Plant phenotyping methods.

Wheat biomass estimation across crop development using UAV LiDAR structure–intensity fusion alongside multispectral and thermal data →

This study systematically evaluated the contribution of UAV LiDAR structural features such as crop height (CH) and multi-layer gap fraction (GF) and the amplitude of the returning signal represented by normalized intensity (INT), together with multispectral (MS) and thermal infrared (TIR) observations for aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation in winter wheat using a common artificial neural network (ANN) framework. Among the evaluated single sensor approaches, LiDAR features consistently provided the strongest performance, demonstrating the complementary value of crop height, vertically distributed canopy density, and normalized LiDAR intensity for characterizing canopy structure and within-canopy variability. Multi-layer GF improved AGB estimation relative to conventional ground-based GF approaches, highlighting the importance of incorporating the vertical distribution of canopy density. Multi-sensor fusion produced only modest additional improvements, indicating limited benefits relative to the increased acquisition and processing requirements. Temporal analysis showed that structural LiDAR features were most informative during early crop development, whereas normalized intensity, spectral reflectance, and thermal observations became increasingly valuable during canopy maturation and senescence. Comparisons with destructively measured plant area index (PAI), leaf area index (LAI), green leaf area index (GLAI), and green fraction of LAI further demonstrated that normalized LiDAR intensity (903 nm) was more closely associated with green canopy components than purely structural LiDAR metrics. Overall, the results demonstrate that fully exploiting both the structural and spectral information contained within LiDAR observations can substantially improve UAV-based biomass estimation, while multispectral and thermal observations provide complementary information whose contribution varies with crop development and monitoring objectives.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV LiDAR・マルチスペクトル・熱画像とANNを用いた小麦バイオマス推定手法を系統的に比較・評価しており、植物形質推定の取得・解析方法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study systematically evaluated the contribution of UAV LiDAR structural features such as crop height (CH) and multi-layer gap fraction (GF) and the amplitude of the returning signal represented by normalized intensity (INT), together with multispectral (MS) and thermal infrared (TIR) observations for aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation in winter wheat using a common artificial neural network (ANN) framework.

Continuous monitoring of deficit irrigation in avocado across two contrasting rainfall years using sensor networks, telemetry, and machine learning →

Water scarcity and increasingly irregular rainfall threaten avocado production in Mediterranean regions, yet the long term physiological responses of mature trees to sustained deficit irrigation remain poorly understood. We conducted a two-year field study integrating continuous monitoring of the soil plant atmosphere continuum, drone-based multispectral imaging, canopy structural analysis, and fruit phenotyping in a mature avocado orchard subjected to three irrigation regimes. The two study years differed markedly in rainfall, providing a unique opportunity to evaluate how environmental conditions modulate tree responses to water limitation. Trees under severe deficit irrigation showed depletion of water in deeper soil layers and a flattened physiological profile, with near-zero diel variation in leaf thickness and trunk water potential, indicating minimal transpiration and decoupling of tree water status from environmental demand. Drone telemetry via NDVI detected stress during fruit growth and maturation, but not during flowering or the new summer leaf flush, revealing greater drought sensitivity at later maturation stages. Although canopy area did not differ among irrigation treatments, canopy surface roughness increased significantly under deficit irrigation, thereby identifying a novel structural indicator of drought stress. Despite large physiological differences among treatments, fruit number remained stable, while fruit weight decreased significantly under severe deficit irrigation, particularly in the wetter year, suggesting that annual rainfall modulates the trade-off between fruit retention and fruit growth. This study provides the first continuous, multi-scale characterization of avocado performance under sustained deficit irrigation in Mediterranean conditions. By integrating plant-based sensors, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence, we reveal previously undescribed stress dynamics and identify new indicators for precision irrigation management in fruit crops.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods継続的な植物センサー、ドローン画像、樹冠構造解析、果実表現型計測を統合し、NDVIや樹冠表面粗さなどのストレス指標を抽出する方法が研究の主要部分であるため。

abstractWe conducted a two-year field study integrating continuous monitoring of the soil plant atmosphere continuum, drone-based multispectral imaging, canopy structural analysis, and fruit phenotyping

Pinus pinaster Seedling Detection in Coastal Dune Plantations Using a UAS Multispectral Point Cloud and Point Transformer V3 →

Early detection of tree-seedling establishment is essential for monitoring regeneration success in coastal-dune plantations, where conventional field assessments remain labour-intensive and spatially limited. This study presents a deep-learning workflow for detecting early-stage Pinus pinaster seedlings using multispectral UAS-derived point clouds. Field surveys in the Quiaios National Forest, Portugal, mapped approximately 1500 seedlings using RTK GNSS positioning, biometric measurements, and field photographs. Multispectral imagery acquired with a DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral platform was processed through Structure-from-Motion to generate calibrated orthomosaics, terrain products, and dense point clouds. Training-data preparation combined pine-centred buffers, spectral conditioning, manual refinement and point-cloud class assignment. Point Transformer V3 models were trained in ArcGIS Pro and evaluated using field-mapped buffers withheld from model training within plantation-line areas. The Baseline high-recall model achieved 88% object-level recall at the operational threshold of at least three classified Pine-Seedling points per buffer. The refined hard-negative model retained 84% recall while reducing off-buffer detections from 243 to 41. False-negative analysis showed that omissions were associated with reduced crown diameter and limited branch development under the adopted buffer-based retrieval framework. These results support transformer-based multispectral point-cloud classification for scalable monitoring of early-stage pine regeneration in heterogeneous coastal environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUASマルチスペクトル点群とPoint Transformer V3により、マツ幼苗の存在・定着状態を植物個体レベルで推定する手法を開発・評価しており、検出性能も検証しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractThis study presents a deep-learning workflow for detecting early-stage Pinus pinaster seedlings using multispectral UAS-derived point clouds.

Lightweight Near-Infrared Spectral Reconstruction from Red UAV Imagery Using Artificial Intelligence for Low-Cost Remote Sensing →

Near-infrared imagery is essential for vegetation monitoring, precision agriculture, and environmental remote sensing, but multispectral UAV systems remain significantly more expensive and less accessible than conventional RGB imaging platforms. This study presents a lightweight artificial intelligence framework for reconstructing the NIR spectral band exclusively from the red spectral band acquired by a UAV. The proposed methodology formulates the reconstruction task as a pixel-wise nonlinear regression problem and employs a compact multilayer perceptron (MLP) containing only 609 trainable parameters, without exploiting spatial neighborhood information. The framework was developed and evaluated using 280 synchronized multispectral UAV image sets acquired with a DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral platform over a heterogeneous agricultural landscape in the Republic of Moldova. Of these, 252 image sets were used for model development, and 28 were reserved as a held-out within-mission test subset. Quantitative evaluation on a held-out test dataset from the same acquisition mission yielded a mean squared error of 0.010329, a root mean squared error of 0.101632, a mean absolute error of 0.079883, a coefficient of determination of 0.253383, and a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.683637 between measured and reconstructed normalized NIR digital intensities. The results indicate that the model captures part of the red–NIR relationship under the evaluated acquisition conditions; however, the moderate coefficient of determination suggests that the reconstructed values are an approximation rather than a replacement for measured NIR observations. An illustrative NDVI-based assessment showed that broad spatial vegetation patterns remained identifiable. Rather than introducing a new neural network architecture, this work establishes a compact empirical baseline to investigate the practical performance and limitations of pixel-wise NIR reconstruction from a single red-band value with minimal model complexity.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像からNIRを再構成し、NDVIを含む植生状態の推定に用いる計算・センシング手法が研究の中心で、独立データによる技術評価も行っている。

abstractThis study presents a lightweight artificial intelligence framework for reconstructing the NIR spectral band exclusively from the red spectral band acquired by a UAV.

Artificial Intelligence-Based Smart Farming with Internet of Things and Drone Technologies for Integrated Crop and Aquatic Health Monitoring →

Agriculture is being revolutionized through the integration of cutting-edge technologies that support efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. Recent trends in transforming traditional agriculture into smart agricultural systems through the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), IoT, and drone technology are gaining popularity worldwide. In this context, the current study developed an integrated artificial intelligence-based farming system incorporating Internet of Things sensors, drones, deep learning, and web/mobile applications for timely monitoring of crop and aquatic health. Data were collected using IoT sensors and drones equipped with high-resolution cameras to monitor soil and water parameters, including temperature, humidity, and pH, under various climatic conditions. A dataset of 70,000 images was used for system training, validation, and testing with an 80:10:10 split, together with three months of IoT sensor data. Models including YOLOv8, CNN, Faster R-CNN, ResNet50, MobileNet, EfficientNet, DenseNet, LSTM, and Random Forest were used for pest and disease detection, fish classification, fish disease detection, shrimp disease detection, and monitoring of climatic factors. Data pre-processing included denoising, normalization, missing-value handling, and feature extraction. The designed model showed reliable performance across the tasks, with 88.4% accuracy for shrimp detection, 92.1% for pest detection using YOLOv8, and 93.4% accuracy for plant disease detection using the CNN model. Overall performance was recorded at 97% accuracy, with high precision, F1-score, and mAP, and an RMSE of 1.2 for sensor-based prediction and validation. The current findings indicate the potential of using AI, IoT, and drone technologies to detect biotic and abiotic stresses during farming and support a sustainable agricultural system.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsAI・IoT・ドローンを統合した作物健康モニタリングシステムを開発し、植物病害検出モデルを訓練・検証しており、植物状態の取得方法が中心的である。

abstractthe current study developed an integrated artificial intelligence-based farming system incorporating Internet of Things sensors, drones, deep learning, and web/mobile applications for timely monitoring of crop and aquatic health

Deep spatial-spectral fusion of UAV RGB and hyperspectral imagery for potato plant disease detection →

Accurate plant disease detection remains challenging when using single-modality data, which fails to capture comprehensive disease-related features. However, many existing studies rely on pixel-level classification or prior plant segmentation and lack explicit modeling of cross-modal interactions, limiting their ability to distinguish between healthy and diseased plants. This study presents a spatial–spectral fusion deep learning framework (S2-PDD) that fuses uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV)-based RGB imagery and hyperspectral-derived feature representations for plant-level detection of potato diseases (blackleg and Potato virus Y (PVY)), employing early fusion (modalities combined at the input stage) and middle fusion (features integrated at intermediate stages within the model backbone) strategies. The multimodal fusion models were compared against single-modal models and an existing S2ADet model. Model performance, assessed through five-fold cross-validation, demonstrated that multimodal models integrating RGB and vegetation index features achieved the highest mAPs of 86.65 ± 1.71 (%; E-RV model) and 85.74 ± 1.96 (M-RV), respectively. These mAPs were higher than those of all single-modal models, including the RGB-only (83.21 ± 1.46) and hyperspectral-only models (PCA features: 79.71 ± 1.45; vegetation index features: 85.31 ± 2.36). They also exceeded mAPs of multimodal models combining RGB with PCA features (early fusion: 83.00 ± 2.81; middle fusion: 83.11 ± 2.46; S2ADet: 84.04 ± 2.73), regardless of the fusion strategy. The superior performance highlights that vegetation index features provide strong class separability compared to other hyperspectral representations. The proposed models achieved strong plant-level detection performance, with AP of 78.65 ± 4.14 (E-RV) and 77.40 ± 3.46 (M-RV) for blackleg disease, as well as 84.82 ± 3.59 (E-RV) and 83.28 ± 3.86 (M-RV) for PVY. These results demonstrate the potential of UAV-based multimodal sensing for disease monitoring in cropping systems. A potato plant disease detection dataset was constructed and made publicly available, containing paired RGB and hyperspectral image tiles with bounding box annotations. The code is available at https://github.com/Tim-Agro/S2-PDD.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV RGB・ハイパースペクトル画像からジャガイモ個体の病害状態を推定する融合モデルを開発・比較検証し、公開データセットも構築しており、病害表現型の取得・抽出手法が中心である。

abstractThis study presents a spatial–spectral fusion deep learning framework (S2-PDD) that fuses uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV)-based RGB imagery and hyperspectral-derived feature representations for plant-level detection of potato diseases (blackleg and Potato virus Y (PVY))

Deep Learning-Based Monitoring of Tea Plant Growth and Nitrogen Status Using UAV Multisource Remote Sensing Features →

Accurate and efficient monitoring of tea plant growth parameters via remote sensing is essential for precision plantation management. However, spectral indices relying solely on reflectance often exhibit limited sensitivity in capturing complex tea canopy characteristics. This study developed a data-driven framework integrating spectral reflectance, frequency-domain harmonic components, and spatial texture features to construct tri-feature fusion indices (TFIs) and establish machine learning and deep learning models for tea growth monitoring. Ten-band multispectral imagery was acquired using a UAV alongside synchronous field measurements of leaf and plant biomass and nitrogen accumulation. TFIs were constructed through exhaustive feature combinations and optimized via a data-driven search strategy. Subsequently, random forest (RF), multilayer perceptron (MLP), convolutional neural network (CNN), and transformer models were evaluated using a leave-one-site-out cross-validation (LOSO-CV) strategy. The selected TFIs showed strong associations with tea growth parameters within the investigated dataset, with R2 values up to 0.63 and 0.62 for leaf dry matter and leaf nitrogen accumulation, respectively. Models incorporating selected TFIs achieved cross-validated R2 values of 0.56 for leaf dry matter (MLP), 0.59 for plant dry matter (MLP), 0.73 for leaf nitrogen accumulation (MLP), and 0.68 for plant nitrogen accumulation (CNN). These models exhibited competitive predictive performance comparable to RF, although no statistically significant differences in mean absolute error were observed under site-held-out evaluation. Furthermore, model-derived spatial maps provided insights into fine-scale spatial heterogeneity and potential interannual variations in tea growth parameters across representative plantations from 2024 to 2025. Overall, this study provides a UAV-based framework for tea growth parameter estimation by integrating multi-domain information without requiring additional environmental observations.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像から茶植物の乾物量・窒素蓄積を推定する特徴量融合および機械学習・深層学習フレームワークを開発し、サイト外交差検証で評価しており、植物形質の取得・推定手法が中心である。

abstractThis study developed a data-driven framework integrating spectral reflectance, frequency-domain harmonic components, and spatial texture features to construct tri-feature fusion indices (TFIs) and establish machine learning and deep learning models for tea growth monitoring.

A UAV-based sparse-view 3DGS framework for greenhouse strawberry reconstruction →

UAV-based multi-view reconstruction is an important approach for high-precision, non-destructive 3D crop phenotyping. However, in greenhouse environments, UAV image acquisition is often restricted to sparse viewpoints because of UAV-induced airflow disturbances and the structural complexity of the greenhouse, which severely hinders accurate 3D phenotyping. To address this challenge, this study develops a task-driven phenotyping framework for constrained UAV viewpoints in greenhouse environments, integrating a vision-triggered flight planning strategy with an improved sparse-view 3DGS pipeline, termed SparseBerry-3DGS, for multi-view image acquisition and 3D phenotyping of greenhouse strawberries in GNSS-denied environments. Specifically, 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) is improved by incorporating flow-guided initialization, depth supervision, and an adaptive pruning strategy, which effectively alleviate geometric collapse and floating artifacts under sparse-view conditions. Furthermore, sequential semantic masks generated by SAM2 are utilized to guide the segmentation of strawberry point clouds, thereby reducing background interference and segmentation errors. Experimental results show that the vision-triggered flight strategy enables stable capture of 16 surrounding images for each target fruit. Under sparse-view conditions, SparseBerry-3DGS improves reconstruction stability, with the average peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) reaching 18.25 dB, corresponding to an 18% improvement. The SAM2-based segmentation module achieves high accuracy, with the mean intersection over union (mIoU) above 0.95. Geometric evaluation based on strawberry longitudinal diameter yielded an of 0.88, supporting the accuracy of fruit-scale geometric reconstruction. For weight estimation, five-fold cross-validation yielded an of 0.90 and an RMSE of 3.62 g, showing better predictive performance than models based on 2D projected area and standard 3DGS point clouds. This study provides a new approach for high-throughput, non-invasive digital crop phenotyping in greenhouse horticulture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods温室イチゴの3D形状再構成と重量推定を目的に、制約視点UAV撮影、SparseBerry-3DGS再構成、点群セグメンテーションを統合した表現型取得手法を開発・検証しており、方法が研究の中心である。

abstractthis study develops a task-driven phenotyping framework for constrained UAV viewpoints in greenhouse environments

Plant disease identification through Explainable AI: A deep learning architecture using fine-tuned EfficientNet for sustainable agriculture →

Problem: Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the Indian economy, where crop production quality and quantity directly impact the livelihoods of millions. Climate variability, emerging plant diseases, and improper pesticide application contribute significantly to agricultural losses. Early and accurate disease detection is crucial for mitigating crop damage and ensuring food security. Methodology: This study presents a novel deep learning framework based on EfficientNet architecture, enhanced with Progressive Fine-Tuning Strategy for automated plant disease detection. The proposed methodology was evaluated on two benchmark datasets: the Plant Village dataset comprising 20,639 images of tomato, potato, and bell pepper with 15 disease varieties; and a drone-captured rice plant dataset containing 4432 samples from public repositories. The model’s performance was assessed using multiple metrics, including classification accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. To strengthen the validation of high accuracy results, additional statistical analyses like class imbalance ratio, Entropy, Chi-Square test, convergence curve, ANOVA test, Tukey’s post hoc HSD test, confidence interval, Cohen’s Kappa result, fold-wise dispersion analysis, mean, std deviation are included in the manuscript. Result: Experimental results demonstrate that the fine-tuned EfficientNetV2-B1 architecture achieved exceptional performance with 99.7% classification accuracy on the PlantVillage dataset and 99.03% accuracy on the drone-based rice disease dataset, significantly outperforming existing state-of-the-art transfer learning models. Model explainability techniques further validated the reliability and interpretability of the predictions, confirming the model’s focus on disease-relevant features.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物画像から病害状態を推定する深層学習手法を開発し、複数データセットで性能検証しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractThis study presents a novel deep learning framework based on EfficientNet architecture, enhanced with Progressive Fine-Tuning Strategy for automated plant disease detection.

Remote Spectral Detection of Canopy Functional Dimensions Varying Within and Across Forest Types. →

Global trait axes reveal overarching dimensions of plant functional variation. However, how these dimensions are spatially organized within and across forest types remains unclear. We combined drone-based full-range imaging spectroscopy with crown-level measurements of 16 physiological, morphological and biochemical traits across temperate, subtropical and tropical forests in China to enable spatially-explicit trait mapping. Through site-training scenario, leaf-to-canopy scaling and spectral-domain modelling tests, we find that reliable canopy trait retrieval depends not only on trait and spectral coverage, but also on preserving trait-spectral relationships across sites and scales. Spectral predictions recovered observed multivariate covariation, summarizing crown variation into a leaf-economics dimension and two additional biochemical dimensions related to hydro-thermal regulation and defence/metabolism. Mapping these dimensions revealed distinct community-level trait organization alongside substantial species- and crown-level variation within forests. These findings link remotely sensed trait retrieval to environmental filtering and plant functional differentiation, providing a scalable framework for monitoring forest functional diversity.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsドローン分光画像と冠レベル形質測定を用いた植物形質の空間マッピング手法が中心で、スケーリングおよびスペクトルモデルの検証も行っている。

abstractWe combined drone-based full-range imaging spectroscopy with crown-level measurements of 16 physiological, morphological and biochemical traits across temperate, subtropical and tropical forests in China to enable spatially-explicit trait mapping.

