Remote sensing for the detection of soil-borne plant parasitic nematodes and fungal pathogens

Abstract

This chapter reviews past developments and the present state-of-the-art remote sensing for the detection of soil-borne nematodesnematodes and plant pathogenspathogens soil-borne. Nematodes and soil-borne pathogenspathogens soil-borne are considered ideal targets for the application of precision agriculture with non-contact sensing methodologies. The clustered occurrence and low level of mobility of nematodes and pathogenspathogens soil-borne in the soil and the induction of symptoms in the leaves make them perfect targets for remote sensing detection. Data obtained with infrared thermography and hyperspectral reflectance for the remote sensing of plant parasitic nematodes and root rotting fungi in sugar beetsugar beet as well as delineation of complex-disease interactions is also presented. The management of these two pest groups usually relies on full field pesticide treatments, even when only a small section of the field is infested. This underscores the need for remote sensing of disease clusters and the resulting application of site-specific management Site-specific management (SSM).