Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #236478
Title: Remote sensing for assessing cotton defoliation, regrowth control and root rot

Author
item Yang, Chenghai
item Greenberg, Shoil
item Everitt, James
item FERNANDEZ, CARLOS - TEXAS A&M SYSTEM,AGRILIFE

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2009
Publication Date: 2/10/2009
Citation: Yang, C., Greenberg, S.M., Everitt, J.H., Fernandez, C.J. 2009. Remote sensing for assessing cotton defoliation, regrowth control and root rot. Meeting Proceedings. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton defoliation and post-harvest destruction are important cultural practices for cotton production. Cotton root rot is a serious and destructive disease that affects cotton yield and lint quality. This paper presents exemplary applications of remote sensing technology for evaluating cotton defoliation and regrowth control methods and for mapping cotton root rot infestations. Results from these studies indicate that remote sensing can be a useful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of cotton defoliation and regrowth control strategies and for detecting and mapping root rot infestations in cotton fields. Compared with traditional visual observations and ground measurements, remote sensing techniques have the potential for effective and accurate assessments of various cotton production operations and pest conditions.

Technical Abstract: Cotton defoliation and post-harvest destruction are important cultural practices for cotton production. Cotton root rot is a serious and destructive disease that affects cotton yield and lint quality. This paper presents exemplary applications of remote sensing technology for evaluating cotton defoliation and regrowth control methods and for mapping cotton root rot infestations. Ground reflectance spectra and airborne color-infrared (CIR) digital imagery were used in these studies. Ground reflectance spectra effectively separated different levels of defoliation and airborne multispectral imagery permitted both visual and quantitative differentiations among defoliation treatments. Both ground reflectance and airborne imagery were able to differentiate cotton regrowth among different herbicide treatments for cotton stalk destruction. Airborne imagery accurately identified root rot areas within cotton fields. Results from these studies indicate that remote sensing can be a useful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of cotton defoliation and regrowth control strategies and for detecting and mapping root rot infestations in cotton fields. Compared with traditional visual observations and ground measurements, remote sensing techniques have the potential for effective and accurate assessments of various cotton production operations and pest conditions.