Concept-guided deep learning with UAV-satellite sample augmentation for daily 10 m crop AGB mapping →

Abstract has not been obtained from indexed metadata or an accessible article page.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV・衛星画像を用いて作物の地上部バイオマス（AGB）を推定する深層学習法が題名の中心であり、植物形質の取得・推定手法に該当する。

titleConcept-guided deep learning with UAV-satellite sample augmentation for daily 10 m crop AGB mapping

Integrating UAV-derived enhanced disease detection index and texture features for monitoring southern corn rust severity →

Abstract has not been obtained from indexed metadata or an accessible article page.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から病害重症度を推定する検出指数・テクスチャ特徴の統合が題名上の中心であり、植物の病害状態を測定するフェノタイピング手法に該当します。

titleIntegrating UAV-derived enhanced disease detection index and texture features for monitoring southern corn rust severity

Methodical approaches to the analysis of the state of soybean crops based on the results of aerial photography from UAV →

Goal. To substantiate the methodical approaches to analyzing the state of soybean crops based on the results of aerial photography with UAV by comparing manual vectorization, controlled classification according to the algorithm of maximum similarity, and uncontrolled classification of K-Means, as well as to determine the feasibility of their combination with expert visual interpretation to assess the spatial structure of the vegetation cover. Methods. Aerial photography of the test proving ground was performed with the help of the unmanned aerial vehicle DJI Phantom 4 Advanced with the subsequent photogrammetric study of materials and the formation of a highly detailed orthophotoplane. In the QGIS environment, visual decryption and manual vectorization of the main objects of the agrolandscape were carried out with the creation of polygonal layers. For automated mapping, methods of controlled classification according to the algorithm of maximum similarity and uncontrolled classification based on the K-Means algorithm were used. The accuracy of the results was evaluated by comparing the data of automated classifications with the data of manual digitization, which was used as a reference (control) method. On the basis of the results obtained, empirical data were summarized to justify practical recommendations for the application of the studied approaches. Results. The study was conducted on the territory of the research farm of the Separate subdivision of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine «Berezhany Agrotechnical Institute» (vil. Pavliv, Ternopil district, Ternopil oblast) (49.452057°N; 24,805818°E) in may – august 2025. The obtained cartographic materials made it possible to quantify the areas of the main objects of the agro-landscape and identify problem areas with sparse shoots. Methods of controlled classification showed greater compliance with the digitization data (average deviation — 6.7%) compared to uncontrolled (14.7%), which were effective from the point of view of preliminary assessment of spectrally homogeneous sections, but did not provide an accurate division of shoots by density. Analysis of the spatial structure of coverage made it possible to plan local agrotechnical measures and assess the potential yield. Conclusions. Methodical approaches to analyzing the state of soybean crops based on the results of aerial photography with a UAV equipped with RGB cameras are promising and economically feasible. Automated classification methods are effective for highlighting hard and contrasting objects and small-contoured areas, while a detailed assessment of the structure of the vegetation cover is advisable to carry out using a controlled classification in combination with expert visual interpretation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像を用いて大豆作物の植生被覆構造や疎な出芽域を抽出し、複数の分類法を手動ベクトル化と比較・精度評価している。植物状態の取得手法自体が研究の中心である。

abstractTo substantiate the methodical approaches to analyzing the state of soybean crops based on the results of aerial photography with UAV by comparing manual vectorization, controlled classification according to the algorithm of maximum similarity, and uncontrolled classification of K-Means

Autonomous Quadcopter Flight Path Generation via MAVLink and Ground Control Station Architecture for Precision Agricultural Crop Monitoring →

This paper presents an integrated system design for autonomous quadcopter flight path generation using the MAVLink protocol and a custom Ground Control Station (GCS) for precision agricultural crop monitoring. The system combines three coverage path algorithms (Boustrophedon, Spiral, and Energy-Optimized), a Pixhawk 4 / ArduPilot flight stack, a MicaSense RedEdge-P multispectral payload, and a ROS2-based GCS for mission planning, telemetry, and vegetation-index-based crop health assessment. The 2.8 kg quadcopter (450 mm frame, 4-cell LiPo) achieves 22–25 minutes of flight time. Across five field sizes (0.5–10 ha), the Energy-Optimized path achieved 96.5% coverage efficiency with 4.2% overlap and a 12.4% energy reduction over the Boustrophedon baseline. NDVI-based crop segmentation achieved pixel accuracy of 92.5% (maize), 94.1% (rice), and 90.8% (wheat), and four-class crop-health classification achieved a weighted F1-score of 90.0%. MAVLink 2.0 command latency averaged 15.8 ms with 99.3% packet delivery at ranges up to 800 m. An ablation study showed additional gains of 1.5–3.1% coverage from wind compensation and 2.1–2.8% from terrain-following.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods自律ドローン、マルチスペクトル撮像、NDVIセグメンテーションによる作物健康状態推定を統合し、飛行・画像解析性能を定量評価しているため、植物状態の取得・抽出が技術的に実質的な構成要素である。

abstractThe system combines three coverage path algorithms (Boustrophedon, Spiral, and Energy-Optimized), a Pixhawk 4 / ArduPilot flight stack, a MicaSense RedEdge-P multispectral payload, and a ROS2-based GCS for mission planning, telemetry, and vegetation-index-based crop health assessment.

DualSlim-YOLO: A Lightweight Detection Model Based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Imagery for Cauliflower Seedling Identification and Growth Assessment →

Cauliflower emergence rate and seedling growth are key indicators of field conditions and varietal potential. Traditional manual surveys are unsuitable for continuous monitoring across multiple varieties. This study integrates UAV RGB imagery with the DualSlim-YOLO model to estimate cauliflower emergence rates and monitor seedling growth. Built on YOLOv11, the model incorporates a lightweight feature extraction structure and an optimized detection-scale configuration. It reduces computational complexity while maintaining detection accuracy, thereby improving the efficiency of cauliflower seedling detection. DualSlim-YOLO achieved P, R, F1-score, mAP@0.5, and mAP@0.5:0.95 of 95.35%, 96.75%, 96.05%, 98.55%, and 86.65%, respectively. The number of parameters was reduced by 38.61%, while the inference speed increased by 22.16%, demonstrating good lightweight performance. Based on this model, UAV images of 171 cauliflower varieties acquired at 7, 21, and 28 d after transplanting were used for seedling detection and emergence rate estimation. In addition, 18 time-series seedling phenotypic traits were extracted, enabling a comprehensive quantitative evaluation of emergence dynamics and early-growth performance across multiple cauliflower varieties. This method effectively screens cauliflower varieties for high emergence rates, rapid emergence, and excellent seedling growth performance. It provides technical support for high-throughput, nondestructive seedling phenotyping and early germplasm screening under field conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と軽量YOLOモデルを用いて、カリフラワー苗の検出、出芽率推定、18種類の時系列表現型形質抽出を行う手法が中心であり、モデル性能も検証している。

abstractThis study integrates UAV RGB imagery with the DualSlim-YOLO model to estimate cauliflower emergence rates and monitor seedling growth.

PhenoStream: A Cyberinfrastructure for Automated and AI-Based Crop Trait Extraction from Aerial Imagery →

Abstract The integration of digital technologies for high-throughput field phenotyping is critical for accelerating crop improvement in agriculture. However, extracting traits from remote sensing data remains constrained by fragmented workflows, manual intervention, and limited interoperability among existing tools, resulting in delays that hinder timely biological insight and decision-making. To address these challenges, we present PhenoStream (Phenotyping Streaming), a scalable, end-to-end cyberinfrastructure designed to automate the full lifecycle of aerial imagery–based phenotyping, from data acquisition to plot-and genotype-level inference. The framework integrates automated data ingestion from distributed field sites, geospatial processing, and AI-enabled trait extraction within a unified, user-accessible graphical interface. Its modular and extensible architecture supports adaptable trait modeling and seamless integration of new data sources, enabling deployment across diverse crops, environments, and experimental designs. We demonstrate the system across a large multi-location field trial network of bioenergy crops, where it enables high-throughput characterization of spatiotemporal growth dynamics, genotype-by-environment (G×E) interactions, and predictive modeling of key agronomic traits. By significantly reducing processing latency and manual effort, the platform facilitates near-real-time analysis and reproducible workflows. This work establishes a generalizable and scalable pathway for operationalizing very-high-spatial resolution aerial phenotyping in agricultural research. By bridging data acquisition and analytics, the end-to-end cyberinfrastructure provides a foundation for integrating heterogeneous and unstructured data streams—including remote sensing, environmental, and management data—toward data-driven decision making in agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods航空画像から作物形質を自動抽出するエンドツーエンドのフェノタイピング基盤を開発・実証しており、形質取得と解析ワークフローが研究の中心です。

abstracta scalable, end-to-end cyberinfrastructure designed to automate the full lifecycle of aerial imagery–based phenotyping, from data acquisition to plot-and genotype-level inference.

Integrating soil and canopy sensing to map and relate variability in tart cherry orchards →

Abstract Purpose Evaluate how soil and canopy sensing can map within-block variability in tart cherry orchards and identify indicators robust enough for repeatable management decisions. Methods Soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) was mapped in spring 2022 across four commercial tart cherry blocks (8.5–10.5 ha; approximately 3,500 trees per block), followed by canopy sensing in 2023–2024. Canopy structure was measured using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry and mobile terrestrial laser scanning (MTLS) using light detection and ranging (LiDAR), and canopy density using mobile ceptometry. Spatial layers were aligned to per-tree grid cells. An August 2025 campaign compared UAV- and LiDAR-derived tree height with ground-truthed height. Results Soil-to-canopy relationships were weak to moderate but consistent within blocks ( r = 0.10–0.40), with strength and direction varying by site conditions. Canopy density was more strongly associated with UAV-derived volume than height. UAV-derived 90th-percentile height best predicted ground-truthed height ( R ² = 0.89; RMSE = 0.34 m), whereas LiDAR showed a weaker relationship and greater error ( R ² = 0.70; RMSE = 0.52 m). Cross-sensor agreement was moderate to strong ( r = 0.41–0.65). Per-tree rankings were stable between years for UAV height and volume. Conclusion Whole-block sensing revealed persistent spatial patterns that could support management-zone delineation. UAV photogrammetry provided accurate canopy metrics, MTLS offered measurements suited to routine orchard operations, ceptometry added seasonal canopy-density information, and ECa provided soil context. Occasional ECa mapping combined with strategically timed UAV surveys and other sensors as needed could reduce redundant sensing while supporting fertilizer evaluation, pruning, and labor allocation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVフォトグラメトリ、LiDAR、セプトメトリーによる樹冠の高さ・体積・密度の取得を中心に、地上実測との検証とセンサー間比較を行っているため、植物フェノタイピング手法の実質的な適用・検証に該当する。

abstractCanopy structure was measured using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry and mobile terrestrial laser scanning (MTLS) using light detection and ranging (LiDAR), and canopy density using mobile ceptometry.

Rice aboveground biomass estimation based on three-dimensional dry matter distribution integration model →

Accurate quantification of rice aboveground biomass (AGB) is critical for crop monitoring but remains challenging due to the complex nonlinearity arising from the coupling of plant density, spatial structure, and internal dry matter distribution. To address the limitations of single-source remote sensing, this study proposed a Three-Dimensional Dry Matter Distribution Integration (3D-DMI) model, which establishes a physically interpretable framework decomposing AGB into dry matter density ( ρ ), horizontal projection distribution ( S ), and vertical cumulative distribution ( h d ) components. Guided by this framework, a core subset of six features (Red_650, MTCI, G_correlation, R_correlation, LPI, and HPA0_99) was extracted from UAV-based multispectral, RGB, and LiDAR data using a dual-step feature selection approach combining Maximum Information Coefficient (MIC) and Distance Correlation (dCor). A Random Forest (RF) regression model was then developed to estimate AGB across the entire growth season. The results demonstrated that the 3D-DMI model achieved excellent performance with an R 2 of 0.920, an RMSE of 0.184 kg/m², and an RPD of 3.544, significantly outperforming any single-sensor approach. Single-feature analysis revealed that while LiDAR-derived structural features provided the fundamental basis for biomass estimation, they encountered inherent saturation bottlenecks during late growth stages. Feature contribution analysis based on SHAP further quantified that LiDAR-derived features dominated the estimation process (68.5% contribution), providing the volumetric basis, whereas RGB textures (18.3%) and multispectral features (13.3%) provided indispensable supplements. Ultimately, this study established a robust, physically grounded computational paradigm for high-precision UAV-based rice biomass monitoring across the entire growth cycle.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル・RGB・LiDARデータからイネの地上部バイオマスを推定する3D-DMI計算手法を開発・評価しており、植物形質の取得・抽出が研究の中心である。

abstractthis study proposed a Three-Dimensional Dry Matter Distribution Integration (3D-DMI) model

PhenoStream: a cyberinfrastructure for automated and AI-based crop trait extraction from aerial imagery. →

Abstract The integration of digital technologies for high-throughput field phenotyping is critical for accelerating crop improvement in agriculture. However, extracting traits from remote sensing data remains constrained by fragmented workflows, manual intervention, and limited interoperability among existing tools, resulting in delays that hinder timely biological insight and decision-making. To address these challenges, we present PhenoStream (Phenotyping Streaming), a scalable, end-to-end cyberinfrastructure designed to automate the full lifecycle of aerial imagery-based phenotyping, from data acquisition to plot- and genotype-level inference. The framework integrates automated data ingestion from distributed field sites, geospatial processing, and AI-enabled trait extraction within a unified, user-accessible graphical interface. Its modular and extensible architecture supports adaptable trait modeling and seamless integration of new data sources, enabling deployment across diverse crops, environments, and experimental designs. We demonstrate the system across a large multi-location field trial network of bioenergy crops, where it enables high-throughput characterization of spatiotemporal growth dynamics, genotype-by-environment (G×E) interactions, and predictive modeling of key agronomic traits. By significantly reducing processing latency and manual effort, the platform facilitates near-real-time analysis and reproducible workflows. This work establishes a generalizable and scalable pathway for operationalizing very-high-spatial resolution aerial phenotyping in agricultural research. By bridging data acquisition and analytics, the end-to-end cyberinfrastructure provides a foundation for integrating heterogeneous and unstructured data streams-including remote sensing, environmental, and management data - toward data-driven decision making in agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の航空画像から形質を自動抽出するエンドツーエンドのフェノタイピング基盤を開発・実証しており、形質取得ワークフローとプラットフォームが研究の中心である。

abstracta scalable, end-to-end cyberinfrastructure designed to automate the full lifecycle of aerial imagery-based phenotyping, from data acquisition to plot- and genotype-level inference.

SatCHM (Satellite Canopy Height Model): Leveraging deep learning for site-specific sub-meter canopy height predictions →

High-resolution monitoring of forest structure and productivity is essential for effective natural resource management. However, monitoring approaches such as field-based forest inventories or extensive lidar campaigns are costly, time-intensive, and spatially limited. Therefore, inexpensive and accessible methods are needed. SatCHM (Satellite Canopy Height Model) was developed to be an accessible and open-source tool for researchers, allowing for site-specific and temporally flexible predictions of canopy height with limited computational resources. SatCHM requires four inputs: panchromatic satellite imagery, solar and sensor angle metadata of satellite imagery, digital elevation models (DEMs), and lidar-produced CHMs for an area of interest. After SatCHM pre-processes inputs, data is loaded into a collection of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for image-to-image regression. This ensemble cooperates to yield high-resolution predictions (up to 0.5-meter) of three-dimensional tree structure with discernible tree crowns across a broader defined area of interest. After calculating the mean absolute error for each prediction output, the median of these mean absolute errors was 6.06 meters.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods森林キャノピー高と樹冠構造という植物形質を衛星画像等から推定するオープンソース手法を開発し、CNNによる推定と誤差評価まで行っており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractSatCHM (Satellite Canopy Height Model) was developed to be an accessible and open-source tool for researchers, allowing for site-specific and temporally flexible predictions of canopy height with limited computational resources.

Structural failure in cereal stems under climate extremes: insights from barley head loss. →

Structural failure of cereal stems during late-season climate extremes is a critical determinant of yield stability. In barley, breakage of the stem below the spike, known as head loss, leads to major yield losses, particularly in hot and dry regions where the crop is widely grown. Despite a predicted increase in head loss risk due to global warming, current understanding of the genetic, physiological, anatomical, and environmental factors that control head loss remains limited. Overcoming these knowledge gaps is essential to providing a systems-level strategy for barley breeders to develop climate-ready cultivars that are resilient to stem breakage and suitable for industry adoption. Here, we review present knowledge and highlight opportunities for innovation to mitigate head loss through interdisciplinary approaches that combine precise phenotyping through mechanical testing of stem strength and flexibility, high-throughput phenotyping through drone-based spike counting, and genetic modification strategies informed by studies on hormonal regulation and cell wall composition. Coupled with genotypic data, these efforts will enable the development of a genomic selection platform to facilitate future breeding programs. The framework and tools discussed here are broadly applicable to improving stem resilience in other cereal crops.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods茎の強度・柔軟性や穂数を対象とする表現型計測手法をレビューし、機械試験とドローンによる高スループット計測を育種基盤として論じているため、表現型手法が中心的です。

abstractHere, we review present knowledge and highlight opportunities for innovation to mitigate head loss through interdisciplinary approaches that combine precise phenotyping through mechanical testing of stem strength and flexibility, high-throughput phenotyping through drone-based spike counting

Phenomic Prediction I: Plot-Level Prediction of Lodging Severity in Sorghum Breeding Trials Using UAV-Based Photogrammetric Height Data →

Lodging in sorghum presents a significant challenge for plant breeders due to the trade-off between lodging resistance and grain yield. Manually measuring lodging across thousands of plots is time-consuming, expensive, and error-prone, making selection for lodging resistance challenging in breeding programs. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-derived metrics provide a potential high-throughput alternative; however, it remains unclear whether photogrammetric heights derived from UAV imagery can estimate plot-level lodging severity in large sorghum breeding trials. This study developed a framework for predicting plot-level lodging from UAV imagery across 2,675 sorghum breeding plots. Multi-temporal canopy height data were collected at two critical time points: maximum crop height and at manual lodging assessment. Height percentiles were extracted from UAV-derived point clouds generated using photogrammetric algorithms. These data were used to develop parametric, non-parametric, and ensemble prediction models, which were evaluated using three statistical metrics. The ensemble model, averaging predictions from all models, achieved the highest accuracy with Pearson correlations of r = 0.80-0.84 and lowest root mean square error (RMSE=16-18%), explaining 64-70% of variation in manual lodging counts. Model diagnostics and iterative refinement, including inspection of UAV imagery and dataset curation, had minimal impact on model performance, demonstrating the robustness of the approach. Model performance was consistent across sites, with minimal effects of stratified sampling on accuracy, confirming the ensemble approach as optimal for plot-level lodging assessment. This study demonstrates that integrated multi-temporal UAV imagery offers a practical alternative to labor-intensive manual evaluation methods by enabling high-throughput lodging assessment suitable for implementation in sorghum breeding programs.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と写真測量点群からソルガム区画の倒伏程度を推定する取得・解析フレームワークを開発し、実データで精度評価しており、植物表現型測定法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study developed a framework for predicting plot-level lodging from UAV imagery across 2,675 sorghum breeding plots.

UAV multisensor data and GAMLSS improve forage biomass estimation in Cerrado integrated crop–livestock pastures →

Introduction Accurate estimation of aboveground biomass (AGB) is essential for monitoring pasture productivity and supporting sustainable management of integrated crop–livestock (ICL) systems. We hypothesized that integrating multispectral, thermal, and canopy-structural information derived from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) would improve AGB prediction relative to spectral information alone, and that Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape (GAMLSS) would accommodate seasonal heteroscedasticity while maintaining predictive performance comparable to Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) models. Methods We collected 280 destructive biomass samples from two ICL paddocks and one continuously grazed pasture in the Brazilian Cerrado between 2022 and 2024. Twenty-four UAV-derived predictors, including spectral bands, vegetation indices, canopy surface temperature, and canopy height, were evaluated using repeated five-fold cross-validation. Model transferability was assessed by withholding one management paddock at a time. Results and discussion Under repeated five-fold cross-validation, GAMLSS achieved the lowest prediction error (R² = 0.69 ± 0.01; RMSE = 2.15 ± 0.04 Mg ha⁻¹), followed closely by SVM (R² = 0.68 ± 0.01; RMSE = 2.19 ± 0.03 Mg ha -1 ); RF showed lower accuracy (R 2 = 0.53 ± 0.01; RMSE = 2.63 ± 0.02 Mg ha -1 ). In the paddock-transferability assessment, GAMLSS also showed the lowest error (R 2 = 0.63 ± 0.04; RMSE = 2.34 ± 0.26 Mg ha -1 ). For GAMLSS, the complete multisensor configuration reduced RMSE by 6.2% compared with the spectral-only configuration. The selected model was used to generate spatially explicit maps of AGB and standing aboveground biomass carbon, estimated from the mean measured carbon concentration of forage biomass. Integrating multispectral, thermal, and structural UAV data with distributional regression improves AGB estimation and enables spatial monitoring of tropical pastures under contrasting management conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVのマルチセンサーデータと統計モデルを用いて牧草の地上部バイオマスを推定し、交差検証と圃場間移 transferability 評価を行っており、植物形質の取得・推定手法が研究の中心である。

titleUAV multisensor data and GAMLSS improve forage biomass estimation in Cerrado integrated crop–livestock pastures

Potential of UAV-derived RGB spectral indices for the early selection of cotton genotypes based on fiber quality traits →

Abstract This study evaluated the potential of UAV-derived RGB spectral indices to predict fiber quality traits in cotton genotypes. Nineteen genotypes were assessed under a randomized complete block design, and RGB imagery acquired at full flowering was used to calculate GLI, NGRDI, SCId, and SI. Significant genetic variability and moderate-to-high heritability were observed for both fiber traits and spectral indices. GLI was positively associated with the Spinning Consistency Index, whereas NGRDI was associated with fiber length uniformity. Regression models showed moderate predictive ability (R² LOOCV between 32.4–35.4%; and accuracy between 0.57–0.60). GLI and NGRDI demonstrated potential as complementary tools for large-scale phenotyping and preliminary genotype selection, although they do not replace conventional fiber quality analyses. Further studies across additional developmental stages are needed to improve prediction accuracy.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV由来RGB画像からスペクトル指標を算出し、ワタの繊維品質形質を予測する手法を評価しており、大規模フェノタイピングへの応用と予測性能の検証が中心である。

abstractThis study evaluated the potential of UAV-derived RGB spectral indices to predict fiber quality traits in cotton genotypes.

