Improving the determination of plant characteristics by fusion of four different sensors

Abstract

Many different sensors have been proposed to estimate plant status parameters like nutrition status, coverage or plant size. Such parameters are key factors for precise management. This study combined four different sensors in a field trial with spring barley and oil seed rape. The following commercial sensors were used: LiDAR, spectrometer, ultrasonic device, and a commercial opto-electronic device. Spectral indices were calculated from the spectrometer and opto-electronic devices, and plant height from the ultrasonic and LiDAR sensors. A robotic software framework was used for simultaneous measurements with multiple sensors. The fusion of features from multiple sensors permitted the estimation of health status parameters for sensitive plants in a herbicide stress trial.