Soil mapping , remote sensing and use of sensors in precision farming

1. Soil mapping , remote sensing and use of sensors
in precision farming
Lecture No. 3

2. Soil mapping
Soil mapping involves locating and identifying the different soils that
occur, collecting information about their location, nature, properties
and potential use, and recording this information on maps and in
supporting documents to show the spatial distribution of every soil.

3. Soil mapping
• Soil map is a geographical representation showing diversity of soil types
and soil properties (soil pH, textures, organic matter, depths of horizons
etc.) in the area of interest
• Soil maps are most commonly used for land evaluation, spatial planning,
agricultural extension, environmental protection and similar projects

4. Traditional soil mapping
• Traditional soil maps typically show only general distribution of
soils, accompanied by the soil survey report.
• Many new soil maps are derived using digital soil mapping
techniques.
• Such maps are typically richer in background and show higher
spatial detail than traditional soil maps.

5. Soil Information System (SIS)
• A Soil Information System is basically a systematic collection of soil property.
• For example, soil profiles can be used to make spatial prediction of different
chemical and physical soil properties.
• In the case of pedometric mapping, both predictions and simulations
– 2D or 3D — geographic location plus soil depth

6. WG-DSM
The international WORKING GROUP ON DIGITAL SOIL MAPPING (WG-
DSM) defines digital soil mapping as "the creation and the population of a
geographically referenced soil databases generated at a given resolution by
using field and laboratory observation methods coupled with environmental
data through quantitative relationships.
Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) also referred
to as predictive soil mapping or
pedometric mapping

7. Advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER) global digital
elevation model (GDEM)
Digital soil mapping (DSM) integrates geostatistical, data mining and GIS
(geographic information system) tools. Applying DSM methods makes the
elaboration of target-specific soil maps with improved and specific thematic, spatial
and temporal accuracy

8. Remote sensing

9. INTRODUCTION
• Remote sensing has been found to be a valuable tool in evaluation,
monitoring and management of land, water and crop resources.
• The launching of the Indian remote sensing satellite (IRS) has enhanced the
capabilities for better utilization of this technology and significant progress
has been made in
• Soil and land cover mapping,
• Land degradation studies,
• Monitoring of waste land,
• Assessment of crop conditions and
• Production estimates

10. HISTORY
• The term “Remote sensing” was first used in 1961
• when U.S. Naval project on the study of Aerial photographs was renamed as “remote
sensing”.
•The application of remote sensing technology to agriculture and forestry was
presented in couple of papers in 1968 at the occasion of U.N. conference on peaceful
uses of on the space uses and the first satellite in remote sensing technology was
launched in July 1972 in U.S.A.

11.  Obtaining,
 Processing, and
 Interpreting
images and related data that are obtained from ground based, air- or
space-borne instruments that record the interaction between target and
electromagnetic radiation.
 Remote Sensing using the electromagnetic spectrum to image
the land, ocean, and atmosphere.
Remote sensing

12. • RS provides electromagnetic information about the
Earth's surface and atmosphere.
• It can be exploited for efficient site specific management
and precision horticulture.
• RS can be used for crop identification, crop area,
biomass and yield estimation.
• RS can be exploited for soil and nutrient management.
• RS can be exploited for assessing damage by biotic and a
biotic stress.
Remote sensing

13. Remote Sensing Processes
• Remote Sensing is a multi-disciplinary activity which deals with the
inventory, monitoring and assessment of natural resources through the
analysis of data obtained by observations from a remote platform
• Remote sensing is currently used more commonly to denote identification
of earth features by detecting the characteristic of electromagnetic
radiation that is reflected, emitted by the earth surface
• The electromagnetic radiation extending from the ultraviolet to the far
infra-red and microwave regions provides the greatest potential in the
context of earth resources survey
• For collection of remotely sensed data the basic requirements are a
platform and a sensor

14. A) Energy source or illumination- The first requirement for remote sensing is
to have an energy source which illuminates or provides electromagnetic
energy to the target of interest.
B) Radiation and the atmosphere- As the EMR travels from its source to the
target, it will come in contact and interact with the atmosphere. This
interaction may take place as the energy travels from the target to the sensor.
C) Interaction with the target- once the energy makes its way to the target
through the atmosphere, it interacts with the target depending on the
properties of both the target and the radiation.
Remote Sensing Processes

15. D) Recording of energy by the sensor- after the energy has been emitted from
the target, a sensor is required (remote- not in contact with the target) to collect
and record the electromagnetic radiation.
E) Transmission and processing- the energy recorded by the sensor has to be
transmitted, often in electronic form, to a receiving and processing station where
the data are processed into an image (hardcopy and/or digital).
F) Interpretation and analysis- the processed image is interpreted, visually
and/or digitally or electronically, to extract information about the target which
was illuminated.
G) Application – the final element of the remote sensing process is application
i.e. after extracting the information from the image to solve a particular problem.
Remote Sensing Processes

