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Title: DETECTING STRESS IN GLASSHOUSE PLANTS USING COLOR INFRARED IMAGERY: A POTENTIAL NEW APPLICATION FOR REMOTE SENSING

Author
item SUMMY, KENNETH - UNIV. OF TX-PAN AMERICAN
item LITTLE, C. - UNIV. OF TX-PAN AMERICAN
item Everitt, James
item DAVIS, MICHAEL - 6204-05-00
item FRENCH, VICTOR - TX A&M UNIV-KINGSVILLE
item SCOTT, ANDREW - RIO FARMS, INC.

Submitted to: Subtropical Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/2/2003
Publication Date: 12/10/2003
Citation: Summy, K.R., Little, C.R., Everitt, J.H., Davis, M.R., French, V.J., Scott, A.A. 2003. Detecting stress in glasshouse plants using color infrared imagery: a potential new application for remote sensing. Subtropical Plant Science. 55(1):51-58.

Interpretive Summary: Color-infrared (CIR) film has been used extensively for detecting plant stress. Despite the demonstrated effectiveness of CIR film for monitoring conditions in field crops, little effort has been made to develop remote sensing techniques suitable for use in commercial glasshouse operations. A study was conducted to evaluate CIR film for detecting physiological stress in plants located within glasshouse structures. Results showed that CIR photography could be used for detecting nitrogen stress in cucumbers and distinguishing citrus foliage damaged by mites. These findings should be of interest to the horticulture industry.

Technical Abstract: Studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of color-infrared (CIR) film for detecting physiological stress located within glasshouse structures. Spectroradiometer measurements obtained within and outside of a greenhouse constructed of polycarbonate plastic indicated no significant attenuation or disruption of visible and near-infrared radiation entering the structure. CIR photographs of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings obtained within the greenhouse were comparable in quality to those obtained outside the structure, and clearly distinguished between foliage of healthy plants and those subjected to a moderate level of nitrogen stress. In CIR imagery of a trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliate) tree obtained within a greenhouse constructed of yellow fiberglass panels, leaves damaged by citrus red mites (Eutetranychus banksi) were distinguishable from healthy foliage, and the distribution of damaged leaves on the tree itself was clearly evident. These results suggest that remote sensing techniques which have been used successfully to monitor conventional field crops are readily extendable to the commercial glasshouse environment with certain modifications.