Application of Remote Sensing Technologies in Crop Health Monitoring and Disease Surveillance →

The rapid detection and continuous monitoring of crop health and disease outbreaks are critical components of modern precision agriculture, essential for maintaining global food security. Traditional field-based scouting methods, while accurate, are often labor-intensive, time-consuming, and limited by spatial coverage, making them inadequate for large-scale agricultural operations. Remote sensing (RS) technologies—spanning satellite imagery, drone-based aerial platforms, and proximal sensors—offer a powerful, non-destructive, and scalable alternative for capturing high-resolution spectral and temporal data. This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of current remote sensing applications in crop health monitoring and disease surveillance. We analyze how vegetation indices derived from multispectral and hyperspectral data, such as NDVI and red-edge parameters, serve as sensitive indicators of physiological stress and pathogen infection, often manifesting before visible symptoms appear. Furthermore, we explore the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms in automating disease identification and severity mapping. By synthesizing recent advancements in sensor technology and data analytics, this paper demonstrates that remote sensing is indispensable for proactive, site-specific management. The findings emphasize that a multi-scale RS approach—integrating broad-scale satellite monitoring with high-resolution drone sorties—enables farmers to optimize input efficiency, minimize yield losses, and enhance the overall resilience of agro-ecosystems against biotic and abiotic stressors.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods作物の健康・病害を対象に、リモートセンシング、センサー、植生指数、機械学習による状態・重症度推定を包括的に評価するレビューであり、フェノタイピング手法が中心です。

abstractThis paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of current remote sensing applications in crop health monitoring and disease surveillance.

Counting of rice panicles using drone mounted RGB sensor and deep learning approaches →

Abstract has not been obtained from indexed metadata or an accessible article page.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsドローン搭載RGBセンサーと深層学習によりイネの穂数を計測する手法が題名で明示されており、植物形質の取得・抽出が研究の中心である。

titleCounting of rice panicles using drone mounted RGB sensor and deep learning approaches

A breeding-oriented UAV phenotyping framework for scalable lodging assessment and candidate gene identification in soybean →

Lodging is a major yield-limiting factor in soybean, but efficient large-scale phenotyping and genetic dissection of this complex trait remain challenging for breeding programs. To bridge this gap, this study developed an integrated, breeding-oriented framework that links UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping with candidate gene identification. Field experiments involving 741 diverse soybean genotypes were conducted over two years, with UAV remote sensing performed at key reproductive stages (from R5 to R7). We identified UAV-derived structural (relative plant height), textural (homogeneity, dissimilarity, correlation), and spectral (NDVI, EVI, NDRE) features as the most sensitive indices for retrieving lodging severity. The fusion of these complementary features, coupled with the XGBoost algorithm, achieved high classification accuracy (0.81–0.92) across genotypes, growth stages, and years. This reliable phenotyping pipeline enabled the precise selection of contrasting genotypes (lodging-resistant vs. lodging-prone) for transcriptomic analysis. Transcriptome sequencing revealed 13,447 differentially expressed genes, with significant enrichment in phenylpropanoid and starch–sucrose metabolic pathways. Moreover, the haplotype analysis within a natural population identified superior allelic variants of two candidate genes ( Glyma.19G249100 and Glyma.05G142200 ) significantly associated with soybean lodging resistance. This work can effectively bridge the gap between scalable field phenotyping and the discovery of functionally validated breeding targets, providing an efficient and translational framework to accelerate the development of lodging-resistant soybean varieties.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像・リモートセンシング特徴量とXGBoostを統合し、ダイズの倒伏重症度を大規模に推定・検証する育種向け表現型解析パイプラインが研究の中心である。

abstractthis study developed an integrated, breeding-oriented framework that links UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping with candidate gene identification

Low-Cost and Rapid Construction of 3D Point Clouds for Field-Grown Cotton and Evaluation of Canopy-Level Traits →

Canopy 3D architecture is a critical determinant of light interception, photosynthetic efficiency, and final yield in cotton, yet its rapid and accurate characterisation remains challenging in field conditions. To achieve efficient, non-destructive, and quantitative monitoring of the canopy structure of field-grown cotton, this study proposes a 3D structure-based technology stack for high-efficiency, low-cost, and high-precision phenotyping extraction. This stack directly addresses the technical bottlenecks of traditional 3D data acquisition, namely high cost, long processing time, and low operational efficiency, which have hindered large-scale application. We developed a pipeline that integrates a fast reconstruction algorithm with a scale-recovery mechanism using ground control points (GCPs), enabling the generation of true-scale 3D point clouds from UAV aerial images in a cost- and time-effective manner. Using only 141 UAV images and with a reconstruction time of approximately 20 min, we efficiently reconstructed high-quality, scale-accurate point clouds of two 5.5 m × 5.5 m cotton plots, significantly outperforming SfM-MVS and Instant-NGP in terms of both reconstruction efficiency and point cloud completeness. This method, whose current validation is confined to a single season, one growth stage, and two experimental plots, not only achieves a breakthrough by using fewer input images with high efficiency, but also ensures point cloud accuracy and completeness, showing strong potential for rapid field monitoring and real-time management. Based on the high-quality reconstructed point clouds, we further quantitatively evaluated canopy characteristics at harvest, analyzing the coefficient of variation of canopy height, porosity distribution, and canopy volume fraction. The core shortcomings and optimization strategies for the existing canopy structure were identified, providing scientific data support and practical technical references for precision cultivation management and mechanization-compatible planting in cotton.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像からの3D点群再構成とスケール復元パイプラインを開発・比較検証し、綿花キャノピー形質を定量化することが研究の中心であるため含める。

abstractthis study proposes a 3D structure-based technology stack for high-efficiency, low-cost, and high-precision phenotyping extraction.

Field-based estimation of cotton seedling agronomic traits: Using UAV-LiDAR and weakly supervised semantic segmentation →

Accurate estimation of the cotton seedling Leaf Area Index (LAI) is essential for yield prediction and precision crop management. Traditional manual methods are limited by low throughput, while two-dimensional remote sensing techniques often struggle with sparse canopy cover and soil background interference. Although three-dimensional LiDAR presents a promising alternative, existing deep learning approaches typically depend on costly fully supervised point-wise annotations. To address this challenge, this study proposes an end-to-end framework that integrates UAV-based LiDAR, weakly supervised segmentation, and physical parameter inversion. A weakly supervised network, termed CogNet, was developed—incorporating self-distillation and structure-aware label propagation—to achieve precise segmentation of cotton plants using only 10% sparse annotations. Following instance segmentation via Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN), individual plant phenotypic traits were extracted. A nonlinear Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model was then constructed to invert LAI by leveraging allometric relationships between 3D structural parameters and leaf area. Experimental results showed that CogNet achieved an Intersection over Union (IoU) of 85.34%, effectively mitigating overfitting to label noise and achieving performance competitive with the fully supervised RandLA-Net (82.13%). Notably, under the specific conditions of this cotton seedling dataset characterized by strong geometric priors, the weakly supervised model demonstrated enhanced robustness against annotation inconsistencies. The framework attained a plant detection rate of 96.2%, and the XGBoost model delivered high estimation accuracy (R² = 0.879, RMSE = 0.138). This study demonstrates that weakly supervised learning can substantially reduce annotation costs while maintaining model performance, providing an efficient and cost-effective solution for field-scale crop phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV-LiDAR、弱教師ありセグメンテーション、個体形質抽出、LAI推定を統合した作物フェノタイピング手法の開発・評価が研究の中心である。

abstractthis study proposes an end-to-end framework that integrates UAV-based LiDAR, weakly supervised segmentation, and physical parameter inversion.

Spectral-Consistency-Aware Evaluation of Deep Super-Resolution Methods for UAV Five-Band Multispectral Crop Imagery →

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based multispectral imaging enables flexible, non-destructive crop monitoring. Although UAV imagery offers much higher spatial resolution than satellite platforms, its effective spatial detail at typical operational flight altitudes can still be insufficient for plant-level interpretation and fine canopy structure, which can reduce vegetation-index reliability. Most super-resolution (SR) research targets RGB or satellite imagery and emphasizes perceptual or pixel-wise quality, leaving the spectral fidelity of reconstructed UAV multispectral imagery under-examined. This study benchmarked an SR evaluation framework for UAV-based five-band crop imagery (Blue, Green, Red, Red-edge, and near-infrared) using the open-source AI Hub cabbage dataset, with low-resolution inputs generated by controlled downsampling at ×2, ×3, and ×4. Nine methods (bicubic, SRCNN, EDSR, RCAN, SwinIR-based, ESRGAN-based, HAT-based, DAT-based, and DRCT-based SR) were compared under joint five-channel and band-wise reconstruction on 2170 test scenes using image-quality, spectral-angle, vegetation-index (NDVI, GNDVI, NDRE), band-wise, and efficiency metrics. EDSR and RCAN gave the most balanced performance. At ×4, band-wise reconstruction was strongest for per-band spatial fidelity, where EDSR reduced RMSE by 12.6%, and RCAN lowered near-infrared RMSE by about 21% relative to bicubic, whereas joint reconstruction with its spectral-angle and vegetation-index losses best preserved spectral relationships (spectral angle and vegetation-index errors). Learning-based gains were clearest at ×4. The recently proposed HAT-based, DAT-based, and DRCT-based attention models achieved the strongest pixel-wise RMSE and PSNR but did not surpass EDSR or RCAN on spectral angle or vegetation-index preservation under the equalized training budget. These results indicate that UAV multispectral SR should be assessed by spatial fidelity together with spectral consistency and agricultural index reliability.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像の超解像法を比較・ベンチマークし、スペクトル一貫性や植生指数の信頼性を評価する研究であり、植物キャノピー形質の画像取得・抽出基盤が中心である。

abstractThis study benchmarked an SR evaluation framework for UAV-based five-band crop imagery

Hyperspectral Visual SLAM for Autonomous UAV Crop Stress Detection: A Reinforcement Learning Approach to Precision Agriculture →

Localized soil-moisture deficits, that is, irregular sub-field patches where crops experience water stress well before visible wilting, are a leading cause of yield variability in row-crop agriculture. These zones are difficult to detect at the spatial resolution and revisit frequency required for timely irrigation response. This paper presents a reinforcement-learningguided autonomous quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform that fuses onboard Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (Visual SLAM) with a pushbroom hyperspectral imaging payload to construct georeferenced, canopy-registered maps of a Crop Water-Stress Index (CWSI) in near real time. Rather than flying a fixed lawnmower survey, the platform is guided by an adaptive-sampling policy trained with Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) that reallocates flight time and sensor dwell toward regions of emerging water stress as evidence accumulates mid-flight. We present the complete engineering pipeline: airframe and sensor design, a keyframe-based Visual SLAM front and back end that provides centimeter-scale geolocation without continuous reliance on Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GNSS lock, a hyperspectral preprocessing and spectralindex chain (NDVI, NDRE, NDWI/NDMI) used to derive CWSI through a learned regression, the partially observable Markov Decision Process (POMDP) formulation and reward shaping used to train the sampling policy, and the fused system architecture tying these subsystems together. In simulated field trials over a 0.8-hectare test plot, the reinforcement-learning-guided policy achieved a 92% water-stress-zone detection rate versus 61% for a fixed-grid baseline, while reducing mission flight time by approximately 32%. We further report an ablation study isolating the contribution of SLAM-derived canopy structure to CWSI accuracy, a sensitivity analysis across field complexity, and a full error budget for the fused pipeline. We close with a discussion of validation limitations, broader scientific and agricultural impact, and a roadmap toward multi-UAV fleet deployment for whole-farm monitoring

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV、Visual SLAM、ハイパースペクトル画像、機械学習を統合し、作物の水ストレス状態を推定・地図化する技術パイプラインを開発・評価しており、植物表現型取得が中心である。

abstractThis paper presents a reinforcement-learningguided autonomous quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform that fuses onboard Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (Visual SLAM) with a pushbroom hyperspectral imaging payload to construct georeferenced, canopy-registered maps of a Crop Water-Stress Index (CWSI) in near real time.

UAV-Hyp: UAV Dataset for Remote Sensing-Based Phenotyping of Hypericum perforatum →

Quantitative flowering phenotypes are needed to support breeding and harvest management in Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John’s wort), but manual flower assessment is slow and difficult to standardize under field conditions. UAV-Hyp is a multi-temporal UAV RGB dataset containing 12,653 high-resolution images acquired at 26 measurement dates across the complete flowering period of 15 H. perforatum accessions. The images represent variable illumination, soil moisture, weed pressure, and developmental stages. The dataset provides 59,163 plant bounding boxes and 107,054 flower bounding boxes. As an application example, cascaded YOLOv8 plant and flower detectors achieved mAP@0.50:0.95 values of 0.977 and 0.950, respectively. UAV-Hyp supports scalable flower quantification and the development of time-series phenotyping methods for genotype comparison and quality-oriented medicinal-plant breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の開花形質を定量化するUAV画像データセットを提供し、検出性能も評価しているため、フェノタイピング用データセット・解析手法が中心です。

abstractUAV-Hyp is a multi-temporal UAV RGB dataset containing 12,653 high-resolution images acquired at 26 measurement dates across the complete flowering period of 15 H. perforatum accessions.

A Novel Drought-Resistance Index Balancing Foxtail Millet Yield and Quality and Its Prediction Based on UAV Multimodal Data →

Drought stress severely limits foxtail millet yield and quality, yet current drought-resistance indices are exclusively yield-oriented and ignore grain-filling quality. Our two-year (2024–2025) experiments with 24–48 varieties revealed that yield and blighted grain rate (BGR) are partially decoupled (e.g., Zhangzagu 18: yield 2307 kg/ha, BGR 0.444; Zhonggu 19: yield 1622 kg/ha, BGR 0.280). We therefore constructed the Yield–Quality Synergy Index (YQSI = DYI − BGR), which penalizes varieties with poor grain filling. The YQSI tied for first place with DYI in comprehensive screening performance and achieved the highest inter-annual stability (Spearman ρ = 0.823, Jaccard = 0.438, composite score = 1.261). Sensitivity analysis confirmed robustness of the equal-weight formula across a 4-fold range of quality-penalty weights. Six strongly drought-resistant germplasms with balanced yield and quality were identified. Using UAV multimodal data (RGB, multispectral, and thermal infrared) acquired during grain filling, a Random Forest model predicted a YQSI with overall R2 = 0.819 and an F1 score of 0.933 for variety screening. Feature-importance analysis highlighted NDVI, WDRVI, and red-edge texture as key predictors. This study provides a quality-constrained drought-resistance evaluation framework and demonstrates the potential of UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping for foxtail millet breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVのRGB・マルチスペクトル・熱赤外データから干ばつ耐性指標を予測する高スループット表現型解析手法が研究の中心であり、モデル性能も評価している。

abstractUsing UAV multimodal data (RGB, multispectral, and thermal infrared) acquired during grain filling, a Random Forest model predicted a YQSI with overall R2 = 0.819 and an F1 score of 0.933 for variety screening.

Computer Vision from Tea Cultivation to Quality Evaluation. →

Existing reviews on AI in tea production are either agriculture-generic or limited to isolated tasks. This review thoroughly compares vision technologies (RGB, hyperspectral, near-infrared, thermal, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)) and establishes a task-oriented algorithm selection framework for the tea industry. For small-sample or near-linear problems, traditional machine learning (ML) (support vector machine (SVM); partial least squares regression (PLSR)) remains effective. For unstructured field tasks, deep learning achieves superior performance: pest detection accuracy exceeds 97%, tea bud detection reaches 96.8% with RGB images, and hyperspectral imaging predicts nitrogen content with R 2 > 0.90 and tea polyphenols with R 2 up to 0.925. Algorithm choice further differentiates by task granularity: lightweight convolutional neural networks (CNNs) balance speed and accuracy for edge deployment at 16 fps; You Only Look Once (YOLO) series detectors enable real-time localization on mobile platforms at 93.1% accuracy, 24 ms per target. No single algorithm dominates all tea tasks; selection is a trade-off among accuracy, speed, data availability, and computational constraints. These findings outline a structured analysis of the challenges and pathways for transitioning computer vision (CV) from laboratory research toward field-deployable tools.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods茶作物の画像センシング技術と解析アルゴリズムを体系的に比較し、害虫検出や窒素含量予測など植物状態・形質の推定方法を扱う方法論レビューである。

abstractThis review thoroughly compares vision technologies (RGB, hyperspectral, near-infrared, thermal, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)) and establishes a task-oriented algorithm selection framework for the tea industry.

UAV-Based Classification of Crop Phenological Stages Using Deep Learning →

This study investigates the automatic classification of crop phenological stages from low-altitude UAV RGB imagery. The dataset included 11,489 images of five crops: sunflower, rapeseed, soybean, wheat, and barley. The images were annotated using the Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale, with labels corresponding to either single stages or stage ranges to reflect heterogeneous field conditions and transitional crop states. A pretrained ResNet18 model was adapted to the task using transfer learning. Training was conducted in two stages: first, the classification head was optimized while the backbone remained frozen; second, the entire network was fine-tuned. The model achieved strong internal test accuracy across all crops, with 100% test accuracy for rapeseed and barley, more than 99% for the remaining crops, and a mean accuracy of 99.73% under the studied survey conditions. The results also compare favorably with previously reported studies on UAV-based phenological classification. Overall, the findings support the potential of low-altitude UAV imagery and deep learning for localized phenological assessment of selected field zones in precision agriculture, while broader deployment requires validation across independent fields, seasons, regions, and survey conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と深層学習により作物の生育（フェノロジー）段階を自動推定する手法が研究の中心であり、植物状態の取得・分類に直接関わる。

abstractThis study investigates the automatic classification of crop phenological stages from low-altitude UAV RGB imagery.

Comparison of UAV Image-Based Detection Accuracy of Pine Wilt Disease-Affected Trees Using Different Dataset Compositions and Attention Modules →

This study evaluated the effects of input-channel composition and the incorporation of attention modules on the detection accuracy of visually suspected pine wilt disease (PWD)-affected trees using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) RGB orthomosaic imagery and the YOLO26-Large (YOLO26-L) deep learning model.Four datasets were constructed: Dataset A, consisting of three RGB channels; Dataset B, combining RGB with elevation and aspect (5 channels); Dataset C, combining RGB with three graylevel co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) texture features, namely Angular Second Mement (ASM), Entropy, and Homogeneity (6 channels); and Dataset D, combining RGB with the GLCM texture features and topographic information, namely elevation and aspect (8 channels).The Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE) block and Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) were independently integrated into the YOLO26-L baseline model, and the detection performance of the 12 combinations was analyzed.In the accuracy assessment, the YOLO26-L baseline model trained with Dataset B achieved the highest mean Average Precision (mAP)@50 of 0.63 among the 12 combinations.However, the differences among the 12 combinations were marginal and did not indicate the superiority of a specific combination.Dataset C and Dataset D, which incorporated GLCM texture features, achieved accuracy levels similar to those of Dataset A, which used RGB alone, indicating that GLCM texture features did not substantially improve the detection of PWD-affected trees in 5-cm-resolution imagery.The application of attention modules also did not lead to a consistent improvement in accuracy, and the detection rates of all 12 combinations remained around 60% for objects smaller than 25 m².These results suggest that simply adding texture features or attention modules did not reliably improve detection accuracy.This study extends RGB-based UAV detection of PWD-affected trees by progressively integrating elevation, aspect, and GLCM texture features into four datasets and evaluating their interactions with SE and CBAM attention modules across a 12-combination experimental matrix.The results can inform the selection of input channels and model architectures in future forest disease detection studies.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と深層学習モデルを用いてマツ材線虫病罹病木の検出精度、入力特徴、注意機構を比較評価しており、植物の病害状態を推定する方法の技術的検証が中心である。

abstractThis study evaluated the effects of input-channel composition and the incorporation of attention modules on the detection accuracy of visually suspected pine wilt disease (PWD)-affected trees using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) RGB orthomosaic imagery and the YOLO26-Large (YOLO26-L) deep learning model.

