Author
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WILES, LORI |
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Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 11/26/2010 Publication Date: 12/9/2010 Citation: Wiles, L. 2010. Simple tools and software for precision weed mapping. Meeting Proceedings. CPM Short Course and MCPR Trade show, Minneapolis MN. Dec 7-9, 2010. Interpretive Summary: If you have a color digital camera and a handheld GPS unit, you can map weed problems in your fields. German researchers are perfecting technology to map weed species and density with digital cameras for precision herbicide application. However, the amount green vegetative cover in an image from most color digital cameras can be estimated with simple, free software. A map of weed cover can be generated from a set of images by associating the estimates of green cover with GPS coordinates of the image locations. A simple map of weed cover can be used to monitor the effectiveness of herbicide applications, plan management in following crops, and if you have yield maps, identify areas where weeds are reducing crop yield. In Australia, researchers are investigating mapping weed cover in crops to help manage herbicide resistant weeds. A system designed for mapping weed cover in fallow fields uses free and commercial ($349) software to automate the process of making a map from a set of images. No GIS or image analysis software is needed with this system; you record locations of weed problems by simply taking a picture. The free software includes a simple GIS viewer. The user can select a location on the map to view the associated image to examine weed species and size. The map of weed cover is compatible with other GIS software for generating maps for additional scouting or herbicide treatment. Technical Abstract: Simple Tools and Software for Precision Weed Mapping L. Wiles If you have a color digital camera and a handheld GPS unit, you can map weed problems in your fields. German researchers are perfecting technology to map weed species and density with digital cameras for precision herbicide application. However, the amount green vegetative cover in an image from most color digital cameras can be estimated with simple, free software. A map of weed cover can be generated from a set of images by associating the estimates of green cover with GPS coordinates of the image locations. A simple map of weed cover can be used to monitor the effectiveness of herbicide applications, plan management in following crops, and if you have yield maps, identify areas where weeds are reducing crop yield. In Australia, researchers are investigating mapping weed cover in crops to help manage herbicide resistant weeds. A system designed for mapping weed cover in fallow fields uses free and commercial ($349) software to automate the process of making a map from a set of images. No GIS or image analysis software is needed with this system; you record locations of weed problems by simply taking a picture. The free software includes a simple GIS viewer. The user can select a location on the map to view the associated image to examine weed species and size. The map of weed cover is compatible with other GIS software for generating maps for additional scouting or herbicide treatment. |
