Project Number: 1265-12660-006-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: May 02, 2006
End Date: May 01, 2011

Objective:
Develop measurement tools and decision support tools for quantifying soil factors and processes influencing soil productivity.

Approach:
Surrogate indicators of soil hydrologic properties and landscape position will be assessed using analysis of yield data and remote sensing imagery. A new approach to pedotransfer functions will be pursued. Remote sensing of crop residue cover and nutrient stats will be investigated using image spectral reflectance signature analysis. Nutrient status and other indicators of crop response to soil productivity will be investigated via investigation of remote sensing image spatial/texture analysis of the patterns and spacing of groups of pixels. An unmanned aerial vehicle system based on model aircraft technology will be assessed for agricultural applications.