Identification of gaps in sugarcane plantations using UAV images

Global climate change is a highly quoted issue nowadays. Therefore, actions related to rational and efficient use of cultivated lands, which is the main goal of precision agriculture, are required. Sugarcane culture provides an energetic alternative to achieve lower greenhouse gas emissions. In this study we present preliminary results of a methodology for detecting gaps in sugarcane crop, from images acquired using an Unmanned Airborne Vehicle (UAV). The study area is located at Iracemápolis, country side of São Paulo State, Brazil. Results demonstrated that very high resolution UAV optical images can efficiently detect gaps in sugarcane plantations. Our methodology identified 20,90% of exposed soil areas resulting of planting and/or growing flaws. This information allows producers to repair the flaws in planted lines, consequently intensifying and increasing crop productivity. Moreover, the quantification of the area affected by gaps can directly improve estimates of sugarcane production. This study confirmed that UAVs are excellent tools for gathering very high resolution spatially explicit optical remote sensing information over agriculture crops. The planting/growing gaps were significantly large for justifying the need of producers’ intervention, through new planting or fertilizing the area. Nevertheless, we point out the necessity for improving UAVs flight parameters, such as flight high and line distances between imagery, once the sensor viewing angle may cause false vegetation density, masking exposed soil areas.