Rice evapotranspiration estimation and irrigation optimization based on coupling UAV multispectral and thermal infrared imagery with the FAO-56 model →

Abstract China's rice production and environmental sustainability are largely dependent on the cold black soil region in Northeast China, where precise water and nitrogen management is challenged by water scarcity and high carbon emissions. To overcome the limitations of conventional empirical management and improve the accuracy of evapotranspiration (ET) estimation in controlled-irrigation paddy fields, this study proposes a novel framework integrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) multispectral and thermal infrared observations, the FAO-56 dual crop coefficient approach, and the NSGA-II multi-objective optimization model. To parameterize and validate this methodology, field data comprising four lower limit thresholds for controlled irrigation and four nitrogen fertilizer application rates were acquired from the Rice Research Site of Farm 856, Heilongjiang Province, China. This integrated approach was used to systematically evaluate rice growth, water consumption, resource use efficiency, and greenhouse gas emissions under different water-nitrogen treatments. Based on these evaluations, an irrigation optimization scheme was developed using daily crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The results indicated that water, nitrogen, and their interaction significantly affected rice yield, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFPN), and global warming potential (GWP). Treatments W3N2 (80%+155 kg/ha N) and W3N3 (80%+200 kg/ha N) achieved the highest yields, 11,883.51 and 11,436.82 kg/ha, respectively, whereas W2N1 (70%+110 kg/ha N) exhibited the best comprehensive performance, with a TCQ value of 0.65. Among the tested vegetation indices, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) showed the strongest correlation with the basal crop coefficient, with an R²of 0.85. The NDVI -crop water stress index ( CWSI ) coupled model achieved the highest ET c estimation accuracy (R 2 = 0.89, RMSE = 0.39 mm/day), reducing the RMSE by 10.3% compared to the traditional, Multi-objective optimization revealed obvious trade-offs among high yield, water saving, high nitrogen efficiency, and low emissions. Scenario S5 was identified as the optimal solution, with an irrigation amount of 669.94 mm, a nitrogen rate of 117.48 kg/ha, a yield of 11,473.43 kg/ha, and the highest coordination degree of 0.86. These results demonstrate that coupling UAV multispectral and thermal infrared imagery with the FAO-56 model can effectively improve ETc estimation and provide reliable data support for water-nitrogen multi-objective optimization in cold-region rice production.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル・熱赤外画像とFAO-56を結合し、イネの蒸発散量を推定する手法を開発・検証しており、ETc推定精度も定量評価しているため、単なる灌漑試験ではなく植物状態の計測手法が中心です。

abstractthis study proposes a novel framework integrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) multispectral and thermal infrared observations, the FAO-56 dual crop coefficient approach, and the NSGA-II multi-objective optimization model.

Multi-scale reconstruction of snow-avalanche frequency and vegetation structure using dendrogeomorphology, satellite imagery, and UAV photogrammetry →

This study presents a multi-scale framework for reconstructing snow avalanche (SA) frequency and assessing vegetation structural responses in data-scarce mountain environments. The approach integrates dendrogeomorphological reconstructions, satellite-based spectral disturbance detection, and UAV-based Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, complemented by field data, and was applied to two avalanche paths in the Piatra Craiului Mountains (Southern Carpathians, Romania). Tree ring analyses allowed reconstruction of spatially explicit minimum avalanche chronologies for the 1980–2025 period. These reconstructions were combined with a DEM-based upslope algorithm to derive spatially variable avalanche return periods, revealing the highest frequencies in release and upper-track sectors and progressively longer return periods toward lower-track zones. Sentinel-2 imagery was used to assess the surface footprint of a reconstructed avalanche event in 2018. Among the tested spectral indices, the Moisture Stress Index (MSI) showed the most spatially coherent response, while the combined MSI-NDMI-NBR approach reduced index-specific noise. UAV-SfM photogrammetry supports high-resolution mapping of vegetation structure and surface states. Vegetation was classified using a machine-learning-based object-oriented approach (Random Forest) integrating spectral, geometric, structural, and textural parameters. The multi-parameter feature set yielded very high classification accuracy (Cohen’s Kappa ≈ 0.95). Across avalanche return-period gradients, both UAV-derived and field-based metrics showed a systematic associations between tree height and avalanche frequency, whereas tree age and stem diameter exhibited more variable, path-dependent responses. The proposed framework provides a transferable basis for linking avalanche disturbance regimes with vegetation structure and surface stability in mountain landscapes lacking long-term observational records.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV-SfMと機械学習による植生構造・樹高の高解像度推定が研究枠組みの主要部分であり、分類精度も評価しているため、植物状態の画像ベース表現型計測として含める。

abstractUAV-SfM photogrammetry supports high-resolution mapping of vegetation structure and surface states.

Comparative evaluation of five biomass quantification methods in bermudagrass →

Accurate estimation of pasture biomass is essential for determining cattle stocking rates and grazing durations. The objective of this study was to comparatively evaluate five sensor-based systems for estimating aboveground Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) biomass and identify the leading sensing approach for continued development and broader validation. The five systems included Structure-from-Motion (SfM), Ultrasound Sensor and Ski (US-Ski), Inertial Measurement Unit and Ski (IMU-Ski), Inertial Measurement Unit and Roller (IMU-Roller), and Depth Camera (DC). These systems were deployed on unmanned aerial and ground vehicles to measure crop height under identical field conditions. Regression models relating measured crop height to wet biomass yield (WBY) were developed as a common calibration framework for statistically comparing sensor performance. These empirical allometric equations were intended to support comparative benchmarking of the sensing systems and were not developed as final operational biomass prediction models for immediate field deployment. The influence of vegetation coverage on yield predictions generated by the crop height-based equations was also examined. The results indicated that the IMU-Ski system demonstrated the strongest overall comparative performance (R2 = 0.97; SeY = 1112 kg-wet/ha), followed by the DC system (R2 = 0.97; SeY = 1132 kg-wet/ha). Based on its overall benchmarking performance, including calibration accuracy, residual error and simplicity, the IMU-Ski system was identified as the leading sensing approach for continued development and broader validation among the five evaluated methods. The results also indicated that addition of vegetation coverage into the crop height-based regression models did not significantly improve prediction accuracy under the experimental conditions evaluated.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods複数のセンサーシステムによる牧草バイオマス推定を比較・校正・ベンチマークしており、植物形質の取得法と技術性能の評価が研究の中心です。

abstractcomparatively evaluate five sensor-based systems for estimating aboveground Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) biomass

High‐throughput assessment of plant stand establishment, seedling vigor, and light interception in peanut using UAV‐based RGB and multispectral imagery →

Abstract In peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.), plant stand establishment, seedling vigor, and canopy growth are key determinants of crop performance; yet traditional ground‐based assessment methods can be destructive, labor‐intensive, and limited in throughput. This study evaluated the potential of vegetation metrics derived from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)‐based red‐green‐blue (RGB) and multispectral (MS) imagery for high‐throughput, nondestructive assessment of plant stand establishment, seedling vigor, and light interception in peanut. Six runner‐type peanut cultivars were evaluated in 2024 and seven in 2025, with each cultivar represented by two seed size classes (small and large), to generate variation in these traits. Within‐row vegetation discontinuity‐based plant stand ratings for estimating plant stand count ( R 2 = 0.81–0.90), together with canopy coverage for assessing seedling biomass ( R 2 = 0.77–0.82) and light interception ( R 2 = 0.96–0.98), were the best‐performing vegetation metrics. These vegetation metrics provided similar or greater cultivar separation compared with ground‐based measurements. In contrast, several vegetation indices exhibited strong correlations with ground‐based measurements but provided inconsistent cultivar rankings and statistical groupings. MS imagery outperformed RGB imagery for plant stand and seedling biomass assessment. Overall, these results demonstrate that UAV‐derived canopy metrics provide reliable, high‐throughput tools for early‐ to mid‐season crop assessment and offer scalable alternatives to traditional ground‐based approaches for agronomic, crop physiological, and plant breeding research.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から植物体の出芽・苗勢・バイオマス・光 interception を推定する植 phenotyping 手法を開発・評価しており、取得指標の性能検証が研究の中心です。

abstractThis study evaluated the potential of vegetation metrics derived from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)‐based red‐green‐blue (RGB) and multispectral (MS) imagery for high‐throughput, nondestructive assessment of plant stand establishment, seedling vigor, and light interception in peanut.

Precision Greenhouse Rose Phenotyping from UAV Imagery Using a Multi-Source Dataset and Lightweight BloomRoseNet →

Accurate detection of blooming roses and flower buds is essential for greenhouse phenotyping, cultivation scheduling, harvest planning, and yield management. However, UAV-derived greenhouse imagery presents major challenges because rose targets are often small, densely distributed, partially occluded, and visually similar to complex backgrounds. This study proposes a lightweight rose detection framework that combines multi-source dataset construction with an improved YOLOv12n-based detector, termed BloomRoseNet. A GreenHouse Rose dataset was constructed by integrating self-collected UAV overhead images, screened RoseTracker images, and supplementary multi-view rose images to increase diversity in scale, growth stage, viewpoint, and background complexity. BloomRoseNet introduces task-oriented improvements for fine-grained feature extraction, adaptive feature fusion, and attention-enhanced detection. The supplementary multi-view data improved precision, recall, and mAP@50 from 85.2%, 82.8%, and 89.2% to 86.1%, 85.3%, and 90.5%, respectively. Compared with the baseline YOLOv12n, BloomRoseNet increased precision, recall, mAP@50, and mAP@50:95 by 3.2, 3.3, 3.6, and 1.6 percentage points, respectively, while reducing parameters from 2.55 M to 2.08 M and model size from 5.5 MB to 4.5 MB. The model also maintained real-time inference capability and stronger robustness under blur, occlusion, and illumination disturbances. The proposed framework provides an effective and practical solution for UAV-based greenhouse rose monitoring and supports precision cultivation management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsバラの開花・蕾を対象としたUAV画像フェノタイピング手法を開発し、データセット構築、検出モデル改良、性能評価を中心に扱っているため。

abstractThis study proposes a lightweight rose detection framework that combines multi-source dataset construction with an improved YOLOv12n-based detector, termed BloomRoseNet.

UAV-Based Thermal Inversion for Canopy Temperature Retrieval and Precision Irrigation. →

Accurate assessment of crop water status is critical for precision irrigation and sustainable water management in agriculture. This study develops a UAV-based thermal infrared inversion framework for high-resolution canopy temperature retrieval and irrigation decision support in tea plantations. The proposed approach integrates multi-frame image mosaicking, threshold-based canopy extraction, and a gray-temperature calibration model to generate spatially continuous canopy temperature maps. Crop water stress was quantified using the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI), and its reliability was further evaluated by analyzing its relationship with stomatal conductance. The framework further estimates soil moisture status and irrigation requirements based on a threshold-based irrigation strategy. The results show that the linear gray-temperature calibration model achieved a maximum absolute error of less than 0.3 °C and that the calculated CWSI and estimated irrigation requirement were strongly correlated with measured stomatal conductance, with R 2 up to 0.91. The proposed method provides a practical technical workflow from UAV thermal imagery acquisition to canopy temperature retrieval and quantitative irrigation decision-making, demonstrating its potential for precision irrigation management in tea plantations.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV熱画像から茶園の樹冠温度と水ストレスを推定する取得・抽出・較正手法を開発し、気孔コンダクタンスとの関係で検証しており、植物状態の計測が中心である。

abstractThis study develops a UAV-based thermal infrared inversion framework for high-resolution canopy temperature retrieval and irrigation decision support in tea plantations.

UAV-Based Classification of Crop Phenological Stages Using Deep Learning →

This study investigates the automatic classification of crop phenological stages from low-altitude UAV RGB imagery. The dataset included 11,489 images of five crops: sunflower, rapeseed, soybean, wheat, and barley. The images were annotated using the Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale, with labels corresponding to either single stages or stage ranges to reflect heterogeneous field conditions and transitional crop states. A pretrained ResNet18 model was adapted to the task using transfer learning. Training was conducted in two stages: first, the classification head was optimized while the backbone remained frozen; second, the entire network was fine-tuned. The model achieved strong internal test accuracy across all crops, with 100% test accuracy for rapeseed and barley, more than 99% for the remaining crops, and a mean accuracy of 99.73% under the studied survey conditions. The results also compare favorably with previously reported studies on UAV-based phenological classification. Overall, the findings support the potential of low-altitude UAV imagery and deep learning for localized phenological assessment of selected field zones in precision agriculture, while broader deployment requires validation across independent fields, seasons, regions, and survey conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と深層学習により作物の生育・フェノロジー段階を自動推定する方法が研究の中心であり、植物状態の抽出性能も評価している。

abstractThis study investigates the automatic classification of crop phenological stages from low-altitude UAV RGB imagery.

Trait-Specific Contributions of UAV Multispectral, RGB and Structural Features to Soybean SPAD and Plant Height Phenotyping →

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery can support plot-scale crop phenotyping, but spectral, RGB and structural predictors may contribute differently to different traits. We compared six predefined feature groups for predicting soybean SPAD and plant height (PH) in a 1.3 ha field experiment in Sanya, China. The field contained 6197 soybean planting plots, of which 234 had paired SPAD and PH measurements. Multispectral bands, vegetation indices (VIs), RGB descriptors and digital surface model (DSM) metrics were extracted from DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral imagery. Six regression algorithms were evaluated using random fivefold cross-validation, spatial block cross-validation and nested spatial cross-validation. Under random cross-validation, ExtraTrees with multispectral bands, VIs and RGB descriptors produced the numerically highest SPAD performance (R2 = 0.589; RMSE = 6.66), while BayesianRidge with multispectral bands, VIs and DSM metrics produced the highest PH performance (R2 = 0.760; RMSE = 7.14 cm). Nested spatial cross-validation yielded R2 = 0.473 and RMSE = 7.56 for SPAD and R2 = 0.690 and RMSE = 8.13 cm for PH. G4 was selected in four of the five outer folds for SPAD, although the selected algorithm varied, and G5 was selected in all five outer folds for PH. VIs improved prediction of both traits relative to the original bands. Adding RGB descriptors produced only a small and model-dependent improvement for SPAD, whereas adding DSM metrics produced a larger and more consistent improvement for PH. The complete feature set did not outperform G4 for SPAD or G5 for PH. The retained models were applied to all 6197 plots to map SPAD, PH and their field relative combinations. Because all of the validations used one field and one UAV acquisition date, the results describe performance within this experiment and do not establish transferability to other sites, years or growth stages.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル・RGB・構造特徴からSPADと草丈を推定する特徴抽出および回帰手法を、複数の空間交差検証で比較・評価しており、植物表現型取得が研究の中心である。

titleTrait-Specific Contributions of UAV Multispectral, RGB and Structural Features to Soybean SPAD and Plant Height Phenotyping

Canopy height from drone photogrammetry better predicts aboveground biomass than vegetation greenness indices in a semi-arid savanna →

Semi-arid rangelands support livelihoods and key ecosystem services, yet sustainable management depends on accurate and scalable monitoring of herbaceous aboveground biomass (AGB). Field-based measurements are spatially limited, while satellite-derived vegetation indices often perform poorly in complex savanna systems such as the Kalahari. Using unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry, we evaluate the ability of fine-scale canopy height and spectral reflectance metrics to predict herbaceous biomass across a grazing intensity gradient. Canopy height consistently predicted AGB across all grazing levels, whereas normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) effects were weak and grazing-dependent. The UAV-derived canopy height showed strong relationships with total herbaceous AGB, explaining up to 72% of observed variation, whereas vegetation greenness measured using NDVI showed limited predictive power. In contrast, predicting biomass of foraging importance proved challenging, with UAV-derived structural and spectral metrics explaining only a small proportion of variation. Together, these findings highlight the value of UAV-derived structural measurements over traditional spectral indices for fine-scale rangeland monitoring in semi-arid systems, while underscoring the limitations of current UAV-based spectral and structural metrics for assessing forage value across species and sites.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV SfMフォトグラメトリから植物群落の canopy height を抽出し、地上部バイオマス予測性能を評価しており、植物形質取得法の技術的適用・検証が中心である。

abstractUsing unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry, we evaluate the ability of fine-scale canopy height and spectral reflectance metrics to predict herbaceous biomass across a grazing intensity gradient.

Canopy height from drone photogrammetry better predicts aboveground biomass than vegetation greenness indices in a semi-arid savanna →

Semi-arid rangelands support livelihoods and key ecosystem services, yet sustainable management depends on accurate and scalable monitoring of herbaceous aboveground biomass (AGB). Field-based measurements are spatially limited, while satellite-derived vegetation indices often perform poorly in complex savanna systems such as the Kalahari. Using unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry, we evaluate the ability of fine-scale canopy height and spectral reflectance metrics to predict herbaceous biomass across a grazing intensity gradient. Canopy height consistently predicted AGB across all grazing levels, whereas normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) effects were weak and grazing-dependent. The UAV-derived canopy height showed strong relationships with total herbaceous AGB, explaining up to 72% of observed variation, whereas vegetation greenness measured using NDVI showed limited predictive power. In contrast, predicting biomass of foraging importance proved challenging, with UAV-derived structural and spectral metrics explaining only a small proportion of variation. Together, these findings highlight the value of UAV-derived structural measurements over traditional spectral indices for fine-scale rangeland monitoring in semi-arid systems, while underscoring the limitations of current UAV-based spectral and structural metrics for assessing forage value across species and sites.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV-SfMによるキャノピー高とスペクトル指標から植物群落のバイオマスを推定し、手法の予測性能を比較評価しており、植物形質取得が研究の中心です。

abstractUsing unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry, we evaluate the ability of fine-scale canopy height and spectral reflectance metrics to predict herbaceous biomass across a grazing intensity gradient.

Canopy height from drone photogrammetry better predicts aboveground biomass than vegetation greenness indices in a semi-arid savanna →

Semi-arid rangelands support livelihoods and key ecosystem services, yet sustainable management depends on accurate and scalable monitoring of herbaceous aboveground biomass (AGB). Field-based measurements are spatially limited, while satellite-derived vegetation indices often perform poorly in complex savanna systems such as the Kalahari. Using unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry, we evaluate the ability of fine-scale canopy height and spectral reflectance metrics to predict herbaceous biomass across a grazing intensity gradient. Canopy height consistently predicted AGB across all grazing levels, whereas normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) effects were weak and grazing-dependent. The UAV-derived canopy height showed strong relationships with total herbaceous AGB, explaining up to 72% of observed variation, whereas vegetation greenness measured using NDVI showed limited predictive power. In contrast, predicting biomass of foraging importance proved challenging, with UAV-derived structural and spectral metrics explaining only a small proportion of variation. Together, these findings highlight the value of UAV-derived structural measurements over traditional spectral indices for fine-scale rangeland monitoring in semi-arid systems, while underscoring the limitations of current UAV-based spectral and structural metrics for assessing forage value across species and sites.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV-SfMによるキャノピー高とスペクトル指標を用いた植物バイオマス推定を比較・評価しており、植物形質の取得・推定手法が研究の中心である。

abstractUsing unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry, we evaluate the ability of fine-scale canopy height and spectral reflectance metrics to predict herbaceous biomass across a grazing intensity gradient.

Physics-Informed Transfer Learning Reduces Simulation to Reality Gaps for Winter Wheat Traits Retrieval from Hyperspectral Observations →

Accurate retrieval of crop structural and physiological traits from remote sensing data remains challenging due to limited field observations and poor cross-platform generalization of data-driven models. This study develops a physics-informed transfer learning framework to quantify the contributions of improving simulated data fidelity and increasing model complexity to retrieving winter wheat leaf area index (LAI) and canopy chlorophyll content (CCC) from hyperspectral observations. Two PROSAIL-D datasets with default and physically optimized leaf angle distributions were generated to represent different levels of simulation fidelity. Four dual-branch deep learning architectures (CNN, CNN–SE, CNN–Transformer, and CNN–SE–Transformer) integrating spectral bands and vegetation indices were pretrained on simulated datasets and transferred to real observations using progressive fine-tuning. Model performance was assessed using ground-based and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) hyperspectral datasets, and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis was applied to interpret feature contributions. Results demonstrated that transfer learning substantially improved cross-domain generalization, while enhancing simulation fidelity provided greater performance gains than increasing network complexity. The CNN–Transformer model pretrained on physically optimized simulations achieved the highest accuracy and robustness for both LAI and CCC retrieval. At ground and UAV scales, it achieved LAI estimation accuracies of R2 = 0.55 (RMSE = 0.63) and R2 = 0.53 (RMSE = 0.62), respectively. For CCC estimation, the model obtained R2 = 0.59 at both scales, with RMSE values of 36.12 μg cm⁻2 and 37.56 μg cm⁻2 for ground and UAV observations, respectively. SHAP analysis indicated that physically optimized simulations shifted model attention toward physiologically relevant vegetation indices, whereas default simulations induced stronger dependence on unstable visible wavelengths. Physically informed simulation design combined with transfer learning effectively reduces simulation to reality discrepancies, whereas increasing deep model complexity alone provides limited improvement. The proposed framework offers an accurate, interpretable, and scalable solution for cross-platform crop trait retrieval from hyperspectral observations.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsハイパースペクトル観測から冬コムギのLAIと群落クロロフィル含量を推定する物理情報付き転移学習フレームワークを開発し、地上およびUAVデータで性能評価しており、植物形質取得・推定手法が中心である。

abstractThis study develops a physics-informed transfer learning framework to quantify the contributions of improving simulated data fidelity and increasing model complexity to retrieving winter wheat leaf area index (LAI) and canopy chlorophyll content (CCC) from hyperspectral observations.

