Monitoring Electrical Conductivity Effects on
Greenhouse Tomatoes with Remote Sensing
Mohammed Al-Shitawy,
MS Student, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
The ability of reflectance sensors to
detect plant response to electrical conductivity (EC) treatments is under
evaluation. A robotic gantry was constructed that transported a
multi-spectral sensor along two rows of tomato plants in the
greenhouse. Four reflectance bands (blue, green, red, and NIR) and
one thermal band (TIR) were used to detect plant response to root zone
salinity. The reflectance measurements indicated a significant response to
salinity over time. Spatial variation of reflectance measurements
was evaluated, and measurements were correlated with in-situ plant
measurements. A thermal radiometer was also carried by the cart to
measure plant canopy temperature within the different root zone salinity
treatments. Relationships between salinity treatments, air
temperature, and plant temperature will be determined. In addition
to the visible, near infrared, and thermal ranges in the greenhouse, some
tomato leaves are harvested each week and are evaluated for absorbance
between 1100 and 2500 nm in the laboratory.
Cooperators: Dr. Peter
Waller, ABE, Dr. Chieri Kubota, PLS, and Dr. Gene Giacomelli,
ABE
Completed 2004 |
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