Estimating biophysical properties of coffee (Coffea canephora) plants with above-canopy field measurements, using CropSpec®
Abstract
Remote sensing technologies have been applied to many crops, but tree crops like Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) under shade conditions require additional attention while making above-canopy measurements. The objective of this study was to determine how well chlorophyll and nitrogen status of Robusta coffee plants can be estimated with the laser-based (CropSpec®) active sensor. This study also identified appropriate vegetation indices for estimating Nitrogen content by above-canopy measurement, using near-infra red and red-edge bands. Varying light intensity and different background of the plants were considered in developing the indices. Field experiments were conducted involving different non-destructive tools (CropSpec® and SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter). Subsequently, Kjeldahl laboratory analyses were performed to determine the actual Nitrogen content of the plants with different ages and field conditions used in the non-destructive previous stage. Measurements were undertaken for assessing the biophysical properties of tree plant. The usefulness of near-infrared and red-edge bands from these sensors in measuring critical nitrogen levels of coffee plants by above-canopy measurement are investigated in this study.
- Publication:
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International Agrophysics
- Pub Date:
- April 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1515/intag-2017-0009
- Bibcode:
- 2018InAgr..32..183P
- Keywords:
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- CropSpec®;
- Coffea canephora;
- above-canopy measurement;
- nitrogen content;
- chlorophyll content