Development of an accurate low cost NDVI imaging system for assessing plant health
Abstract Background Spectral imaging is a key method for high throughput phenotyping that can be related to a large variety of biological parameters. The Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), uses specific wavelengths to compare crop health and performance. Increasing the accessibility of s...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Plant Methods |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-023-00981-8 |
| _version_ | 1811171704447172608 |
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| author | John D. Stamford Silvere Vialet-Chabrand Iain Cameron Tracy Lawson |
| author_facet | John D. Stamford Silvere Vialet-Chabrand Iain Cameron Tracy Lawson |
| author_sort | John D. Stamford |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Spectral imaging is a key method for high throughput phenotyping that can be related to a large variety of biological parameters. The Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), uses specific wavelengths to compare crop health and performance. Increasing the accessibility of spectral imaging systems through the development of small, low cost, and easy to use platforms will generalise its use for precision agriculture. We describe a method for using a dual camera system connected to a Raspberry Pi to produce NDVI imagery, referred to as NDVIpi. Spectral reference targets were used to calibrate images into values of reflectance, that are then used to calculated NDVI with improved accuracy compared with systems that use single references/standards. Results NDVIpi imagery showed strong performance against standard spectrometry, as an accurate measurement of leaf NDVI. The NDVIpi was also compared to a relatively more expensive commercial camera (Micasense RedEdge), with both cameras having a comparable performance in measuring NDVI. There were differences between the NDVI values of the NDVIpi and the RedEdge, which could be attributed to the measurement of different wavelengths for use in the NDVI calculation by each camera. Subsequently, the wavelengths used by the NDVIpi show greater sensitivity to changes in chlorophyll content than the RedEdge. Conclusion We present a methodology for a Raspberry Pi based NDVI imaging system that utilizes low cost, off-the-shelf components, and a robust multi-reference calibration protocols that provides accurate NDVI measurements. When compared with a commercial system, comparable NDVI values were obtained, despite the fact that our system was a fraction of the cost. Our results also highlight the importance of the choice of red wavelengths in the calculation of NDVI, which resulted in differences in sensitivity between camera systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T17:18:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-86a655e960b84b4aa705ece4b7a74b85 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-4811 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T17:18:27Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plant Methods |
| spelling | doaj.art-86a655e960b84b4aa705ece4b7a74b852023-02-05T12:14:10ZengBMCPlant Methods1746-48112023-01-0119111910.1186/s13007-023-00981-8Development of an accurate low cost NDVI imaging system for assessing plant healthJohn D. Stamford0Silvere Vialet-Chabrand1Iain Cameron2Tracy Lawson3School of Life Sciences, University of EssexSchool of Life Sciences, University of EssexEnvironment SystemsSchool of Life Sciences, University of EssexAbstract Background Spectral imaging is a key method for high throughput phenotyping that can be related to a large variety of biological parameters. The Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), uses specific wavelengths to compare crop health and performance. Increasing the accessibility of spectral imaging systems through the development of small, low cost, and easy to use platforms will generalise its use for precision agriculture. We describe a method for using a dual camera system connected to a Raspberry Pi to produce NDVI imagery, referred to as NDVIpi. Spectral reference targets were used to calibrate images into values of reflectance, that are then used to calculated NDVI with improved accuracy compared with systems that use single references/standards. Results NDVIpi imagery showed strong performance against standard spectrometry, as an accurate measurement of leaf NDVI. The NDVIpi was also compared to a relatively more expensive commercial camera (Micasense RedEdge), with both cameras having a comparable performance in measuring NDVI. There were differences between the NDVI values of the NDVIpi and the RedEdge, which could be attributed to the measurement of different wavelengths for use in the NDVI calculation by each camera. Subsequently, the wavelengths used by the NDVIpi show greater sensitivity to changes in chlorophyll content than the RedEdge. Conclusion We present a methodology for a Raspberry Pi based NDVI imaging system that utilizes low cost, off-the-shelf components, and a robust multi-reference calibration protocols that provides accurate NDVI measurements. When compared with a commercial system, comparable NDVI values were obtained, despite the fact that our system was a fraction of the cost. Our results also highlight the importance of the choice of red wavelengths in the calculation of NDVI, which resulted in differences in sensitivity between camera systems.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-023-00981-8 |
| spellingShingle | John D. Stamford Silvere Vialet-Chabrand Iain Cameron Tracy Lawson Development of an accurate low cost NDVI imaging system for assessing plant health Plant Methods |
| title | Development of an accurate low cost NDVI imaging system for assessing plant health |
| title_full | Development of an accurate low cost NDVI imaging system for assessing plant health |
| title_fullStr | Development of an accurate low cost NDVI imaging system for assessing plant health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of an accurate low cost NDVI imaging system for assessing plant health |
| title_short | Development of an accurate low cost NDVI imaging system for assessing plant health |
| title_sort | development of an accurate low cost ndvi imaging system for assessing plant health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-023-00981-8 |
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