Multispectral Imaging Techniques for Monitoring Vegetative Growth and Health

Electromagnetic radiation reflectance increases dramatically around 700 nm for vegetation. This increase in reflectance is known as the vegetation red edge. The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation index) is an imaging technique for quantifying red edge contrast for the identification of vegetation. This imaging technique relies on reflectance values for radiation with wavelength equal to 680 nm and 830 nm. The imaging systems required to obtain this precise reflectance data are commonly space-based; limiting the use of this technique due to satellite availability and cost. This thesis presents a robust and inexpensive new terrestrial-based method for identifying the vegetation red edge. This new technique does not rely on precise wavelengths or narrow wavelength bands and instead applies the NDVI to the visible and NIR (near infrared) spectrums in toto. The measurement of vegetation fluorescence has also been explored, as it is indirectly related to the efficiency of photochemistry and heat dissipation and provides a relative method for determining vegetation health. The imaging methods presented in this thesis represent a unique solution for the real time monitoring of vegetation growth and senesces and the determination of qualitative vegetation health. A single, inexpensive system capable of field and greenhouse deployment has been developed. This system allows for the early detection of variations in plant growth and status, which will aid production of high quality horticultural crops.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Weekley, Jonathan Gardner

Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair

• Wicks, Alfred L.
• Reinholtz, Charles F.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Nowak, Jerzy
• Meehan, Kathleen

• Multispectral Imaging
• Hyperspectral Imaging
• Computer Vision
• NDVI

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-11172008-144208

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/35738