"method for determining tree vigor of apple using drone in high density planting"

Abstract

To solve the problem that it takes labor and time and it is difficult to cover a wide range by a conventional method though it is important to rapidly and accurately grasp the health state and growth state of each tree in the high-density planting cultivation of apples. In addition, since the number of agricultural workers is decreasing due to decreasing population, it is required to perform agricultural work efficiently in order to maintain the production amount.SOLUTION: The present invention provides a new tree power determination method using a drone and an image analysis technique. The drone automatically flies using the GPS and captures a high-resolution aerial photograph from above the tree crown of the apple. The captured aerial photograph is analyzed by an image analysis system, and the color and shape of the tree crown and the density of leaves are evaluated to determine the tree vigor. The analysis result is visually displayed so that the farmer can easily understand it, and based on this, it is possible to appropriately adjust the management of the fertilizer application and the fruit-bearing amount.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Agricultural drone technology: This relates to the application of drones in agriculture, and to crop monitoring and management systems using drones.

[0002] Image analysis technology: This relates to image analysis technology from aerial photographs, particularly image processing algorithms for assessing plant health and growth conditions.

[0003] Fruit tree cultivation techniques: This relates to fruit tree cultivation techniques for apples, and is related to efficient tree vigor management methods in high-density planting.

[0004] Smart agriculture technology: This relates to data collection and analysis technology in agricultural management systems, and is related to advanced agricultural management methods that combine drones and data analysis as part of smart agriculture. [Background technology]

[0005] In recent years, there has been a demand for more efficient and precise techniques in the agricultural sector. In particular, apple cultivation methods are beginning to shift from the traditional malva cultivation to high-density planting. High-density planting is an extremely important technique because it increases the yield per unit area and contributes to the efficiency of agricultural management. Furthermore, in the current situation where the number of people working in agriculture is decreasing due to a declining population, it is necessary to increase the yield per area in order to maintain production.

[0006] In high-density planting, more apple trees are planted densely in a limited space, making it more important than ever to quickly and accurately grasp the health and growth status of each tree. Conventional methods for determining tree vigor include measuring the length of new shoots and using a SPAD meter to measure the chlorophyll content of leaves. While these methods have been effective to a certain extent, they have limitations in terms of quickly collecting and analyzing large amounts of data over a wide area.

[0007] In response to this, advances in drone technology have shown the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of crop monitoring and management. Drones can quickly scan large areas of farmland and obtain highly accurate aerial photographs. Furthermore, advances in image analysis technology have made it possible to analyze these aerial photographs to automatically assess plant health and growth.

[0008] In particular, in the case of high-density apple cultivation, proper management of the health of each tree has a significant impact on the yield and quality of the fruit, so there is a need to develop a new method for assessing tree vigor that combines drones and image analysis technology.

[0009] In densely planted apple cultivation, it is important to quickly and accurately grasp the health and growth status of each tree. However, conventional methods require measuring shoot length and leaf chlorophyll content using a SPAD meter, which requires a great deal of time and effort. Furthermore, these methods have limitations in terms of quickly collecting and analyzing large amounts of data over a wide area.

[0010] Furthermore, with the current situation in which the number of people working in agriculture is decreasing due to a declining population, there is a need to maintain production volume while carrying out farm work efficiently. In particular, in high-density planting, it is important to maximize the yield per unit area, and to do so, it is necessary to accurately monitor the condition of each tree and manage it appropriately.

[0011] To solve these problems, the present invention provides a new method for assessing tree vigor that utilizes drones and image analysis technology. By using drones, it is possible to scan a wide area of ​​farmland in a short time and obtain highly accurate aerial photographs. Furthermore, by using image analysis technology, it is possible to automatically analyze the aerial photographs and evaluate the color, shape, and leaf density of the tree crown to assess tree vigor. Effects of the Invention

[0012] This allows farmers to save time and effort while carrying out appropriate farming work based on accurate data. Based on the results of tree vigor assessment, farmers can adjust fertilization and fruit production management appropriately, thereby increasing yields and improving quality. Example 1

[0013] As an example of the present invention, tree vigor in high-density apple cultivation was evaluated according to the following procedure.