Mapping Neighborhood Spatial Structure in Traditional Home Gardens Using UAV-Derived 3D Canopy Models →

Understanding the spatial structure of tree communities is fundamental for evaluating ecological interactions and management dynamics in agroforestry systems. However, the structural complexity and small spatial scale of traditional agroecosystems often limit the use of conventional remote sensing approaches. Recent advances in drone-based photogrammetry offer new opportunities to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of vegetation at high spatial resolution and to quantify tree-level structural attributes. In this study, we applied aerial photogrammetry from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to characterize the spatial structure of agroforestry systems in traditional home gardens (THGs) in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The immediate neighborhood structure of the tree community of 20 THGs distributed along a south–north precipitation gradient was analyzed using two focal species as anchor references: Spondias purpurea and Annona muricata. High-resolution orthomosaics and three-dimensional point cloud models were generated to estimate structural attributes, including tree height, crown area, crown surface area, and canopy volume, which were combined with field measurements of diameter at breast height. Spatial indices describing aggregation, dominance, and neighborhood diversity were calculated to evaluate tree spatial organization and potential interaction patterns. The UAV-derived structural metrics revealed significant differences in canopy architecture across regions and between focal species. Regardless of the focal species, trees in the southern region exhibited greater height, crown diameter, and canopy volume than those in the northern region. Moreover, the spatial arrangement of tree communities also differed depending on which focal species was considered as the anchor, suggesting contrasting strategies of canopy dominance and spatial coexistence. Finally, our results validate the use of drone-based photogrammetry as an effective approach for capturing fine-scale spatial structure in complex agroforestry systems. By enabling detailed three-dimensional reconstruction of tree canopies, UAV remote sensing offers an affordable, simple approach to investigate neighborhood interactions, management effects, and structural dynamics in traditional agroecosystems that are difficult to assess using conventional field- or satellite-based methods.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV空撮フォトグラメトリと3D点群から樹高・樹冠面積・樹冠表面積・林冠体積を推定し、その有効性も検証しており、植物形質取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractHigh-resolution orthomosaics and three-dimensional point cloud models were generated to estimate structural attributes, including tree height, crown area, crown surface area, and canopy volume

Remote Sensing and Machine Learning for Monitoring Soil Nitrogen Dynamics and Crop Nitrogen Status in Field Conditions →

Efficient nitrogen (N) management is essential for sustaining crop productivity while minimizing environmental impacts associated with nitrogen losses. However, the high spatial and temporal variability of soil nitrogen dynamics and crop nitrogen status makes field-scale monitoring challenging, while conventional soil and plant sampling methods are labor-intensive, destructive, and provide limited spatial coverage. Recent advances in remote sensing technologies and machine learning (ML) offer promising alternatives for high-throughput, non-destructive monitoring of crop nitrogen status and related nitrogen dynamics in agroecosystems. This review synthesizes current progress in the use of proximal and remote sensing platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), satellites, and ground-based sensors for assessing crop nitrogen status and inferring soil nitrogen availability. We examine spectral, thermal, and structural indicators, together with emerging sensor-fusion and time-series approaches. We also evaluate ML algorithms, including emerging foundation model approaches, for estimating crop nitrogen status and inferring soil nitrogen indicators, highlighting their performance, limitations, and transferability across environments. Particular emphasis is placed on field-scale applications in heterogeneous and water-limited systems, where nitrogen-water interactions critically influence crop responses. Finally, we discuss current challenges, including data scarcity, model generalization, and operational constraints, and outline future directions toward integrated, real-time decision support systems for precision nitrogen management. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive framework for leveraging remote sensing and data-driven approaches to improve nitrogen monitoring and enhance nitrogen use efficiency in diverse cropping systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods作物の窒素状態という植物形質を対象に、リモートセンシングと機械学習による推定手法を体系的にレビューしており、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractThis review synthesizes current progress in the use of proximal and remote sensing platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), satellites, and ground-based sensors for assessing crop nitrogen status and inferring soil nitrogen availability.

Nanosensors and Geospatial Technologies for Early Crop-stress Detection in Precision Agriculture: A Critical Multiscale Synthesis →

Crop stress develops through a sequence that begins with molecular and biophysical perturbation, progresses through physiological dysfunction, and only later becomes visually apparent. Precision agriculture therefore requires sensors that can shorten the interval between stress onset and actionable diagnosis while preserving spatial context. This critical narrative review examines the complementary roles of nanosensors, plant-wearable and implantable electronics, proximal sensing, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite remote sensing, and geographic information systems in early crop-stress detection. Literature published from 2000 to 1 June 2026 was selected through live searches of accessible scholarly indexes, DOI registries, publisher records, institutional repositories, and citation networks, with foundational studies retained where necessary. The evidence shows that nano-enabled interfaces can measure early biochemical, ionic, volatile, electrical, and microclimatic signals at high temporal resolution, whereas geospatial technologies reveal the distribution, persistence, and management relevance of stress across canopies and fields. Optical nanotube sensors, surface-enhanced Raman probes, electrochemical microneedles, ion-selective wearables, and flexible leaf sensors have demonstrated biologically meaningful signals before visible symptoms in controlled or pilot field settings. Yet most remain constrained by sparse sampling, crop-specific calibration, bio-interface effects, power and communication burdens, uncertain durability, and limited agronomic validation. Geospatial methods are operationally more mature, particularly thermal and multispectral imaging for water stress and hyperspectral imaging for disease and nutrient-related changes, but they often infer stress through non-specific proxies that are confounded by canopy structure, atmosphere, soil background, phenology, and co-occurring stresses. The strongest future architecture is therefore not a contest between nanoscale and landscape-scale sensing. It is a multiscale system in which physiologically specific plant sensors anchor and interpret spatial imagery, while remote sensing directs where high-specificity measurements and interventions are most valuable. Progress depends on prospective field trials, reference measurements, uncertainty-aware data fusion, interoperability, lifecycle safety assessment, and decision thresholds linked to economic and agronomic outcomes.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物ストレス状態の検出に用いるナノセンサー、ウェアラブルセンサー、熱・マルチスペクトル・ハイパースペクトル画像などを中心に批判的に統合した方法レビューであり、単なる農業応用紹介ではなく、センサー性能、校正、検証、データ融合を論じている。

abstractThis critical narrative review examines the complementary roles of nanosensors, plant-wearable and implantable electronics, proximal sensing, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite remote sensing, and geographic information systems in early crop-stress detection.

Dynamic Prediction of Maize Tasseling Stage Based on UAV LiDAR Time-Series Plant Height Growth Curves: A Framework Coupling UAV-CHM-POI →

Accurate identification and effective prediction of the maize tasseling stage are of great significance for guiding precision field management and ensuring stable crop yields. Conventional manual observation methods suffer from high labor intensity, poor timeliness, and strong subjectivity. In this study, based on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing platform, LiDAR point cloud data and RGB imagery were simultaneously acquired to construct digital surface models (DSMs) and digital terrain models (DTMs). Multi-dimensional statistical features were extracted to establish a high-precision plant height estimation method applicable to the entire growth cycle of maize. On this basis, the Logistic growth curve function was introduced to fit the dynamic changes in plant height, enabling the identification and early prediction of the maize tasseling stage based on the plant height growth curve. The research results indicate the following: (1) For maize plant height estimation, the LiDAR sensor outperforms RGB. The optimal accuracy is achieved by combining the 99th percentile of DSM with the minimum DTM, yielding a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.17 m. (2) Based on the high-accuracy plant height time series, the point of inflection (POI) achieves the highest accuracy in tasseling stage identification, with an RMSE of 2.586 d under the reconstructed time series. (3) Prediction accuracy of the tasseling stage improves with increasing plant height threshold, and optimal performance is observed when the threshold is ≥1.6 m with a growth rate between 0.11 and 0.13. This study establishes a technical framework of "time-series perception-dynamic simulation-feature identification-early prediction", providing a scientific basis for automated monitoring and precision management of the maize tasseling stage. It holds significant theoretical and practical value for the advancement of smart agriculture and crop phenotyping research.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV LiDAR/RGBによる草丈推定と時系列成長曲線から、トウモロコシの抽だい期を識別・予測する技術フレームワークが研究の中心であり、植物形質取得と検証を伴うため採用。

abstractMulti-dimensional statistical features were extracted to establish a high-precision plant height estimation method applicable to the entire growth cycle of maize.

Deep learning combined with UAV to assist in leaf color breeding of Chinese cabbage →

Abstract Leaf color is an important trait affecting vegetable quality, yield, and market value. However, traditional methods for leaf color assessment are often subjective or destructive, which limits accurate and high-throughput phenotyping. In this study, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)–based multispectral imaging platform was used to collect phenotypic data from 214 Chinese cabbage inbred lines at the rosette stage. A multispectral UNet model was applied to segment individual plants, and a membership function was used to quantify leaf color on a continuous scale. Based on these high-throughput phenotypic data, a genome-wide association study was used to identify two candidate genes, BrEMB976 and BrGSH2, on chromosome A06. Subsequent virus-induced gene silencing analysis showed that silencing these genes altered leaf color. In addition, a deep learning-based genomic selection model, BrDeepGS, was developed for leaf color prediction, which achieved a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.853. These results demonstrate the potential of integrating UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping, candidate gene analysis, and genomic prediction for leaf color evaluation and selection in Chinese cabbage breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像、個体分割、葉色の連続量化による高スループット表現型取得が研究の中心であり、育種への応用も行っている。

abstractan unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)–based multispectral imaging platform was used to collect phenotypic data from 214 Chinese cabbage inbred lines

Cotton seedling detection based on super-resolution reconstruction from UAV remote sensing imagery →

Accurate and efficient acquisition of seedling density and growth information is of great significance for guiding modern agricultural field management. Although drone imagery has been widely used in seedling monitoring, the inherent trade-off between operational efficiency and image resolution limits the effectiveness of remote sensing-based seedling detection. To address this challenge, this study proposes an integrated analytical method combining super-resolution reconstruction and object detection. The approach first employs the Real-ESRGAN model to enhance low-resolution image quality, then utilizes the YOLOv12 model to accurately localize cotton seedlings, and finally generates visualizations of seedling density and growth uniformity. Experimental results demonstrate that super-resolution reconstruction enhances the detection algorithm's capability for small targets, increasing the object detection precision by 3.3%. With the incorporation of super-resolution reconstruction, the seedling counting accuracy reaches 92.08%, representing a 46.15% improvement over the method without super-resolution, thereby effectively enhancing the algorithm's counting capability. Furthermore, this method achieves image detail equivalent to that obtained at 7.5 meters flight altitude while operating at 30 meters, reducing data acquisition time to 1/16 of the original requirement. In practical applications, the visualized results of seedling density and growth uniformity provide precise decision-making support for thinning, replanting, and differentiated field management. The proposed method is not only applicable to cotton but can also be extended to staple crops such as corn, wheat, and rice, with additional potential applications in forestry and ecological monitoring.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像の超解像化と物体検出により、ワタ苗の密度・生育均一性を定量化する手法が研究の中心であり、性能評価も行っているため。

abstractThe approach first employs the Real-ESRGAN model to enhance low-resolution image quality, then utilizes the YOLOv12 model to accurately localize cotton seedlings, and finally generates visualizations of seedling density and growth uniformity.

Development of web-based YCPM-UAV interface for early yield prediction of canola crop using UAV multi-sensor data →

• Development of yellow color index (YCI) for yield estimation at flowering stage • Development of web-based interface (YCPM-UAV) for canola yield prediction using UAVs • Global application capability for UAVs datasets to predict canola yield using YCPM-UAV • Multi-sensor and multi-spectrum data fusion to find most suited indices for canola • Multiple and stepwise regression analysis for selection of most influencing VIs Canola ( Brassica napus L.) is a globally significant oilseed crop, yet accurate yield estimation remains challenging due to the complex and unique nature of the crop, especially at the flowering stage. Traditional field-based yield estimation methods are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and destructive, necessitating innovative approaches for early and non-destructive yield prediction. The main objective of the study is to develop a novel web-based platform, YCPM-UAV (Yellow Color Prediction Model using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), for early and accurate canola yield estimation using high-resolution multi-sensor datasets acquired through low-altitude UAVs (LA-UAVs). To achieve this objective, a comprehensive two-year field study (2022-2024) was conducted across ten farmers’ fields in different geographical locations. Multisensor data (RGB, multispectral, and thermal) were acquired using UAVs at seven growth stages. Several vegetation indices (VIs), yellow color-based indices, and a thermal index were calculated. Linear, multiple, and stepwise regression analyses were performed to evaluate relationships of remote sensing indices with ground-truth yield data collected from 1200 sampling points. Multiple and stepwise regression analyses indicated that the newly developed Yellow Color Index (YCI) exhibited the strongest correlation with actual canola yield at the flowering stage across both years (Year 1: R 2 = 0.84, RMSE = 39.30 g m⁻²; Year 2: R² = 0.88, RMSE = 31.57 g m⁻²). Based on proposed predictive modeling, the YCPM-UAV web interface was developed, featuring automated data processing and spatial analysis with a testing accuracy of 88%. The YCPM-UAV platform provides farmers, researchers, and policymakers with a timely, user-friendly, and actionable decision-support tool for canola yield estimation at the field scale, contributing to improved crop management and food security. Future studies should incorporate additional canola varieties, irrigated and non-irrigated fields, and deep learning algorithms to further improve model robustness.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチセンサー画像からカノーラ収量を推定する指標・回帰モデル・Webプラットフォームを開発し、複数年データで検証しており、植物形質取得・推定が中心である。

titleDevelopment of web-based YCPM-UAV interface for early yield prediction of canola crop using UAV multi-sensor data

Early detection of plant pathogens in the asymptomatic phase: A scoping review of hyperspectral imaging combined with machine learning →

• First PRISMA-ScR mapping of 79 HSI-ML asymptomatic detection studies (42 species, 74 pathogens) • Controlled-to-field accuracy gap quantified: 91.4% vs. 86.3% (5.1 pp, p = 0.0163 ) • 56.8% of studies omit temporal sampling documentation (CV = 139%) • SWIR underutilization (11.8%) reflects economic, not scientific, barriers • DBVS proposed as standardized temporal metric for cross-study comparability Plant disease management requires non-invasive detection methods capable of identifying infections before visible symptom manifestation, thereby enabling timely intervention. Hyperspectral imaging combined with machine learning and deep learning (HSI-ML) achieves 90.2% classification accuracy in controlled environments for asymptomatic plant detection; however, systematic characterization of methodological practices across this rapidly expanding field remains absent. This PRISMA-ScR compliant scoping review mapped 79 peer-reviewed studies (2010–2025) encompassing 42 plant species and 74 pathogenic agents using a Population-Concept-Context framework. Visible-near-infrared (VNIR) systems dominated deployment (61.8%, n = 49 ), while short-wave infrared (SWIR) systems remained substantially underutilized (11.8%, n = 9 ) due primarily to economic rather than scientific constraints. Among 67 unique algorithms identified, machine learning methods accounted for 30.7% (SVM, random forests, and PLS-DA predominant), whereas deep learning represented 28.4% (2D-CNN, 3D-CNN, and hybrid architectures). Critical methodological gaps emerged: 56.8% of studies omitted temporal sampling documentation (detection latency range: 1–56 days post-inoculation; coefficient of variation = 139%). Platform-stratified analysis revealed controlled environments achieved 91.4% ± 6.6% classification accuracy ( n = 48 ) versus 86.3% ± 9.1% for field/UAV deployments ( n = 26 ), representing a significant 5.1 percentage-point performance decrease ( p = 0.0163 ). Detection accuracy exhibited a weak negative correlation with detection timing ( ρ = − 0.33 , p = 0.067 ), though this association did not reach conventional statistical significance. Methodological heterogeneity—rather than algorithmic limitations—constitutes the primary barrier to field operationalization. Adoption of Days Before Visible Symptoms (DBVS) as a standardized temporal metric could resolve an estimated 40–50% of cross-study variance currently attributed to inconsistent asymptomatic-phase definitions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物病害の無症状感染をHSIと機械学習で検出する手法群を対象に、79研究の方法、精度、時間指標、標準化課題を体系的に評価したレビューであり、フェノタイピング手法が中心です。

titleEarly detection of plant pathogens in the asymptomatic phase: A scoping review of hyperspectral imaging combined with machine learning

Methodological framework of automatic field-based plot extraction and maize emergence counting using UAV imagery and deep learning →

Accurate plant population estimation is critical for crop monitoring, yield prediction, and field management in precision agriculture. However, challenges such as complex backgrounds, overlapping plants, and the need for large-scale coverage make seedling counting from UAV imagery difficult. In this study, we propose a novel automated pipeline for maize seedling counting based on high-resolution UAV orthomosaic images. The pipeline begins with an automatic field-based plot extraction method that isolates individual planting regions without the need for manual intervention. A lightweight object detection model, YOLOv8n-CA, is then employed, incorporating Coordinate Attention to enhance feature localization while maintaining fast inference. To further accelerate the process, we introduce the ‘In-Range Sliding’ strategy, which limits inference to only planting regions, reducing computational overhead. Extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, achieving a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.587 and a coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) of 94.19 % at the plot level. Additionally, our system enables spatial feature extraction such as seedling spacing, supporting more refined agronomic analysis. This work provides an efficient and scalable solution for plant counting, offering valuable insights for large-scale, rapid post-processing agricultural monitoring.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と深層学習によるトウモロコシ幼苗の計数・圃場区画抽出パイプラインを開発し、計数精度を検証しているため、植物表現型取得法が中心である。

abstractwe propose a novel automated pipeline for maize seedling counting based on high-resolution UAV orthomosaic images.

Genomic selection and genome-wide association studies using UAV-derived plant height and aboveground biomass of maize →

Plant height (PH) and aboveground biomass (AGB) are critical agronomic traits that determine the yield potential of maize ( Zea mays L . ). However, the application of genomic selection (GS) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in maize breeding is often hindered by the limitations of phenotypic data collection, which is typically characterized by low throughput and inadequate accuracy. To address this challenge, we employed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with LiDAR and RGB cameras for high-throughput assessment of pH and AGB in a panel of 817 maize hybrids derived from 364 inbred lines over two growing seasons. Our results demonstrated that the integration of UAV-derived LiDAR point clouds with crop surface models (CSMs) enabled robust estimation of pH across multiple years ( R 2 > 0.90). Furthermore, a three-dimensional AGB estimation model was developed using UAV-derived PH and canopy coverage (CC), achieving high estimation accuracy ( R 2 > 0.83). Subsequently, the UAV-derived PH and AGB were utilized for GS and GWAS analyses. Replicated 10-fold cross-validation showed that the mean predictability was 0.504 for PH and 0.402 for AGB across eight commonly used GS models. Moreover, of the 66,066 potential crosses derived from the 364 inbred lines, the top 200 crosses selected for AGB showed up to twice the AGB of the bottom 200 crosses. Field validation demonstrated that the mean ear weight (EW) in the AGB top group was 39.0% higher than that in the bottom group. A total of 16 and 11 significant SNPs were identified by at least two GWAS methods for PH and AGB, respectively. Based on these SNPs, 81 candidate genes were functionally annotated, six of which were simultaneously associated with both traits. The candidate gene association analysis suggested that variations in the promoter region of ZmFLA9 may affect both traits. Overall, our study highlights the potential of UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping to accelerate maize genomic breeding by enabling rapid, precise, and large-scale trait assessment.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVのLiDAR・RGBデータから草丈と地上部バイオマスを推定する高スループット表現型測定モデルを開発・検証しており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心です。

abstractwe employed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with LiDAR and RGB cameras for high-throughput assessment of pH and AGB

Dynamic analysis of canopy coverage traits and their genetic basis in wheat under multiple environments →

The extent of canopy coverage (CC) prior to the booting stage is a useful indicator of environmental adaptation and may help anticipate key developmental events such as heading and flowering. We used UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping to monitor CC in a 262-line F 8 recombinant inbred line population grown under four irrigation-year environments across two seasons. To quantify CC dynamics, we fitted regression models using either days after sowing (DAS) or accumulated active temperature (AT). These models showed a high goodness-of-fit (overall coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) > 0.90 across environments; per-timepoint prediction R 2 = 0.60‒0.99 with root mean squared error (RMSE) = 0.00‒0.02) and were used to derive 31 CC-related traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first two components explained 80.00% of total variance in CC traits, with PCA1 accounting for 48.88%‒62.51% of the variance for DAS-based traits and 50.26%‒54.93% for AT-based traits. PCA1 reflected early canopy vigor and rapid coverage increase, while PCA2 reflected canopy maintenance after jointing. Genotypes in the top 15% for PCA1 differed significantly in flowering time, heading time, and plant height from those in the bottom 15%. Cross-environment comparisons showed moderate to high consistency of CC traits (average correlation ( r ) = 0.41‒0.65 for DAS-standardized CC of 20‒160 DAS and 0.48‒0.67 for AT-standardized CC of 100‒1000 AT). Using CC features derived from both DAS and AT, we trained a random forest model to predict flowering time, highlighting the contribution of both temporal and thermal information to predictive accuracy. This model achieved an independent test set R 2 of 0.81 with an RMSE of 1.25 days within the current dataset. All 31 CC-derived traits were also used for QTL mapping. Inclusive composite interval mapping identified 156 QTL detection events across 15 chromosomes (0.80%‒27.70% phenotypic variance explained), which were consolidated into 26 QTL regions, including loci such as QCC.caas.7A (671.47‒680.09 Mb on 7A) and QCC.caas.5D2 (426.67‒459.42 Mb on 5D). Several of these regions co-localized with previously reported genes associated with tillering, flowering time, winter hardiness and plant height. These findings indicate that CC, characterized by DAS- and AT-based traits, is genetically tractable and predictive of flowering within the current dataset, supporting its potential as a phenology-related trait for wheat improvement. Further validation across broader environments, years, and genetic backgrounds will be needed before broader application.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV高スループット表現型解析を用いて小麦のキャノピー被覆動態を定量化し、31形質を抽出・検証しているため、表現型取得と解析が研究の中心である。

abstractWe used UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping to monitor CC in a 262-line F 8 recombinant inbred line population grown under four irrigation-year environments across two seasons.

