Applicationsofhighresolutionremotesensingimageryto.docVIP

APPLICATIONS OF HIGH RESOLUTION REMOTE SENSING IMAGERY TO PRECISION CROP AND VITICULTURE MANAGEMENT Graciela Metternicht 1,2, Kate Halloran1 and Craig Baldacchino1 1 Department of Spatial Sciences, Curtin University of Technology GPO Box U 1987, Perth WA 6845. Email: g.metternicht@.au 2 School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia Mawson Lakes, SA 5095 Abstract This research deals with two applications of high resolution multispectral remote sensing in precision crop management: crop yield prediction and precision viticulture. The evidences gathered through this research suggest that high spatial resolution air- (e.g. DMSI) or space-borne multispectral imagery (e.g. Quickbird, Ikonos, OrbView-3) offer great potential to produce base information for precision viticulture management, though the use of such imagery for crop yield prediction in areas of rain fed agriculture offered unsatisfactory results. 1. Introduction Precision crop management is a strategy that uses information technologies to integrate data from multiple resources (e.g. GPS, GIS, combine-mounted yield monitors, remote sensing) on decisions associated to crop production. Remotely sensed imagery provides many opportunities in the development of precision crop management techniques. High spatial resolution air- and satellite-borne imagery can aid in the development of information basis to rapidly map spatial variations in crop productivity, assisting managers to find the causes of such variability so that better management strategies can be implemented. This paper describes research undertaken on two applications of high resolution multispectral remote sensing in precision crop management: crop yield prediction and precision viticulture. The capability to predict crop yield before harvesting is an important factor, as it enables farm managers to change farming practices throughout the growing season in order to maximise profit and yield, while minimising costs. Hallora