[0014] In an apple orchard, a drone was used to take aerial photographs from the apple tree canopy, equipped with a multispectral camera that captured images at multiple wavelengths, including visible and near-infrared light.

[0015] The aerial photographs were analyzed by an image analysis system that calculated NDVI and assessed tree vigor using algorithms that evaluated canopy color, shape, and leaf density. The results were output as a map showing the health of each tree.

[0016] To confirm the drone analysis results, the researchers measured chlorophyll concentrations of the same trees in the field using a chlorophyll meter. SPAD values, an indicator of leaf health, were measured at multiple locations.

[0017] The correlation between NDVI values ​​obtained from the image analysis system, SPAD measurements, and shoot length was analyzed. As a result, a correlation was found between NDVI values ​​and SPAD values, and a high correlation was also confirmed with shoot length. This confirmed that tree vigor assessment using drone analysis is consistent with on-site SPAD measurements and shoot length growth. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] To implement the method of the present invention in large-scale, high-density apple orchards, a drone is used to navigate autonomously using GPS. The drone automatically flies along a designated flight path and captures high-resolution aerial photographs from above the apple tree canopy. The drone can efficiently cover high-density apple tree areas.

[0019] The aerial photographs are sent to an image analysis system, which uses algorithms such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to analyze the color, shape, and leaf density of the tree crown to assess tree vigor. NDVI is an index used to assess plant health and reflects the chlorophyll content of leaves.

[0020] The analysis results are displayed on an interface for farmers to use. This interface visually shows the tree vigor evaluation results and is designed to be easy for farmers to understand. Based on the evaluation results, farmers can make appropriate adjustments to fertilization and fruit production management. [Industrial Applicability]

[0021] The present invention relates to a method for assessing the vigor of apple trees in high-density planting cultivation, and by using drones and image analysis technology to evaluate tree vigor, it is possible to improve the efficiency and accuracy of agricultural work. This technology has the following industrial applicability.

[0022] First, in the agricultural field, particularly in apple cultivation, the technology of this invention can significantly reduce labor and time. Aerial photography and image analysis using drones allows farmers to quickly assess the health of trees over a wide area, enabling them to efficiently manage tree vigor.

[0023] The present invention also contributes to the efficiency of agricultural management. By managing fertilization and fruit yield based on accurate tree vigor assessment, it is possible to improve harvest yield and fruit quality. This will increase the market value of agricultural products and increase profits.

[0024] Furthermore, the technology of this invention can be applied to other fruit trees and agricultural crops. A tree vigor assessment method that combines drones and image analysis technology will be an effective means of evaluating the health of various agricultural crops and conducting appropriate management.

[0025] In addition, given the current situation where the number of agricultural workers is decreasing due to a declining population, the technology of this invention will be an important tool for efficiently carrying out agricultural work with a small number of people. Through automation and data analysis, it is possible to achieve higher accuracy and efficiency than conventional manual work.

[0026] As described above, the present invention has wide applicability in the agricultural field and is a technology that contributes to improving the efficiency and accuracy of agricultural work and increasing profits.

Claims

1. A method for determining the vigor of apple trees in high-density planting cultivation, comprising the steps of taking aerial photographs of a field using a drone and determining the vigor of the trees using an image analysis system for analyzing the aerial photographs taken, and applying this determination of tree vigor in high-density planting cultivation, in which tree vigor is determined by analyzing the color of apple leaves, to large-scale cultivation.

2. 2. The method for assessing tree vigor of apple trees grown in high-density planting cultivation according to claim 1, wherein the image analysis system evaluates tree vigor using NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index).

3. 2. The method for determining the vigor of apple trees in high-density planting cultivation according to claim 1, wherein the aerial photographs are taken using a multispectral camera that uses light of a plurality of different wavelengths.