Crop Health Imaging Program
In 2010, Beck's will continue to evaluate crop health imaging on an expanded but limited, basis to further determine the value of using the technology. Crop health imaging is remote sensing that uses aerial photography and light source reflectance technology to offer geo-referenced crop health images. Aerial cameras are used to acquire digital, infrared, and near-infrared aerial pictures of crops. When used appropriately, this aerial imagery can reveal a great deal about crop conditions during the growing season.
The "birds eye" view that a crop health image provides combined with field knowledge, allows growers to better understand factors that can affect yield. This technology enhances the ability to be proactive and identify site-specific
problem areas before yield loss possibly occurs. Crop health imaging identifies variability in crop health and biomass which can be used to pinpoint crop stressors and accurately have the ability to monitor crop health during the growing season and eventually yield potential. Beck's crop health imaging offers accurate detail and clarity by utilizing imagery at one yard resolution.
How does this technology work? Plants absorb and reflect different wave spectrums of light. By knowing absorption and
reflectance levels of both infrared and near-infrared values (as seen in Figure 2), plant health and yield potential can be determined.
Figure 2. Normalized Difference in Vegetative Index (NDVI) on left,
compared to Near-Infrared on right.
Chlorophyll absorbs red spectrums of light, so low reflectance values indicate healthy plants. Conversely, healthy
plants will reflect light in the near-infrared band and when plants are under stress, red band reflectance increases and near-infrared reflectance decreases. By knowing the difference between these values, the Normalized Difference in Vegetative Index (NDVI)(Figure 3) can be determined.
Figure 3. NDVI crop health image, Central Illinois
The cameras that Beck's Hybrids use to acquire crop health imaging can accurately depict these
levels and therefore, predict crop variability.
If you have further questions or would like more information about crop health imaging, please contact your local Beck's representative.
