Potential Non-Invasive Technique for Accessing Plant Water Contents Using a Radar System

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

Authors

Luís Carlos Santos (Author) Other; Filipe Neves dos Santos (Author) FEUP; Raul Morais (Author) Other; Cândido Duarte (Author) FEUP

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: AGRONOMY-BASEL

Pages: 1-279

ISSN: 2073-4395

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-BWF

DOI: 10.3390/agronomy11020279

Abstract (EN): Sap flow measurements of trees are today the most common method to determine evapotranspiration at the tree and the forest/crop canopy level. They provide independent measurements for flux comparisons and model validation. The most common approach to measure the sap flow is based on intrusive solutions with heaters and thermal sensors. This sap flow sensor technology is not very reliable for more than one season crop; it is intrusive and not adequate for low diameter trunk trees. The non-invasive methods comprise mostly Radio-frequency (RF) technologies, typically using satellite or air-born sources. This system can monitor large fields but cannot measure sap levels of a single plant (precision agriculture). This article studies the hypothesis to use of RF signals attenuation principle to detect variations in the quantity of water present in a single plant. This article presents a well-defined experience to measure water content in leaves, by means of high gains RF antennas, spectrometer, and a robotic arm. Moreover, a similar concept is studied with an off-the-shelf radar solution-for the automotive industry-to detect changes in the water presence in a single plant and leaf. The conclusions indicate a novel potential application of this technology to precision agriculture as the experiments data is directly related to the sap flow variations in plant.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16