Abstract: Plant canopy images and temperature are acquired with a wireless computer vision instrument, and the temperature data are qualified and pixels within the image are classified. The instrument includes sensors for measuring plant radiation due to canopy temperature and an imaging sensor which collects data over four bands, a microprocessor to receive and store and process measured data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting data from the microprocessor to a remote receiver. The data are used to detect plant stress and canopy cover percentage and to qualify temperature data accordingly. The data from the sensors provide information for decision support algorithms related to the initiation of automatic irrigation scheduling as a function of crop canopy cover and water stress, the qualification of temperature data used in automatic irrigation scheduling algorithms, and the detection of diseased crops for the purpose of withholding irrigations when yield potential is compromised.

Abstract: Plant canopy temperature and multi-spectral reflectance are measured with a wireless multi-band sensor, and the temperature data are qualified and the spectral reflectance measurements are classified. The multi-band sensor includes sensors for measuring plant canopy temperature radiation and spectral reflectance over five bands, a microprocessor to receive and store measured data, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting data from the microprocessor to a remote receiver, all enclosed within a single housing. The data are used to detect variations in spectral signature due to plant stress (e.g., disease, water stress) and due to soil background and to qualify temperature data accordingly.

Abstract: A ground based remote sensing system for use in conjunction with agricultural irrigation systems. The ground based remote sensing system includes a sensor package mounted to a carriage for movement along a track attached to the agricultural irrigation system. The track is triangular in cross section and includes springs between abutting sections so that travel of the carriage along the track will not be compromised by misalignment between the abutting sections. The sensor package is mounted to the carriage by a mount which acts to ensure that the sensor package remains in a predetermined orientation with respect to the agricultural crop from which data is being gathered. The mount also includes an inclinometer to permit correction of agricultural data gathering errors due to misalignment of the sensor package with respect to the agricultural crop. The ground based remote sensing system also includes conducting rails to transmit energy from a speed control circuit to the carriage motor.