Application of Remote Sensing in Horticulture Precision Farming System- A Review
Abstract
Horticulture crops play significant role in improving the productivity of land, generating employment, enhancing exports, improving economic conditions of the farmers and entrepreneurs and providing food and nutritional security to the people. For better management of the existing crops and to bring more area under horticulture crops, updated and accurate database is necessary for systematic planning and decision making. Remote sensing (RS) is an advanced tool that aids ingathering and updating information to develop scientific management plans. Many types of sensors namely microwave radiometers, laser meters, magnetic sensors and cameras collect electromagnetic information to derive accurate, large-scale information about the Earth'ssurface and atmosphere. Because these data and images are digital, they can easily be quantified and manipulated using computers. RScan be used in efforts to reduce the risk and minimize damage. The same data can be analyzed indifferent ways for different applications. A number of studies were aiming at identification of crop, area estimation, disease and pest identification, etc. using satellite data in horticulture. The potential use of RStechniques in Horticulture is briefly reviewed in order to exploit the available techniques for efficient crop management.
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Introduction
Horticulture crops comprising of fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, plantation crops and medicinal plants playa significant role in economy, employment, national self reliance, health, food and nutritional security of the country. During the past few years, horticulture development has emerged as one of the major thrust area in agriculture sector. For optimum utilization of available horticultural land resources on a sustainable basis, timely and reliable information regarding their nature, extent and spatial distribution along with their potential and limitations is very important. The key factors that contribute towards crop growth and production are different soil characteristics (soil pH, nutrient levels, drainage efficiency, texture, permeability and water holding capacity), climatic conditions (temperature, rainfall, solar radiation, chilling hours, growing degree days) and land-use type (soil properties, topography), plant population, fertilization, irrigation, and pest infestations. All these physical factors must be part of a geospatial database (Schumann and Zaman, 2003, Panda et al., 2011). RSsystems due to regular, synoptic, multispectral and multi temporal coverage of an area provide accurate database on spectral behaviour of crops as well as their growing environment, i.e. soil and atmosphere.
Conclusion
In conclusion, remote sensing has emerged as an indispensable tool for modern horticulture. Its ability to provide timely, spatially comprehensive, and non-destructive information on crop growth, health, and yield offers significant advantages over traditional ground-based methods. From monitoring crop acreage and assessing stress conditions to optimizing resource management through precision agriculture techniques, remote sensing empowers horticulturists with valuable insights for informed decision-making.
As remote sensing technology continues to evolve, with advancements in sensor technology, data processing algorithms, and integration with other data sources, its potential to revolutionize horticulture further is immense. Continued research and development are crucial to unlock the full potential of remote sensing in addressing the challenges and maximizing the opportunities within this vital sector.
