57. Optimizing peach management based on hyperspectral and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology

The purpose of this research was to examine and monitor factors affecting peach cultivation as a part of an overall research program for developing Integrated Pest Management strategies. Potassium fertilization and the practice of root-collar excavation have proven effective in increasing yield and fruit quality and in extending orchard longevity on infested replant sites, respectively. Remote sensing has been proven to be an effective technology for monitoring crop conditions at field scale. Thus, hyperspectral imagery collected from a UAV was used to assess the effect on the peach spectral signature of two foliar potassium spray rates and two soil management treatments as well as the damage produced by peach rust. Significant differences in peach canopy hyperspectral profiles were observed in all analysis performed, i.e. according to the K-treatments; to the soil managements; and to the severity classes. In addition, the image wavebands that efficiently discriminated the evaluated factors were identified.