16. TYPES OF REMOTE SENSING
Passive remote sensing
Active remote sensing

17. When remote sensing work is carried out
with the help of electromagnetic radiation
(signals) reflected by a natural body (sun and
the earth).
eg. visible, near infra red and microwave
remote sensing.
Passive remote sensing

18. • When remote sensing work is carried out with a man
made source of radiations which is used to illuminate
a body and to defect the signal reflected form
• eg. Radar and lidar remote sensing
Active remote sensing
SKRAU, Bikaner

19. Remote sensing applications
 Remote sensing- provide data that help identify and monitorcrops.
 When these data are organized in a Geographical Information System along
with other types of data, they become an important tool that helps in making
decisions about crops and agricultural strategies.
 India has its own satellites like Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) series -
Resourcesat, Cartosat, Oceansat etc which provide required data for carrying
out various projects.

20. Chlorosis Development of a fungus
Insect attack

21. Water content of field crops
Water content of crop fields with thermal imaging.
Isdo et al (1977)

22. Combating disease and pests
Identifying the most probable areas where insects might attack.

23. Estimate the loss of leaf area to study the damage caused by
caterpiller on leaf

24. Applications in Horticulture
1. Crop identification
2. Crop acreage estimation
3. Crop condition assessment and stress detection
4. Identification of planting and harvesting dates
5. Crop yield modeling and estimation
6. Identification of pest and disease infestation
7. Soil moisture estimation
8. Irrigation monitoring and management
9. Soil mapping
10. Monitoring of droughts
11. Land cover and land degradation mapping
12. Identification of problematic soils

25. Remote Sensing in Horticulture
Remote sensing is directly connected with satellite. By the
help of this technique find out the Monsoon, Ozone layer
Depletion, Smog etc.

26. Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) System
• Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite system was appointed
with the launch of IRS-1A, in 1988
• The data is used for several applications covering agriculture,
water resources, urban development, mineral prospecting,
environment, forestry, drought and flood forecasting, ocean
resources and disaster management

27. Indian National Satellite (INSAT) System
The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system is one of
the largest domestic communication satellite systems
in Asia-Pacific region with nine operational
communication satellites placed in Geo-stationary
orbit.

28. Sensors for precision farming
• Remote sensing techniques play an important role in precision
farming by providing continuous acquired data of horticultural
crops.
• Remote sensors image vegetation, which is growing on different
soil types with different water availability, substrate, impact of
cultivation, and relief Sensors use for the following applications:
• Soil Properties Sensing: Soil Texture, Structure, and Physical
Condition Soil Moisture; Soil Nutrients.
• Crop Sensing: Plant Population; Crop Stress and Nutrient Status.

29. • Yield Monitoring Systems: Crop Yield; Harvest ; Crop
Moisture:
• Variable Rate Technology Systems: Fertilizer flow;
Weed detection, pressure sensors
Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites sensors
• Linear Imaging Self-Scanning System (LISS) I, II, III, IV
• Wide Field Sensors (WiFS)
• Panchromatic Camera (PAN)

30. Opportunities for Remote Sensing in Horticulture
 Mapping and Monitoring- Crop and Soil Variability;
 Efficient way of mapping and monitoring the effects of any
condition that affects plant health, yield, or quality of a crop.
 The Imagery can be applied to:
 Monitor within/between field variability;
 Map soil variations;
 Investigate crop management practices;
 Detect and map weed and pest infestations;
 Optimise crop inputs;
Pasture growth rate.

31. Precision Horticulture and GNSS
Horticultural Uses:
 Coarse mapping functions, recording locations (e.g.
weed infestation, insects, etc)
 Greatest accuracy is required if a satellite based
positioning systems is used for ―guidance‖ during
planting and chemical applications (pesticides,
fertilizers).
 Reliability is a critical factor for high dynamic
applications like air-spraying.
Farming activities using GNSS:
 Soil sampling
 Tillage
 Drilling
 Variable Rate Applications: Fertilizing,
Spraying
 Harvesting

32. Integrated GIS-Remote Sensing-GPS advantages:
 Ultimate goal of detecting and managing field variability is
to save costs.
 Reduction of pollution risks by applying fertilisers or herbicides
only where it is needed;
 Provide field maps of weeds, nutrient deficiencies that can
guide farmers during the spray of their paddocks;
 Assist determining causes of field variability.

33. • Remote sensing (RS) is an advanced tool that aids in gathering
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's surface and atmosphere.
• Because these data and images are digital, they can easily be
quantified and manipulated using computers.
• RS can be used in efforts to reduce the risk and minimize
damage.

34. CONCLUSION :
• Useful for crop identification, crop
diversification, yield estimation and yield
prediction.
• To solve the problems through identification of pests and
diseases.
• Sustainable utilization of land resources.
• To select the crops for optimum ground water
utilization and increase the crop production and
productivity