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Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2003 Publication Date: 8/20/2003 Citation: Martin, F.N. 2003. Using remote sensing for evaluating the efficacy of alternative fumigation strategies in california strawberry production.. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting. Interpretive Summary: This abstract describes the use of measurements of light reflectance off of plants to evaluate the health of strawberry plants. Data is collected on the ground and by camera systems mounted in airplanes and will be compared with yield data to determine the relationship between plant growth, reflectance of specific wavelengths of light, and yield. Technical Abstract: With the pending phase-out of methyl bromide the California strawberry industry is currently evaluating alternative fumigants and production practices for management of soilborne pests. Remote sensing is being used to assist in these evaluations as well as provide growers with additional tools for making crop management decisions. Data on plant growth (biomass and leaf area), and canopy reflectance was collected at various intervals during the season from replicated subplots within each fumigation treatment and compared to total fruit harvest during the 6 month harvest season in an effort to model the relationship among these parameters. Plant canopy data also was collected from replicated 1-3 acre production blocks for each fumigation treatment and compared to the commercial marketable fruit harvested by the grower. Calibrated, georeferenced aerial images of the production fields collected at 4-6 week intervals were used to calculate vegetation indices and model how changes in a field over time relate to crop productivity. |
