UAV Monitoring Aids Crop Genetics Improvement Projects

high-throughput collection of data from experimental crop plots at each of Rothamsted Research Institute’s sites. The richer data has brought  unique perspectives on crop growth and plant functioning, while extending the Institute’s capabilities for screening crops of different genetic background for performance, nutrition, stress, pathogen and disease responses.

The standard 8 rotor battery powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drone is typically used in the film industry. Of the four cameras two can give a live feed to ground monitors. One camera, which can take videos and stills is on a fixed mounting, pointing forwards, and is used to identify where the camera is flying. The other three cameras are all mounted on a stabilised platform which can be tilted remotely from the transmitter, and comprise a high definition RGB camera, a thermal infra red camera and a hyperspectral camera

Dr Malcolm Hawkesford, lead scientist of the 20:20® Wheat Programme at Rothamsted Research said: “We are very excited to have been able with the support of the BBSRC to obtain this unique equipment. The UAV will be deployed over the full range of crops studied at the institute and will enable detailed evaluations of growth and functioning of the plants. It will enable multiple measurements to be made within a short space of time with pre-programmed low level flight paths. It is anticipated that many thousands of plots will be monitored sequentially or in parallel in blocks in projects currently screening germplasm variation amongst thousands of lines combined with multiple treatments and replications.”