Field-scale crop growth stage mapping using multispectral images and deep hierarchical segmentation →

Accurate, field-scale mapping of crop growth stages is critical for supply-sensitive vegetable production, where timely harvests require detailed phenological information. Consecutive growth stages often involve rapid and subtle morphological changes and are influenced by challenging open-field conditions, which frequently result in misclassification when stages are treated as independent, discrete categories. To address this issue, CropMap is proposed as a growth-stage mapping framework that integrates Hierarchical Semantic Segmentation Networks (HSSN) with multispectral unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) imagery. CropMap incorporates the structured biological progression of crop development into the learning objective through tree-based label constraints, allowing the model to recognize phenological continuity and reduce confusion between adjacent stages. The framework is evaluated on the publicly available National Information Society Agency of Korea (NIA) field crop growth-stage dataset, a large-scale, multi-institutional UAV dataset containing 337,665 multispectral patches across six hierarchically related growth stages of Chinese cabbage and radish, curated by the NIA. CropMap achieves a test-set mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) of 0.5382, representing a 5% relative improvement over the best-performing transformer baseline (SegFormer; mIoU = 0.5124). Performance varies across classes: background separation is strong (IoU = 0.9128) and the rosette stage is well distinguished (IoU = 0.6354), while the leaf expansion stage remains the primary challenge (IoU = 0.3541), reflecting the inherent difficulty of mapping this spectrally and morphologically transitional class. These findings indicate that hierarchy-aware learning reduces inter-stage confusion for most phenological classes, but transitional growth stages remain a significant limitation for field-scale deployment. The framework provides a foundation for stage-resolved crop monitoring to support harvest timing and supply forecasting in high-value vegetable systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods作物の生育段階という植物状態を、マルチスペクトルUAV画像と階層型セマンティックセグメンテーションで推定する手法が研究の中心であり、公開データセット上で性能評価も行っている。

abstractCropMap is proposed as a growth-stage mapping framework that integrates Hierarchical Semantic Segmentation Networks (HSSN) with multispectral unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) imagery.

High-Throughput Panicle Counting of Wild Rice Accessions for Germplasm Evaluation: An AI-Driven UAV Phenotyping Framework →

Wild rice (Oryza spp.) harbors abundant genetic variation and represents an important germplasm resource for improving yield-related traits in cultivated rice. Panicle number is a key phenotypic trait for evaluating tillering capacity and yield potential in wild rice. However, existing approaches for acquiring panicle-number phenotypes remain limited by low efficiency, high dependence on manual operation, and cumbersome matching between plant targets and accession identifiers. In this study, we proposed an AI-driven UAV phenotyping framework for high-throughput panicle counting of wild rice accessions for germplasm evaluation. The framework integrates field plant localization, accession identifier binding, flight route planning, plant-by-plant video acquisition, spatiotemporal registration, video slicing, and panicle detection and tracking, enabling structured panicle-number outputs indexed by accession identifier. To address the small scale, loose structure, morphological variation, and wind-induced swaying of wild rice panicles in UAV imagery, a wild rice panicle detection model was constructed, and WRPD-Tracker was developed for cross-frame identity association and non-redundant counting. The wild rice panicle detection model achieved an AP@50 of 91.56%, representing a 6.16-percentage-point improvement over the DEIM baseline, with 3.70 M parameters and 6.55 G FLOPs, while WRPD-Tracker achieved a HOTA of 65.1% and a MOTA of 79.0%, representing a 5.8-percentage-point improvement in HOTA over the baseline tracker. At the final counting level, UAV-based counts were highly consistent with manual ground counts, with an R² of 0.992 and an MAE of 0.37 panicles. This framework enables batch acquisition of panicle-number phenotypes in wild rice and provides quantitative support for germplasm evaluation, panicle-number trait comparison, and subsequent yield-related phenotypic studies.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像とAIによるイネ穂数の取得・追跡・計数手法を開発し、手動計数と技術検証しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心です。

abstractwe proposed an AI-driven UAV phenotyping framework for high-throughput panicle counting of wild rice accessions for germplasm evaluation.

Cover crop biomass estimation using UAV-based multispectral feature fusion and machine learning →

Cover crops offer essential agroecosystem benefits, including reduced soil erosion, weed suppression, and improved soil health. Aboveground biomass (AGB) is a key indicator of these benefits; however, field-based quantification is often limited, which hinders effective cover crop management decisions. This study integrated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based multispectral imagery with machine learning (ML) models to estimate AGB in cover crops across two water-limited regions of Texas. Ground-truth and imagery data were collected over three years (2023–2025) for winter rye ( Secale cereale L.) in Lamesa and two years (2023–2024) for winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) in Chillicothe under varying irrigation regimes. Five ML algorithms, random forest, support vector regression, extreme gradient boosting, partial least squares regression (PLSR), and artificial neural network (ANN), were evaluated across four individual and eleven feature fusion datasets. The ANN model consistently achieved the highest predictive accuracy, particularly when vegetation indices were combined with structural features (R² = 0.87, RMSE = 9.08 g m - ²), while PLSR showed the weakest performance. Grouped validation (leave-one-year-out, leave-one-species-out, and leave-one-treatment-out) revealed reduced model performance compared to random (70/30) splitting of pooled data, yet the ANN maintained moderate predictive ability, indicating reasonable generalizability across years, species, and management conditions. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) revealed key predictors in the ANN model, including plant height, chlorophyll vegetation index, chlorophyll sensitive index, blue band reflectance, modified chlorophyll absorption in reflectance index, dissimilarity, correlation, and enhanced green vegetation index. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of UAV-ML integration for accurate AGB estimation and highlight the potential for scalable, data-driven cover crop monitoring in water-limited environments and beyond.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像と機械学習を統合し、植物の地上部バイオマスを推定する手法を開発・比較検証しており、表現型取得が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study integrated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based multispectral imagery with machine learning (ML) models to estimate AGB in cover crops across two water-limited regions of Texas.

Spatio-spectro-temporal characterisation and correction of dark current in a snapshot hyperspectral sensor →

Low-cost uncooled snapshot hyperspectral sensors mounted on UAV platforms offer new opportunities for field-scale remote sensing high-throughput phenotyping, but their reliability is constrained by sensor-intrinsic artefacts, particularly dark current. In this study, we present the first spatio-spectro-temporal characterisation and correction of dark current in the Senop HSC-2 dual-CMOS Fabry-Perot snapshot hyperspectral camera. Six controlled dark experiments (∼6,100 image cubes) revealed that dark current in the sensor is highly structured and reproducible, exhibiting CMOS-specific baseline offsets, monotonic temporal drift, pixel-wise dark signal non-uniformity (DSNU) with wavelength-dependent structure, and persistent hot pixels, and exposure-dependent baseline shifts that do not scale linearly with integration time. These results confirm that conventional single-frame dark subtraction is insufficient for quantitative analysis in uncooled snapshot hyperspectral sensors. Building on this characterisation, a modular correction framework was developed to stabilise the dark signal across spatial, spectral, and temporal domains. Across laboratory datasets, the framework reduced temporal drift by 70-85%, DSNU variance by approximately 37.5%, and suppressed >99.9% of persistent hot pixels, substantially improving radiometric stability. Corrected data exhibited simultaneous spatial uniformity, temporal stability, and spectral integrity, enabling downstream radiometric processing without introducing spectral distortion. Application of Senop HSC-2 to UAV-acquired wheat canopy imagery demonstrated effective transfer to field conditions, improving spectral continuity and robustness of vegetation indices after dark current correction. These results establish a transferable calibration approach for affordable snapshot hyperspectral sensors and demonstrate that rigorous dark current correction is essential for achieving quantitative radiometric performance in UAV-based phenotyping and precision agriculture applications without active thermal control, extending calibration principles traditionally applied in satellite hyperspectral systems to low-cost UAV snapshot sensors.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVハイパースペクトルセンサの暗電流を空間・スペクトル・時間的に補正する手法の開発と検証が中心であり、圃場のコムギ群落画像への適用も行っているため、植物フェノタイピング手法として採用する。

abstractIn this study, we present the first spatio-spectro-temporal characterisation and correction of dark current in the Senop HSC-2 dual-CMOS Fabry-Perot snapshot hyperspectral camera.

Estimation of cotton plant moisture content using UAV multimodal data and machine learning →

Accurate monitoring of cotton plant moisture content (PMC) is crucial for guiding irrigation practices. To address the limited capacity of single-source remote sensing data to characterize the water status of cotton plants, as well as the lack of quantitative reference values for suitable PMC levels at different growth stages, this study constructed a cotton PMC estimation model based on multimodal UAV remote sensing data. Furthermore, the suitable reference levels of PMC at different growth stages were investigated according to the response relationship between PMC and yield at each growth stage. Five soil moisture gradients were established, and at each growth stage, fresh and dry weights of cotton shoots were measured to calculate the PMC. A UAV platform equipped with multiple sensors was used to collect visible-light (RGB), multispectral (MS), and thermal infrared (TIR) images of the cotton canopy. Three feature selection methods were employed to identify moisture-sensitive parameters: Pearson correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction, and recursive feature elimination (RFE). Using the selected parameters, four machine learning algorithms, AdaBoost, random forest (RF), CatBoost, and k-nearest neighbors (KNN), were applied to construct and validate PMC estimation models. The suitable PMC levels at different growth stages were identified based on the response relationship between measured PMC and yield under different water gradients. The results showed that the RFE feature selection method identified eight water-sensitive parameters, and the CatBoost model integrating multimodal data performed best, with R² and RMSE reaching 0.807 and 0.033%, respectively, on the test set, providing a reliable method for high-resolution spatial mapping of field-scale PMC. On this basis, the response of yield to PMC was analyzed, revealing that when PMC was maintained at 83.8%, 85.9%, 79.3%, 78.0%, and 67.7% at the bud, initial flowering, peak flowering, peak boll-setting, and boll opening stages, respectively, the theoretical maximum yield of 6579–6667 kg/hm² could be achieved. This study realized high-precision remote sensing monitoring of PMC and further explored the appropriate moisture content thresholds for different growth stages, providing a quantitative reference for precision water regulation in cotton fields.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVのマルチモーダル画像と機械学習により、綿植物の水分含量を推定・検証する手法が研究の中心であり、植物状態の高解像度マッピングにも応用している。

abstractthis study constructed a cotton PMC estimation model based on multimodal UAV remote sensing data

An integrative high-throughput phenotyping framework for assessing canopy growth dynamics and light interception in potato →

Quantifying the canopy growth dynamics and light interception capacity under different management practices laid the physiological foundation for potato yield formation. However, the traditional manual measurement methods are labour-intensive, time-consuming, and incapable of capturing time-series dynamics. To address this, we proposed a novel high-throughput strategy that integrates UAV-based RGB imaging with a piecewise physiological model. Furthermore, how Nitrogen(N)-Potassium(K) interaction affects the temporal canopy growth dynamics, light interception, and tuber yield was determined. The results indicated that: (1) Among the 11 secondary indices extracted from the canopy growth dynamic curves, the interaction of N and K had the greatest effect on the maximum canopy duration and the total canopy growth curve integral. The direct path coefficients of N and K inputs on these two parameters were 0.847 and 0.805, and 0.234 and 0.148, respectively. (2) There was a strong linear relationship between the integral area under the curve (S∫) and the total plant dry weight, with R² at 0.90 in 2023-2024. A simplified net photosynthetically active radiation utilisation assessment framework that achieved high accuracy with minimal parameter was built. (3) Prolonging the maximum canopy continuous coverage time is the main way to improve potato yield. The overall effect of N input on yield was significantly higher than that of K fertiliser, with a total effect value of 1.428. Optimising the N-K interaction improves nutrient precision and light interception. The integration of UAV remote sensing and the crop physiological-ecological model enables the tracking of potato canopy dynamics, which is helpful for optimising management practices to improve potato yield.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV RGB画像と生理モデルを統合した高スループット手法を開発し、ジャガイモのキャノピー成長動態と光 interception を時系列で推定することが中心である。

abstractTo address this, we proposed a novel high-throughput strategy that integrates UAV-based RGB imaging with a piecewise physiological model.

Diurnal cross-temporal features from UAV multispectral and thermal imagery enhance foxtail millet yield prediction accuracy under different irrigation regimes →

Accurate prediction of foxtail millet yield is essential for effective field management and high-throughput breeding. Despite advances in UAV-based yield prediction for major crops, existing studies predominantly rely on single-temporal features (SFs) extracted at noon, overlooking significant diurnal dynamic signals that characterize crop responses to water stress. To address this research gap, we propose a novel approach utilizing diurnal cross-temporal features (CFs) derived from UAV-based multispectral and thermal imagery to enhance yield prediction accuracy under different irrigation regimes. During the flowering and grain-filling stages, UAV images were acquired across eight time slots (T1–T8) within a single day to capture the complete diurnal trajectory of canopy physiological responses. SFs were extracted at each time slot, and CFs were derived through summation, averaging, and range operations across multiple slots. A systematic four-step workflow was developed to determine the optimal UAV flight frequency and timing by balancing prediction accuracy with operational costs. Three ensemble learning algorithms (Random Forest (RF), Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost)) were evaluated using multiple feature sets incorporating SFs, CFs, and their integration. Results demonstrated that CFs more comprehensively captured dynamic crop responses to water stress than SFs. Canopy features from afternoon combinations generally exhibited stronger yield correlations than morning combinations. The [T5, T8] combination was identified as optimal, providing a practical balance between prediction accuracy and operational cost. Model comparison revealed that RF exhibited greater robustness across different water treatments, whereas AdaBoost achieved higher accuracy on the test set. Feature importance analysis confirmed the dominance of CFs, with ∑VSWI ranking first across both models and growth stages. This study provides a systematic framework for utilizing diurnal dynamic signals in crop yield prediction, offering new methodological insights for precision agriculture and high-throughput phenotyping of foxtail millet and other dryland crops.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル・熱画像から作物特徴量を抽出し、収量という植物形質を推定する手法と、撮影頻度・時刻を最適化するワークフローが研究の中心であるため。

abstractwe propose a novel approach utilizing diurnal cross-temporal features (CFs) derived from UAV-based multispectral and thermal imagery to enhance yield prediction accuracy

Linking plant water status dynamics to yield and fruit cracking in citrus orchards using UAV multi-sensor data and machine learning →

Citrus fruit cracking causes substantial yield and economic losses, yet its relationship with plant water status (PWS) and irrigation management remains insufficiently characterized. Unlike previous UAV-based irrigation studies that focused on water-stress detection or yield estimation, this study introduces a dynamic, physiology-based framework that links temporal PWS trajectories during key phenological stages to fruit-cracking risk at the individual-tree scale. UAV-based multispectral, thermal, and LiDAR data, combined with field physiological measurements and machine-learning models, were evaluated in an irrigation management experiment in an ‘Ori’ mandarin orchard (Israel) across three contrasting growing seasons (2023–2025). Several irrigation treatments with different irrigation timings and water inputs were applied during the growing season to evaluate their effects on temporal PWS dynamics and fruit cracking. Trunk growth (TG), stem water potential (SWP), stomatal conductance (SC), and plant area index (PAI) were measured throughout the two seasons and estimated using Random Forest models (R 2 > 0.783). These indicators were subsequently used to predict yield and fruit cracking with high accuracy (yield: R² = 0.896; cracking: R² = 0.845). Cracking was lowest in 2023 (∼3%), with ∼25% lower irrigation, suggesting reduced irrigation may reduce cracking risk. Higher cracking in 2024 (∼14%, vs ∼8% in 2025) coincided with intense heat events. Mid-season SWP and SC were strongly associated with yield formation and cracking patterns. These findings demonstrate that monitoring temporal PWS dynamics can support precision irrigation management by identifying high-risk zones and enabling irrigation strategies that stabilize PWS, reduce the incidence of cracking, and improve yield under variable climatic conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチセンサーと機械学習により、樹体水分状態などの植物形質を推定し、収量・果実裂果を予測する技術的枠組みが研究の中心である。

abstractthis study introduces a dynamic, physiology-based framework that links temporal PWS trajectories during key phenological stages to fruit-cracking risk at the individual-tree scale.

Gaussian mixture integration of CNN and transformer models for forest biomass estimation: A multi-sensor fusion approach with uncertainty quantification →

Accurate estimation of forest aboveground biomass (AGB) is critical for carbon accounting, ecosystem monitoring, and climate change mitigation. While remote sensing offers broad spatial coverage, standard deterministic models often struggle to capture the complex relationship between spectral information and structural forest attributes, and they frequently lack reliable quantification of uncertainty. This study presents a novel probabilistic framework that integrates convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and transformer architectures for AGB estimation using a multi-sensor fusion of Sentinel-1/2 imagery. The framework employs a customized, adaptive version of the Swin Transformer-reconfigured specifically for regression tasks and streamlined to a single-stage architecture-and implements a Gaussian Mixture Modeling (GMM) approach to ensemble model outputs. This framework enables the decomposition of predictive uncertainty into epistemic (model-related) and aleatoric (data-inherent) components. Evaluated across heterogeneous forest regions in Montana and Idaho, the CNN-transformer integration achieved superior performance, with R 2 =0.83, RMSE=19.16 Mg/ha, and MAE=13.37 Mg/ha, outperforming standalone CNNs (R 2 =0.81) and vision transformers (R 2 =0.80). Transfer learning and fine-tuning experiments demonstrated high model robustness, improving prediction accuracy in independent test regions by 39% in RMSE. Spatially explicit analysis revealed that while CNNs provide stable local feature extraction, the Swin Transformer’s self-attention mechanism significantly mitigates errors on topographically complex slopes by leveraging non-local spectral cues to compensate for shadowing and geometric distortions. The results highlight that an ensemble approach leveraging the complementary strengths of CNNs and customized transformers provides the transparency and precision required for operational carbon monitoring and high-resolution, trustworthy biomass mapping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods森林の地上部バイオマスという植物群落形質を、マルチセンサー画像とCNN・Transformer・GMMで推定する手法を開発し、比較評価と独立地域での検証を行っており、形質推定法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study presents a novel probabilistic framework that integrates convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and transformer architectures for AGB estimation using a multi-sensor fusion of Sentinel-1/2 imagery.

Machine Learning-Based Crop Growth Diagnosis System Using Spatiotemporal Relative Analysis of Vegetation Indices via a Quartile-Based Method →

Japanese agriculture faces pressing challenges, including a declining and aging farming population and the need to adapt to climate change. To address these issues, Smart Agriculture is being introduced to improve production efficiency. Among these, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have gained attention for their ability to rapidly monitor entire fields. We proposed a machine learning-based crop growth diagnosis system that generates spatiotemporal data for multiple vegetation indices (VIs) using the quartile method and diagnoses crop growth based on patterns of change in these values. The experimental site consisted of five paddy fields within an 80 m × 50 m plot in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, equipped with weather and water sensors. Ground-truth data (overall length, culm length, panicle number, and stem number) were collected approximately one week before harvest. UAV monitoring was conducted four times using a multispectral camera, and growth analysis was performed with six VIs. Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between crop growth and the daily average water level during the drainage period, and a negative relationship with the daily temperature range in mid-June. A combined cluster-label representation, constructed from clustering results of all VIs for each mesh, enabled integrated analysis and visualization of multi-index patterns. Grid size optimization showed no significant differences in correlation trends between 1 m × 1 m and 5 m × 5 m resolutions. For non-crop area removal, a comparison of three image segmentation methods demonstrated that the Otsu Method achieved the highest performance. Finally, to facilitate practical use in the field, we prototyped a report interface for the diagnosis system. Future work will focus on developing a comprehensive field diagnosis system to clarify field environments, with the aim of addressing fragmentation and enclaves in Japanese farms.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像と植生指数、画像分割、クラスタリングを統合した作物生育診断システムの開発・評価が中心であり、作物形質との相関検証や実用インターフェースも扱っている。

abstractWe proposed a machine learning-based crop growth diagnosis system that generates spatiotemporal data for multiple vegetation indices (VIs) using the quartile method and diagnoses crop growth based on patterns of change in these values.

