Dr. Olga Walsh, Principal Investigator, Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center (WTARC)

Objectives:

  • To evaluate the Multirotor Ready to Fly Kit X4 unmanned aerial system for precision crop sensing, and

  • To compare the unmanned aerial system with ground-based handheld sensor

    – GreenSeeker 505 – for collection of spectral reflectance data

PROPOSED Materials and Methods:

The following materials and methods were proposed for this project:

“In order to initiate this project, 2 members of precision nutrient management team at MSU will be thoroughly trained and will obtain the UAV-related pilot license mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for everyone involved in operation of drones for research purposes. This ensures the proper use of the equipment, high quality data to be collected, as well as safety of the personnel.

The crop reflectance measurements will be collected from currently established soil nutrient management studies near Conrad, MT utilizing the UAV - Multirotor Ready to Fly Kit X4 (Aerial Precision Ag., Phoenix, AZ) equipped with a multi-spectral camera - and ground-based optical sensor – GreenSeeker 505 (Trimble Navigation Ltd, Ukiah, CA). The spectral measurements will be taken three times during the growing season: at early tillering (Feekes 2- 3), late tillering (Feekes 5-6), and flowering (Feekes 10.5). The GreenSeeker sensor enables collecting NDVI data at 200 readings per second while the sensor is scanning the crop. The GreenSeeker will be mounted on an all terrain vehicle (ATV) equipped with speed control. The drone’s GoPro multi-spectral camera allows capturing multispectral image data at specific frequencies across the electromagnetic spectrum. The wavelengths (red and near-infrared) will be separated by provided filters.

To make the collected data as comparable as possible, the following methodology will be utilized:

    • The data will be collected by flying the drone at the set height of 2 feet from the crop canopy. The GreenSeeker sensor height of 2 feet from crop canopy will be maintained while scanning the crop.

    • The ATV’s and the drone’s speed will be set at 5 miles per hour.

    • The readings using the drone and the GreenSeeker will be collected simultaneously to minimize variability in NDVI associated with environmental factors such as leaf curling due to heat.

    • The readings will be collected in the presence of sufficient light (early morning, clear skies) to accommodate the multi-spectral

The NDVI-based maps of field experiments will be created using the GreenSeeker and drone- derived reflectance data. The collected NDVI will be incorporated in the database of crop reflectance measurements and utilized for building a sensor-based N optimization algorithm for Montana conditions and wheat varieties. In addition, the collected spectral reflectance data and aerial images will be used for extensive outreach activities, such as creating educational materials, blog posts, grower seminars and workshops and field demonstrations and field days.”

Project Results and Relevancy to Montana

The project was not initiated due to uncertainty in the FAA the regulations and guidelines for UAV systems use, especially in the area of agriculture. Several legal cases have been brought against ag producers flying drones over their fields. Several growers have been fined over $10,000 for simply surveying and taking the pictures of their fields using a drone. Prior to 2014, the FAA had especially restricted the use of drones for profit; for example, crop consultants could not legally fly drones over their clients fields and charge for this service, however the growers themselves were allowed to use drones within the boundaries of their own land. At a 2013 international meeting on UAVs, the official representatives for the Unmanned Vehicle Aerial Systems International has presented the new more restrictive regulations. These regulations included banning ag producers from legally flying drones even within their land boundaries, since their farming operations fall under enterprise use. They also stated that the initial legalization of drone use for agricultural purposes anticipated in 2015 most likely be postponed. This was due to several serious accidents that enhanced the safety concerns and prompted the need for further more thorough review of the standards. A decision has been made not to establish the UAV project due to these uncertainties.

2014 has brought new developments in this area, including the statements that the FAA is back on track of probably approving the general use of drones for agriculture, as well as allowing several commercial companies to fly the drones within the United States. We anticipate that in a year or two, once these guidelines are firmly in place, the proposed project may be successfully implemented.

 

Termination Date: September 2014.