Remote sensing from RPAS in agriculture: An overview of expectations and unanswered questions

Abstract

Agriculture and Remote Sensing (RS) have shared a long common story. Spectral properties of vegetation can be related to many phenol-/physiological parameters of crop. The recent technology advance has made available for users both low cost multispectral sensors and platforms (Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems, RPAS). In Precision Farming the current moment is crucial, since scientists have still not answered all the questions concerning performances of RS+RPAS systems, nor consistency of costs with those required by the low profit agricultural sector. We, firstly, try to lists the main tasks that are expected from RS+RPAS in agriculture (energy balance and thermal remote sensing excluded). Finally a discussion is opened about those critical aspects that, in our opinion, make the current adoption of RS+RPAS still unreliable, or not still proper, in agriculture.