Multispectral and thermographic images for monitoring the water conditions of sugarcane

Abstract

Among the main production chains in the state of São Paulo, sugarcane stands out, with the cultivation of extensive areas and economic importance for sugar, ethanol and bioenergy production. One of the techniques that permeate sugarcane crops in large areas and can contribute to higher productivity and production quality is irrigation. Therefore, it is essential to know the different irrigation management that can be applied in extensive areas aimed at the efficient use of water and considering the water status and plant development. In this sense, remote sensing brought benefits for sugarcane cultivation with studies of biomass estimation, plant growth and vigor, but few studies have shown results on monitoring the water status of the plant aiming at irrigation management possibilities considering the water deficit of plants. In this context, this study evaluated alternatives for monitoring the water status of sugarcane with the use of thermographic and multispectral cameras embedded in an unmanned aerial vehicle. The evaluations allowed recording differences between irrigated treatments compared to treatments without irrigation in the two cameras used. Thermographic images can evaluate the water status of sugarcane plants quickly, nondestructively and efficiently.