluable for future breeding programs as plant architecture reflects crop adaptation to the environment and its effect on yield and yield forming parameters.
The James Hutton Institute is an internationally networked organisation and operates from multiple sites, including two main ones in Scotland. It employs more than 600 scientists and support staff, making it one of the biggest research centres in the UK and the first of its type in Europe. The institute is one of the Scottish Government’s main research providers in environmental, crop and food science and will have a major role in the Scottish knowledge economy.
Survey Solutions Scotland are the Authorised Distributor for Trimble Survey and Engineering products for Scotland.
