UAV Remote Sensing for High-Throughput Phenotyping and for Yield Prediction of <i>Miscanthus</i> by Machine Learning Techniques

<i>Miscanthus</i> holds a great potential in the frame of the bioeconomy, and yield prediction can help improve <i>Miscanthus’</i> logistic supply chain. Breeding programs in several countries are attempting to produce high-yielding <i>Miscanthus</i> hybrids bette...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Giorgio Impollonia, Michele Croci, Andrea Ferrarini, Jason Brook, Enrico Martani, Henri Blandinières, Andrea Marcone, Danny Awty-Carroll, Chris Ashman, Jason Kam, Andreas Kiesel, Luisa M. Trindade, Mirco Boschetti, John Clifton-Brown, Stefano Amaducci
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-06-01
Series:Remote Sensing
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/14/12/2927
Description
Summary:<i>Miscanthus</i> holds a great potential in the frame of the bioeconomy, and yield prediction can help improve <i>Miscanthus’</i> logistic supply chain. Breeding programs in several countries are attempting to produce high-yielding <i>Miscanthus</i> hybrids better adapted to different climates and end-uses. Multispectral images acquired from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Italy and in the UK in 2021 and 2022 were used to investigate the feasibility of high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) of novel <i>Miscanthus</i> hybrids for yield prediction and crop traits estimation. An intercalibration procedure was performed using simulated data from the PROSAIL model to link vegetation indices (VIs) derived from two different multispectral sensors. The random forest algorithm estimated with good accuracy yield traits (light interception, plant height, green leaf biomass, and standing biomass) using 15 VIs time series, and predicted yield using peak descriptors derived from these VIs time series with root mean square error of 2.3 Mg DM ha<sup>−1</sup>. The study demonstrates the potential of UAVs’ multispectral images in HTP applications and in yield prediction, providing important information needed to increase sustainable biomass production.
ISSN:2072-4292