The use of qualitative airborne multispectral imaging for managing agricultural crops - a case study in south-eastern Australia

Charles Sturt University has operated an airborne multispectral imaging sys tem as a research support and management tool over south-eastern Australian crops since 1994. Our experiences have demonstrated the utility, timelines s and cost-effectiveness of qualitative multispectral imagery for monitorin g and managing spatial variability in a range of agricultural crops, yet to date the technology remains underutilised in Australia. Images showing var iations in the texture of soils in paddocks are a useful indicator of the l ocation of different soil zones for soil sampling, and can assist in siting of treatment plots within paddocks. Multispectral imagery can be used for a synoptic assessment of early weed pressure in fallow paddocks or seedling crops. Locating variability in crop emergence and, later, canopy vigour an d biomass, are all potentially means of undertaking precision farming witho ut the capital investment associated with yield mapping. However, like any remote monitoring tool, follow-up ground-truthing must always be used to es tablish or confirm the causes of observed variability. The use of the techn ology as part of a greater data acquisition strategy is recommended.