Assimilation of UAS remote sensing and deep learning-derived crop parameters into DSSAT model for grain yield prediction →

In-season fine-scale (i.e., within-field experiment plot scale) crop grain yield (GY) prediction is critical for optimizing inputs, minimizing environmental impacts, and supporting sustainable food production. Traditional approaches, such as field surveys, are often costly and inefficient over large areas. As an alternative, remote sensing combined with crop simulation models (CSMs) has been increasingly applied for in-season GY prediction. This study investigates the potential of integrating Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)-based remote sensing data, deep learning, and CSMs to predict maize and soybean GY using a data assimilation approach. UAS multispectral imagery was collected, along with field-measured maize above-ground biomass (AGB) and soybean leaf area index (LAI) during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons at experimental fields in Brookings, South Dakota. Maize AGB was measured at two growth stages, while soybean LAI was collected across four stages. One-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-CNNs) were used to estimate maize AGB and soybean LAI from canopy spectral, textural, and structural features derived from UAS imagery. These UAS and deep learning–derived crop traits were assimilated into DSSAT-Maize and DSSAT-Soybean models to optimize parameters, and the optimized models were subsequently used to predict GY. For maize, the DSSAT-Maize model achieved an R² of 0.62, an RMSE of 717.8 kg ha⁻¹, and an rRMSE of 6.7% for GY prediction. For soybean, the DSSAT-Soybean model achieved an R² of 0.81, an RMSE of 207.3 kg ha⁻¹, and an rRMSE of 4.9%. Overall, these results highlight the potential of combining high-resolution UAS data and deep learning–derived crop traits within a CSM framework through data assimilation, enabling fine-scale, in-season yield predictions and supporting precise agricultural management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAS画像と深層学習により、作物のAGBおよびLAIという植物形質を推定する取得・解析手法が研究の中心であり、作物モデルへの同化と性能評価も行っている。

abstractOne-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-CNNs) were used to estimate maize AGB and soybean LAI from canopy spectral, textural, and structural features derived from UAS imagery.

Aerial-ground integrated high-throughput phenotyping: A novel pipeline for efficient elite individual selection and accelerated genetic gain in Larix olgensis →

Abstract has not been obtained from indexed metadata or an accessible article page.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods航空・地上統合型のハイスループット表現型解析パイプラインが題名の中心で、育種個体選抜への再利用可能な表現型取得手法を扱うと判断できる。

titleAerial-ground integrated high-throughput phenotyping: A novel pipeline for efficient elite individual selection and accelerated genetic gain in Larix olgensis

Crop residue biomass estimation using UAV multispectral imagery: A comparison of feature selection methods and machine learning models →

Crop residues support soil health by reducing erosion, improving water retention, and contributing to carbon sequestration. Accurate estimation of crop residue biomass is essential for understanding residue distribution patterns and improving sustainable land management practices. Remote sensing, especially high-resolution UAV-based imaging, is a powerful tool for monitoring residue over agricultural fields, and many studies use remote sensing datasets for mapping residue cover (a 2D metric). However, few studies have evaluated residue biomass using remote sensing, despite biomass being more ecologically informative. This study uses high-resolution UAV multispectral imagery to predict crop residue biomass using feature selection and machine learning. Candidate predictors included raw bands, spectral indices, texture metrics, and digital-surface-model-derived topographic variables. Three feature selection methods—recursive feature elimination with cross-validation, Pearson correlation screening, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, were applied on the training set to identify informative predictors. Four machine learning models (Random Forest Regression, Support Vector Regression, CatBoost, and k-Nearest Neighbors [kNN]) were evaluated individually and in combination using simple averaging, weighted averaging, and stacked ensemble strategies. Results show that Pearson-selected features paired with kNN achieved the best performance (R 2 = 0.61, RMSE = 188.71 g m -2 ). Ensemble approaches did not outperform the best individual model, suggesting limited benefit from meta-learning under small-sample conditions. Across selection methods, red- and blue-band-related predictors were consistently retained, while textural and topographic variables were selected more selectively, indicating context-dependent contributions. Overall, simpler models with targeted feature selection can outperform more complex ensembles for UAV-based crop residue biomass estimation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像から作物残渣バイオマスを推定し、特徴選択法と複数の機械学習モデルを比較・評価することが中心で、植物由来バイオマスという明示的な状態量を技術的に推定している。

abstractThis study uses high-resolution UAV multispectral imagery to predict crop residue biomass using feature selection and machine learning.

UAV-based phenotyping estimation for precision variable-rate application of growth regulator in cotton production →

Abstract has not been obtained from indexed metadata or an accessible article page.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVによる綿花の表現型推定を明示的に扱い、植物形質の取得・推定法が中心と判断できる。

titleUAV-based phenotyping estimation for precision variable-rate application of growth regulator in cotton production

From Seedling to Maturity: AI‐Based Mustard Crop Growth Tracking Using UAV Time‐Series Images →

ABSTRACT Accurate monitoring of plant phenology is essential for agricultural decision‐making, as deciding the right time of fertilizer application, the maturity of the plant, and climate variation. Traditional manual monitoring often fails to capture the temporal variations across large fields. UAV‐based imaging combined with deep learning can provide a solution for automated phenological assessment. In this study, we propose an AI‐driven framework on UAV‐captured Indian mustard plants to predict the phenological progress. We applied deep learning methods, EfficientNet‐B0, and a proposed hybrid model of a Vision Transformer + LSTM to predict phenological growth from UVV‐captured images of the Indian mustard plant. Both models were trained under a supervised regression setup with extensive augmentation and optimization strategies. The results of the study show that the ViT + LSTM outperforms the EfficientNet‐B0 model in terms of prediction accuracy for mustard plant phenology. The R 2 = 0.9974, minimal errors MSE = 0.0111, and RMSE = 0.149 indicate that the ViT + LSTM provides more accurate phenological predictions on temporal and spatial dependencies. Correlation Analysis confirmed a strong linear and monotonic relationship with the ground truth, with r = 0.9989 and ρ = 0.9946. Gram‐CAM visualization showed that the ViT + LSTM captures the meaning area of the plant. These results were further validated using statistical measures such as Pearson's r and Spearman's ρ , which confirmed the reliability and consistency of the model's predictions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から植物の生育フェノロジーを推定する深層学習手法を開発し、複数モデルの精度比較と統計的検証を行っており、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractUAV‐based imaging combined with deep learning can provide a solution for automated phenological assessment.

An Artificial Intelligence-Driven UAV and Ground Sensor Fusion Framework for Crop Growth Assessment in Smart Agriculture →

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, UAV remote sensing, and agricultural Internet of Things technologies, crop growth monitoring is evolving from manual inspection and single-source analysis toward intelligent decision-making based on multisource perception. However, existing methods still suffer from limited robustness under environmental variations, insufficient integration between UAV imagery and sparse ground sensor observations, and weak capability for transforming predictions into practical agricultural management recommendations. This study proposes a UAV–ground sensor collaborative lightweight framework for crop growth assessment and agricultural decision support. The proposed framework integrates UAV RGB and multispectral imagery with ground sensor observations through a region-level aerial–ground alignment mechanism and a sensor-guided attention fusion module, enabling environmental conditions to enhance visual feature interpretation. Furthermore, a fact-constrained decision module is developed to generate management recommendations based on crop status, environmental risks, and field information. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves superior performance in crop growth classification and yield-trend prediction, reaching Accuracy, Precision, Recall, and F1-score values of 92.47%, 91.86%, 91.39%, and 91.62%, respectively, with an RMSE of 0.381 and an R2 of 0.902. The lightweight framework requires only 6.18M parameters and 0.91G FLOPs, achieving 39.56 ms inference latency and 25.28 FPS on edge devices. The proposed framework also improves decision reliability, achieving an expert agreement rate of 89.34% and a risk identification accuracy of 90.18%. Economic analysis indicates that the proposed framework reduces labor cost, water consumption, and fertilizer input by 49.7%, 26.7%, and 23.0%, respectively, while increasing net benefit by 46.1% compared with conventional field management practices. These results demonstrate that the proposed method provides an accurate, interpretable, and deployable AI-driven solution for intelligent crop management in smallholder and medium-sized farming systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と地上センサーを融合し、作物生育状態を評価する取得・推定フレームワーク自体を開発しており、植物状態の推定方法が中心的です。

abstractThis study proposes a UAV–ground sensor collaborative lightweight framework for crop growth assessment and agricultural decision support.

LiDAR vs. SfM: Which is better for analysing habitat of the harvest mouse ( Micromys minutus )? →

Abstract. The harvest mouse, Micromys minutus (Pallas, 1771) is the smallest rodent in Japan and now listed in the Red Data Books of Tokyo, 2 prefectural capitals, and 28 prefectures in Japan due to drastic decline of grasslands. For the harvest mouse, the height and density of the tall grass species where nesting occurs are considered particularly important. However, it has been difficult to continuously and extensively acquire information on the three-dimensional structure of herbaceous vegetation. With recent development of UAV technology, UAV data are beginning to be applied to the analysis of herbaceous vegetation. For acquiring three-dimensional information via UAV, methods include using LiDAR sensors or generating 3D point cloud data from aerial photographs using SfM. This study evaluates whether UAV LiDAR or UAV SfM is more suitable for estimating the height of tall grass species such as Japanese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis), which serve as important nesting sites for the harvest mouse. As a result of analysis, the proposed method was found to be effective to estimate grass height regardless of whether UAV LiDAR or UAV SfM is used. However, when comparing the accuracy of canopy height estimation using UAV LiDAR data alone, UAV SfM data alone, and combined UAV LiDAR and SfM data, combined UAV LiDAR and SfM data found to perform best. Maximum canopy height was found to be best estimated using the combination of median of hand-measured five maximum canopy height values and maximum height calculated using the combined UAV LiDAR and SfM data.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV LiDARとSfMを用いて植物群落の草丈・キャノピー高を推定し、センサー間の精度を比較評価することが研究の中心であるため、植物フェノタイピング手法として適格。

abstractThis study evaluates whether UAV LiDAR or UAV SfM is more suitable for estimating the height of tall grass species such as Japanese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis)

High-resolution LiDAR and thermal UAV data for 3D analysis of urban vegetation structure and its cooling effect in San Nicolás, Mexico →

Abstract. Urban vegetation is essential for mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect, yet its cooling performance depends on its three-dimensional structure. This study combines high-resolution Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - based LiDAR (Zenmuse L2) and thermal imaging (Zenmuse H20) to analyze vegetation structure and surface temperature across 4 urban parks in San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico. LiDAR data were processed to generate Digital Terrain Model, Digital Surface Model and Canopy Height Model models, enabling the segmentation of individual trees and extraction of structural metrics such as canopy height, crown area and point density. Thermal orthomosaics were co-registered with LiDAR models to quantify temperature contrasts between vegetated and impervious areas. Results reveal consistent cooling effects in all parks, with vegetated zones showing 8–15 °C lower surface temperatures depending on canopy density and maturity. Larger parks with continuous canopies displayed the strongest thermal regulation. This integrated LiDAR–thermal approach provides a precise and scalable framework for assessing microclimatic benefits of urban vegetation, supporting climate-resilient planning in rapidly urbanizing regions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV LiDAR・熱画像を用いて個体樹木の樹冠高や樹冠面積などの植物構造形質を抽出する手法と統合ワークフローが中心であり、単なる環境測定ではない。

abstractLiDAR data were processed to generate Digital Terrain Model, Digital Surface Model and Canopy Height Model models, enabling the segmentation of individual trees and extraction of structural metrics such as canopy height, crown area and point density.

A comparative analysis of 3D point clouds and crop surface models for rice plant height estimation using UAV-SfM →

Accurate estimation of crop plant height using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is essential for field-scale crop monitoring and phenotyping. Most previous studies using UAV-based structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry have relied on raster-based crop surface models (CSMs) and have evaluated their performance using accuracy metrics such as the coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) and root mean square error (RMSE). However, such evaluations provide limited insight into how estimation behavior varies across space and time, particularly during dynamic crop growth stages. To address this gap, this study conducted a time-series comparison of rice plant height estimates derived from UAV-SfM-generated dense point clouds (DPCs) and raster-based CSMs in farmer-managed paddy fields in Cambodia, which are characterized by heterogeneous micro-environmental conditions. Rice plant height was measured throughout the growing season and UAV-derived estimates were evaluated using regression analysis, analysis of covariance, and canopy cover dynamics. In the pooled analysis, both approaches achieved high overall accuracy, with R 2 = 0.92 and RMSE = 7.2 cm for the CSM-based approach and R 2 = 0.90 and RMSE = 8.8 cm for the DPC-based approach. However, time-series analyses revealed that CSM-derived plant height estimates exhibited strong location-dependent variability and sensitivity to early-stage canopy development, whereas DPC-based estimates showed more consistent performance across locations and growth stages. Regression coefficients derived from CSM-based estimates varied significantly among locations, whereas those from DPC-based estimates did not, suggesting that point-based representations may provide more spatially consistent estimation behavior under heterogeneous field conditions. By explicitly considering temporal dynamics, canopy development, and data representation, this study highlights the limitations of current raster-based UAV-SfM workflows for structurally complex crop canopies and suggests that DPC-based approaches may offer a useful complementary representation for crop monitoring and phenotyping, particularly when spatial consistency across heterogeneous field conditions is important.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV-SfMによるイネの草丈推定手法を、3D点群と作物表面モデルで時系列比較・検証しており、表現形式と技術性能の評価が研究の中心です。

titleA comparative analysis of 3D point clouds and crop surface models for rice plant height estimation using UAV-SfM

A dual-branch perception and hybrid attention integrated framework for temporal remote estimation of wheat leaf biomass. →

Introduction Wheat leaf biomass is a key indicator of crop growth, nitrogen status, and yield potential, and its accurate estimation is essential for precision agriculture. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing provides multi-stage phenological observations for non-destructive biomass monitoring. However, existing approaches often fail to capture the superimposed temporal patterns inherent to crop phenology, including short-term physiological fluctuations driven by management events and long-term seasonal growth trends, as well as the cumulative causal effects of early-stage conditions on final biomass accumulation. Methods This study proposed a dual-branch perception and hybrid attention integrated framework (DBAFN) for temporal estimation of wheat leaf biomass from UAV multi-temporal observations across key growth stages. Results and discussion Experimental results demonstrated that the DBAFN achieved the best performance, with the coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.87, root mean square error (RMSE) of 38.41 g/m², mean absolute error (MAE) of 27.77 g/m², and relative RMSE (RRMSE) of 17.29%. Overall, the proposed framework provided an effective solution for temporal biomass estimation and demonstrated strong generalization capability, as further validated by independent experiments across different ecological regions and wheat genotypes (R² = 0.816-0.820). Compared with conventional machine learning models, the DBAFN showed consistently higher accuracy and lower prediction error. Multi-source feature analysis indicated that the combination of reflectance, vegetation indices, and canopy height provides the most accurate estimation. Ablation experiments further confirmed the effectiveness of each module in improving model performance. The SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis revealed that the canopy height and key spectral features contribute most to biomass prediction, highlighting the importance of integrating structural and physiological information. This study demonstrates that integrating multi-scale temporal dynamics, hybrid attention mechanisms, and transformer-based dependency modeling significantly improves the reliability of UAV-based biomass estimation. It offers a practical, data-driven pathway for intelligent crop monitoring and precision nitrogen management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチ時期リモートセンシングから小麦葉バイオマスという植物形質を推定する手法を提案し、独立地域・遺伝子型で検証しているため、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractThis study proposed a dual-branch perception and hybrid attention integrated framework (DBAFN) for temporal estimation of wheat leaf biomass from UAV multi-temporal observations across key growth stages.

Maize Yield Prediction via Data Fusion of UAV Multi/Hyperspectral Imagery and In-Field Measurements →

Timely forecasting of maize productivity is essential to support precision agriculture and optimize management practices. In this study, we analyzed the potential of integrating ground-based measurements and UAV-derived spectral data for predicting maize grain yield (GY) under different fertilization conditions. Field data were collected at two key phenological stages: early vegetative stage (V7) and pre-harvest (R4). Ground-based measurements included SPAD, above-ground biomass (AGB), and leaf area index (LAI), while multispectral and hyperspectral imagery was acquired by drone. A series of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) models was developed to evaluate the predictive performance of individual variables and their combinations. Model robustness was assessed using two validation strategies: Leave-One-Treatment-Out (LOTO) to assess model performance across the treatments included in the experimental design and random sampling to assess performance within the dataset. The results showed that yield prediction was less accurate during the early growth stages, where data fusion significantly improved the model’s accuracy (R2 = 0.82; MAE = 6.36 q ha−1; MAPE≈7 %). The predictive performance of VIs alone increased substantially in the pre-harvest stage, with the combination of red-edge indices and LAI proving to be the best model for late yield prediction (R2 = 0.86; MAE = 6.56 q ha−1; MAPE≈7%). Comparison of multispectral and hyperspectral data revealed comparable predictive performance, suggesting that multispectral sensors may already capture the key spectral information needed for yield forecasting. Furthermore, random validation consistently produced more optimistic results than the LOTO method, highlighting the importance of using validation strategies that explicitly account for the experimental design when evaluating model performance across the treatments included in the study. Overall, the present study demonstrates that yield prediction is highly dependent on the phenological stage and validation approach, and that integrating complementary data sources can improve model performance, particularly during the early growth stages. These findings should be interpreted as a proof-of-concept based on a single-site, single-season experiment with a limited sample size (n = 12), and therefore require further validation across multiple environments and growing seasons.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチ／ハイパースペクトル画像と地上測定を統合し、トウモロコシ収量を予測する方法を開発・比較・検証しており、植物形質の取得・推定が研究の中心である。

abstractA series of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) models was developed to evaluate the predictive performance of individual variables and their combinations.

