Low-Cost Unmanned Aerial Systems in High Throughput Plant Phenotyping

This work explores the potential utility of low-cost unmanned aerial systems, commonly known as drones, in high throughput phenotyping of crops. In the first study, a multispectral camera is integrated into a consumer grade UAS. Images taken by this system are used to generate vegetation index images. Ultimately the disease resistance of peanuts varieties are ranked and compared with disease incidence observed by humans in the field. In the second study, flight parameters for a stock consumer grade UAS are optimized for resolution and minimal disturbance to the subject, blueberry bushes. Photogrammetry software is used to create digital models of blueberry bushes from which morphological traits are quantified and compared to measurements humans performed in the field. These studied provide strong evidence for utility and power of using drones in high throughput phenotyping for plant disease resistance, morphology, and yield prediction.