QVigourMap: A GIS Open Source Application for the Creation of Canopy Vigour Maps

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Lia Duarte (Author) FCUP; Ana Teodoro (Author) FCUP; Sousa, JJ (Author) Other; Padua, L (Author) Other

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: AGRONOMY-BASEL

Vol. 11

Final page: 952

ISSN: 2073-4395

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 18 Citations

Scopus - 19 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-VWX

DOI: 10.3390/agronomy11050952

Abstract (EN): In a precision agriculture context, the amount of geospatial data available can be difficult to interpret in order to understand the crop variability within a given terrain parcel, raising the need for specific tools for data processing and analysis. This is the case for data acquired from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), in which the high spatial resolution along with data from several spectral wavelengths makes data interpretation a complex process regarding vegetation monitoring. Vegetation Indices (VIs) are usually computed, helping in the vegetation monitoring process. However, a crop plot is generally composed of several non-crop elements, which can bias the data analysis and interpretation. By discarding non-crop data, it is possible to compute the vigour distribution for a specific crop within the area under analysis. This article presents QVigourMaps, a new open source application developed to generate useful outputs for precision agriculture purposes. The application was developed in the form of a QGIS plugin, allowing the creation of vigour maps, vegetation distribution maps and prescription maps based on the combination of different VIs and height information. Multi-temporal data from a vineyard plot and a maize field were used as case studies in order to demonstrate the potential and effectiveness of the QVigourMaps tool. The presented application can contribute to making the right management decisions by providing indicators of crop variability, and the outcomes can be used in the field to apply site-specific treatments according to the levels of vigour.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 15