Spatio-Temporal Monitoring of the Invasive Plant Alternanthera philoxeroides in a Narrow River Using Sentinel-2 Time-Series Data →

Alternanthera philoxeroides, an invasive alien species, spreads rapidly in river systems via vegetative propagation from stem fragments, requiring river-system-scale monitoring to understand its expansion dynamics and habitat preferences. This study used multi-temporal Sentinel-2 data to analyze spatio-temporal variations in fractional vegetation cover (FVC) within a 3.5 km river reach. FVC estimates derived from vegetation indices were validated against high-resolution aerial images, with an EVI-based model achieving the highest accuracy (RMSE = 9.2%), enabling reliable monitoring even in narrow (~24 m) channels. Time-series analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed downstream expansion beginning in 2022. Annual maximum FVC (Cmax) was used to assess relationships with removal records and bank structures, showing that removal effects were temporary and more pronounced in the first year, while steel sheet-pile banks limited vegetation growth compared to concrete revetments. These results demonstrate that Sentinel-2 data can provide an effective and accessible tool for evaluating invasive plant dynamics and management effectiveness in low-flow river systems where A. philoxeroides dominates the floating vegetation community.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsSentinel-2時系列から侵入植物の植生被覆率を推定し、航空画像で精度検証しており、植物状態の取得・評価手法が中心です。

abstractFVC estimates derived from vegetation indices were validated against high-resolution aerial images, with an EVI-based model achieving the highest accuracy (RMSE = 9.2%)

The informativeness of vegetation indices as predictors of the yield of two spring wheat varieties in an experiment with a plant protection system against the background of fertilizers →

The use of a combined assessment of the informational significance of vegetation indices for predicting the yield of spring wheat, taking into account varietal specificity and agrotechnical factors, has been studied. The test site was the field experience in the forest-steppe zone of the Novosibirsk Priobye. In the experiment, spring wheat of the Suenga and Novosibirsk 41 varieties was cultivated using intensive agricultural technology. For the analysis, data obtained using the DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral Phantom unmanned aerial vehicle during the crop growing period in 2023–2025 were used. Vegetation index values were calculated using five spectral channels: blue (B, 450 ± 16 nm), green (G, 560 ± 16), red (R, 650 ± 16), red edge (RE, 730 ± 16) and near-infrared (NIR, 840 ± 26 nm). For the analysis of informational importance, the following indices were used as predictors of crop yield: NDVI, NDWI, GNDVI, LAI, CVI, GCI, and ChlRE. For assessing the informativeness of the indices, independent methods were used: the F-statistic of one-way regression (ANOVA F-test), evaluation of mutual information (Mutual Information, MI), and feature importance of the random forest algorithm (Random Forest, RF). Each of the scores was normalized in the range [0; 1] using the min-max normalization method, after which a combined score was calculated as a weighted sum. For the Suenga variety, the stable predictors regardless of the experimental variants were CVI (tillering) and ChlRE (stem elongation and heading), while for Novosibirsk 41, the set of informative predictors significant ly depended on the combination of plant protection and fertilizer systems. It was found that chlorophyll content indices (GCI, ChlRE) increased the predictive relationship with yield under fertilization, while the water status index (NDWI) lost informativeness when fertilizers were applied.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像から植生指数を抽出し、複数の統計・機械学習手法を統合して小麦収量予測における指標の有用性を評価しており、植物形質推定ワークフローが中心です。

abstractThe use of a combined assessment of the informational significance of vegetation indices for predicting the yield of spring wheat

DINO-Pheno-Cluster: Integrating few-shot foundation models and UAV time-series for spatiotemporal growth and functional characterization of alfalfa →

Precise characterization of alfalfa growth dynamics is essential for breeding accessions with superior regrowth capacity, persistence, and yield stability. However, traditional plot level and coarse scale observations suffer from low signal to noise ratios particularly before canopy closure when phenotypic data are strongly affected by weeds and soil background. Moreover, existing studies rarely capture the dynamic mechanisms of crop development across the entire growth cycle. To address this, the DINO-Pheno-Cluster framework is introduced as a foundation model driven and mechanism decomposed phenotyping approach. This decoupled framework first utilizes DINO-XMem, a few-shot individual plant segmentation network based on DINOv3 and a dual memory mechanism. It subsequently applies parameterized dynamic modeling guided by growth process knowledge. Validation utilized high frequency Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery from 12 time points across three growing seasons covering 127 alfalfa accessions. DINO-XMem achieved an 89.54% mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) under a 10-shot setting and maintained 86.77% under extreme 1-shot conditions. It successfully resolved dense canopy oversegmentation outperforming fully supervised baselines by 4.08% to 11.97% in mIoU. Crucially, the extracted high purity time series trajectories were parameterized into specific biological indicators including maximum growth rate, comprehensive regeneration index, and seasonal stability index. Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering based on these mechanistic traits identified four distinct functional ideotypes comprising High yield/High regrowth, Upright/Sparse, High stability/Persistent, and Short/Dense, all validated by ground measured biomass. This workflow establishes a precision screening tool for multi harvest crops advancing crop phenomics toward process level analysis.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の時系列UAV画像から個体を分割し、成長・再生・安定性などの形質を抽出するフェノタイピング手法の開発と検証が中心である。

abstractthe DINO-Pheno-Cluster framework is introduced as a foundation model driven and mechanism decomposed phenotyping approach

Sentinel-2 and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Imagery for Irrigation Scheduling in Fodder Maize: A Comparative Remote Sensing Approach. →

Accurate estimation of crop water requirements is essential to improve irrigation efficiency for forage maize production. This study compared satellite- and UAV-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) models for estimating crop coefficients (K c ) and evaluated their operational performance for irrigation scheduling. K c -NDVI models were developed during the 2023 growing season and subsequently validated under field conditions during the 2024 season in two forage maize hybrids (N83N5 and Matador) under three irrigation strategies: conventional producer irrigation (ID1), satellite-based irrigation scheduling (ID2), and UAV-based irrigation scheduling (ID3). Both NDVI sources exhibited strong relationships with K c , with higher calibration accuracy for the UAV model (R 2 = 0.9414) than for the satellite model (R 2 = 0.8278). The UAV-based model applied 23-30% less irrigation water, maintaining high water productivity but also reducing crop growth, forage yield, and nutritional quality. In contrast, satellite-based irrigation scheduling promoted greater crop growth and produced the highest forage yield, reaching 59.8 t ha -1 in hybrid N83N5 while maintaining efficient water use. This treatment also improved forage quality by increasing dry matter and starch concentrations while reducing fiber fractions. The findings highlight the complementary potential of satellite and UAV imagery in precision irrigation and underscore the trade-offs between spatial detail, temporal resolution, and operational scalability. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that a stronger K c -NDVI relationship does not necessarily translate into improved irrigation scheduling performance. Under the conditions evaluated, the satellite-based model provided the best balance between water use, forage yield, and nutritional quality.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods衛星・UAV画像からNDVIを用いて作物係数を推定する手法を開発し、別年・圃場条件で検証しており、植物群落状態の取得・推定が研究の中心である。

abstractK c -NDVI models were developed during the 2023 growing season and subsequently validated under field conditions during the 2024 season

3D Reconstruction of deciduous Trees using low-cost UAV - and Crane-based Photogrammetry for Monitoring Shoot Elongation across entire Canopies →

Abstract. Tree growth determines how much CO2 is sequestered from the atmosphere and temporarily stored in woody biomass. At the same time tree growth is affected by increasing temperatures, more frequent drought periods, late frosts and other extreme events associated with climate change. While continuous measurements of radial (secondary) tree growth using dendrometers are well established, monitoring of shoot elongation (primary growth) has largely been neglected because suitable measurement techniques are lacking. As a result, the effects of climate change on primary tree growth remain insufficiently understood. This work aims at reconstructing native deciduous trees in 3D as a basis for measuring and monitoring shoot elongation over entire tree canopies. Here we explored the use of low-cost UAV photogrammetry and of a multi-camera CraneCam system under real-world conditions. Data were collected in two study areas over an entire growing season. We present sensor evaluations, photogrammetric data acquisition and processing strategies. A special focus is placed on the analysis of the resulting photogrammetric 3D point clouds in terms of accuracy, resolution and completeness. Results demonstrate 3D point accuracies of 5-6 mm for entire trees using consumer-grade UAVs weighing less than 250 g and a 3D reconstruction completeness between 92% and 98% depending on the UAV type. The paper introduces a novel 3Dßprinted ground-truth branch to evaluate the capability to reconstructing fine-detail structures such as thin tree shoots. Finally, we discuss operational challenges and initial experiments towards a skeletonization of entire trees based on photogrammetric point clouds.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods樹冠全体のシュート伸長という植物形質を取得するための3D再構成手法を開発・評価しており、精度・解像度・完全性の検証も中心的に扱っている。

abstractThis work aims at reconstructing native deciduous trees in 3D as a basis for measuring and monitoring shoot elongation over entire tree canopies.

Todo Fir Crown Instance Segmentation in Dense Plantation Forest Using Polar-FFT and Treetop Queries →

Abstract. Monitoring individual trees from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-derived orthomosaics and digital surface models (DSMs) is important for forest management, but instance segmentation remains difficult in dense planted forests in Japan, where Structure from Motion (SfM)-derived DSMs often exhibit blurred crown boundaries, noise, and substantial variation in quality. Existing approaches can benefit from treetop information, but they are sensitive to threshold selection and may introduce false positives when incorrect treetop candidates are provided. To address this problem, we propose a method based on the polar coordinate transform and the fast Fourier transform (PFFT) that represents the local DSM shape around treetop candidates as compact descriptors and integrates them into Mask2Former. The descriptors are used both to suppress low-reliability candidates and to provide spatially meaningful treetop queries to the decoder, thereby improving the separation of adjacent crowns. We evaluated the method on Abies sachalinensis (Todo fir) plantation data acquired at two sites in Hokkaido, Japan, using Mask R-CNN and Mask2Former as baselines. Compared with standard Mask2Former, the proposed method improved mAP50 from 90.14% to 90.87%, mAP75 from 52.18% to 55.47%, and the F1 score at a confidence threshold of 0.5 from 89.86% to 92.08%. It also reduced the number of false positives by 41% without increasing false negatives. Qualitative results showed fewer over-merged crowns and better crown-boundary delineation. These results indicate that treetop-centered local shape cues are effective for instance segmentation in densely planted forests, although further validation across additional species and regions is needed.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV由来データから個体樹冠を分離・ delineate する画像解析手法を開発し、複数ベースラインと定量比較しているため、植物形態計測法が中心である。

abstractwe propose a method based on the polar coordinate transform and the fast Fourier transform (PFFT) that represents the local DSM shape around treetop candidates as compact descriptors and integrates them into Mask2Former.

LeafTip-RN: Generative AI-powered temporal interpolation for continuous phenotypic analysis of seedling establishment traits in wheat. →

Seedling establishment represents a critical phase in early crop growth and development, directly influencing biomass accumulation and yield potential. To characterise early growth dynamics under field conditions, both growth rate and uniformity of emergence need to be assessed continuously; however, manual quantification of these dynamic traits in large-scale trials remains impractical. Here, we present LeafTip-RN, an open-source and deep learning (DL)-powered pipeline for dynamically measuring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) early establishment in the field. To enable flexible and scalable data collection, ultralow-altitude drone phenotyping was employed, followed by the development of an optimised DL model to automate leaf-tip-related feature extraction from complex backgrounds. Notably, to address data sparsity arising from eight phenotyping timepoints, we integrated an image-to-video generative AI (GenAI) module into the pipeline to interpolate keyframes between early and late seedling stages (i.e. 18-40 days after sowing), resulting in a training library comprising 353,019 labelled leaf tips. Using the pipeline, we successfully quantified multiple agronomically important establishment-related traits (e.g. plot-level leaf tips and seedling spatial uniformity), followed by deriving their growth curves for 51 wheat varieties across two growing seasons (2024-2026). After validating these LeafTip-RN-derived traits, we further computed varietal relative growth rates and uniformity indices, based on which the 51 varieties were classified into high-, medium-, and low-performance groups, revealing discrepancies between LeafTip-RN-derived classification (18-40 DAS) and manual assessment at 40 DAS when dynamic early performance was considered. Finally, to facilitate broad adoption by the plant research community, we developed an openly accessible graphical user interface (GUI) for non-expert users to visualise and analyse rapid seedling developmental changes. Taken together, our study provides a scalable GenAI-powered solution for evaluating seedling establishment in wheat, offering valuable tools for breeders and researchers to identify varieties with enhanced early growth vigour and emergence dynamics that are extensible to other cereal crops.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLeafTip-RNは、ドローン画像と深層学習・生成AIによって小麦の葉先や出芽均一性などの形質を自動抽出・連続推定する手法およびGUIを開発し、導出形質を検証しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractHere, we present LeafTip-RN, an open-source and deep learning (DL)-powered pipeline for dynamically measuring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) early establishment in the field.

UAV-based monitoring of fruit-manifested abiotic stress in crops under label scarcity: a case study of blossom-end rot in processing tomatoes. →

Introduction Safeguarding the yield and quality of field crops against abiotic stresses is critical for large-scale agricultural production and precision agronomy. This study addresses the challenges of detecting concealed fruit stress and overcoming label scarcity in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) multispectral monitoring, using blossom-end rot (BER) in processing tomatoes as a case study. Methods We developed a leaf-fruit synergistic Roll and Color Disease Index (RCDI), integrating fruit incidence with visible canopy phenotypic features to characterize the combined canopy-fruit stress status associated with BER. A three-level screening strategy was used to identify the optimal spectral feature set. A Multi-model Collaborative Cyclic Self-Training (MCC-ST) framework was subsequently developed to address the limited availability of severity-labeled samples. Results The combination of GRVI, NDVI, and SAVI was identified as the optimal spectral feature set, achieving stable within-dataset binary classification performance of approximately 97% in repeated cross-validation. Under 30 random-seed repeated stratified three-fold cross-validations, MCC-ST + DT and MCC-ST + RF achieved RCDI-based BER severity-grading accuracies of 85.00% ± 0.31% and 85.07% ± 0.42%, respectively. Compared with the corresponding original DT and RF models, MCC-ST improved repeated-validation accuracy by 16.19-4.09 percentage points. Discussion The RCDI helps bridge the observational gap between canopy signals and concealed fruit stress, while MCC-ST alleviates the bottleneck associated with label scarcity. The proposed approach provides a promising framework for crop abiotic-stress monitoring under limited-label conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像からトマトの果実ストレス状態・BER重症度を推定する指標と、ラベル不足に対応する機械学習フレームワークを開発・検証しており、植物表現型取得・推定手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study addresses the challenges of detecting concealed fruit stress and overcoming label scarcity in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) multispectral monitoring, using blossom-end rot (BER) in processing tomatoes as a case study.

Fpga-accelerated IoT Deployment of a Causal- Attention Multi-modal Deep Learning Network for Precision Crop Disease Monitoring →

Abstract Outbreaks of plant diseases are major threats to world food security particularly in areas where real-time monitoring and quick decision support are constrained by low-power edge gadgets and untrustworthy connectivity. In order to overcome these issues, this paper presents a FPGA-Accelerated IoT implementation of a Causal-Attention Multi-Modal Deep Learning Network, named EpiFusionNet-Edge, that can be applied to monitor crop diseases with real-world farming scenarios with high precision and scalability. The framework incorporates five data modalities that are complementary in nature and they include RGB leaf pictures, microscopic foldscope images, UAV hyperspectral signatures, microclimate IoT sensor measurements and region-specific pathogen/pest pressure indexes giving a complete picture of the health of the plant. Dual causal-attention mechanism is proposed to simulate both spatial and temporal environmental factor activation, which helps to detect and make predictions at the early stage and provides an explanatory logic behind the decisions. Multi-task learning enables classification of diseases, quantification of their intensity at the level of a micro-prediction and prediction of outbreaks in the short term (1–30 days). In order to achieve deployability in resource-constrained settings, the proposed deep learning architecture is ensemble-distilled, structurally pruned, and INT8-quantized, and hardened on a Xilinx Zynq-7000 FPGA platform. The FPGA accelerator is 43.2x faster inference, 88 percent less power usage, and less than 10 ms latency, which allows real-time execution of continuous field monitoring with IoT sensors. Cross-condition assessment on multi-domain datasets shows that there are great improvements on cross-environment generalization rates with 98.6% classification accuracy, 92.7% severity estimation accuracy and less than 3.5% degradation with domain shift. Grad-CAM + + and causal feature traceability further add interpretability with the focus of the model and the pathological indicators proven by experts. The findings show the promise of using a combination of IoT sensing, multi-modal AI fusion, and FPGA hardware acceleration to develop a deployable and scalable and transparent system with regard to precision agriculture. This paper creates a roadmap to a new generation of smart farming systems that are able to conduct disease surveillance and actively protect crops at the periphery in an autonomous manner.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物病害の画像・センサー観測から病害強度を定量化するマルチモーダル・エッジ推論基盤を開発し、精度・速度・消費電力・ドメインシフトを評価しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractthis paper presents a FPGA-Accelerated IoT implementation of a Causal-Attention Multi-Modal Deep Learning Network, named EpiFusionNet-Edge

Multi dimensional variable influence mechanism analysis for wheat biomass estimation using fused UAV spectral and canopy height data and machine learning. →

Introduction Accurate and non-destructive estimation of wheat biomass is essential for crop growth monitoring, yield prediction, and precision agriculture. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based remote sensing, integrating both spectral and structural information, has shown great potential for biomass estimation. However, the mechanisms by which different types of variables contribute to biomass prediction remain poorly understood, especially when using machine learning models. Methods In this study, we fused spectral reflectance, vegetation indices, and canopy height data derived from a UAV multispectral camera to estimate wheat biomass across four growth stages (jointing, booting, heading, and filling). Four machine learning algorithms-XGBoost, Random Forest Regressor (RFR), Support Vector Regressor (SVR), and LASSO-were employed and compared. Results and discussion The results showed that XGBoost achieved the highest accuracy (R 2 = 0.919, RMSE = 102.43 g/m², MAE = 77.43 g/m², RRMSE = 19.71%). Furthermore, SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis revealed that canopy height (CH) was the most important variable, followed by spectral indices such as R842 and GNDVI. The univariate and global contribution analyses demonstrated that structural and spectral variables played complementary roles in biomass estimation. This study provides a mechanistic understanding of variable contributions and offers a robust framework for UAV-based wheat biomass estimation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVスペクトル・キャノピー高データから小麦バイオマスを推定し、複数機械学習法を比較・評価する方法論的研究であり、植物形質取得が中心である。

abstractwe fused spectral reflectance, vegetation indices, and canopy height data derived from a UAV multispectral camera to estimate wheat biomass across four growth stages

Remote Sensing Applications in Sugar Beet Production: From Crop Monitoring to Precision Management →

Remote sensing has become an important tool for crop monitoring and precision agriculture, yet its applications in sugar beet production remain fragmented across sensing platforms, target traits and modelling strategies. This review synthesises the development, current applications and future directions of remote sensing in sugar beet production, with particular attention to the transition from crop monitoring to precision management. A structured search was conducted in Scopus and the Web of Science Core Collection for publications from 2003 to 2025, and 181 relevant peer-reviewed articles were retained for thematic analysis. The literature shows a clear increase in sugar beet remote sensing studies, particularly after 2015, coinciding with the availability of Sentinel-2 imagery and, from 2016 onwards, the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicle-based sensing. It also indicates a gradual shift from crop mapping and canopy monitoring towards disease detection, weed mapping, yield prediction and management-oriented applications. Current studies demonstrate the value of satellite, unmanned aerial vehicle and proximal sensing for retrieving canopy traits, assessing biotic stresses, estimating root yield and supporting field-scale management. However, sugar beet presents specific challenges because its economic value depends not only on canopy development or root biomass, but also on sucrose concentration, recoverable sugar yield, and processing quality. These quality-related traits remain less studied and are difficult to infer directly from canopy observations. Modelling approaches have evolved from vegetation-index-based empirical models towards machine learning, deep learning, multi-temporal analysis, data fusion and crop model assimilation, but issues of model transferability, ground-truth availability and operational decision support remain unresolved. Future research should strengthen multi-source observations, external validation, quality-oriented prediction and decision-support workflows to promote robust, scalable and economically meaningful remote sensing applications in sugar beet production.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsサトウダイコンのリモートセンシングによるキャノピー形質、ストレス、根収量などの推定手法を体系的にレビューしており、センシング基盤とモデル化・検証課題が中心的に扱われている。

abstractThis review synthesises the development, current applications and future directions of remote sensing in sugar beet production, with particular attention to the transition from crop monitoring to precision management.

INTEGRATING UAV-BASED THERMAL IMAGING, DREB EXPRESSION, AND AGRONOMIC INDICES TO EVALUATE DROUGHT TOLERANCE IN DIVERSE TRITICUM SPECIES →

Selecting ideal drought-tolerant wheat varieties requires a holistic synthesis of digital phenotypes, molecular markers, and agronomic indices. This study evaluated 16 wheat genotypes for drought tolerance by integrating digital phenotyping (UAV-based thermal imaging), molecular data (DREB gene expression profiles), and 12 agronomic indices. While vegetative DREB accumulation remained mostly homogeneous, the generative stage triggered pronounced transcriptional shifts, and late-stage thermal screening revealed highly significant genotypic differences during grain filling. A multivariate PCA biplot identified early canopy temperature differences during tillering (ΔCT_TL) as the most informative non-destructive selection indicator. ΔCT_TL showed a strong positive association with terminal yield stability metrics (YSI and RSI) and a marked negative relationship with the drought sensitivity index (SDI). This early canopy temperature regulation contributed to the maintenance of yield stability in the modern hexaploid variety MFTBY-T and advanced tetraploid lines OR2-T and OR4-S. In contrast, poorly adapted ancient varieties (P5-S and S3-S) exhibited high drought sensitivity accompanied by pronounced late-stage induction of DREB1 and DREB2, suggesting a delayed stress-response mechanism activated under severe tissue dehydration. Conversely, the modern tetraploid variety KZLTN-T and hexaploid landraces appeared to rely on an early vegetative molecular priming strategy. These findings suggest that breeding programs should prioritize the incorporation of vegetative transcriptional traits associated with effective canopy temperature homeostasis into elite genetic backgrounds.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV熱画像によるキャノピー温度の非破壊測定をデジタル表現型として用い、乾燥耐性選抜指標として評価しており、表現型取得・解析が研究の主要な構成要素である。

titleINTEGRATING UAV-BASED THERMAL IMAGING, DREB EXPRESSION, AND AGRONOMIC INDICES TO EVALUATE DROUGHT TOLERANCE IN DIVERSE TRITICUM SPECIES

An End-to-End Precision Phenotyping Framework: Rice Panicle Detection and Counting in Complex Fields via Lightweight DETR →

Accurate, high-throughput quantification of rice panicles is important for yield estimation and breeding-oriented rice phenotyping. However, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based panicle detection remains challenging because flight-altitude variation produces large target-scale changes. Flooded paddy backgrounds, leaf occlusion, and illumination fluctuations further obscure small panicle targets. To address these challenges, we constructed a composite multi-altitude dataset covering UAV imagery acquired from 3 to 20 m under varying field conditions. We then propose Panicle-DETR, a lightweight detection and counting framework based on a frequency-aware Cross Stage Partial (CSP) backbone. Rather than treating the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) as a filter by itself, the proposed FasterFD module uses frequency-domain representations with learnable frequency-response reweighting to enhance panicle-related texture cues and reduce redundant background responses. A Lossless Feature Encoder is designed to preserve fine spatial information for small targets across altitude-induced scale changes, while a composite metric loss based on Normalized Gaussian Wasserstein Distance (NWD) and Inner-IoU improves localization for adherent and overlapping panicle clusters. On the composite dataset, Panicle-DETR achieved a Precision of 90.97%, a Mean Absolute Error of 4.28, and an R2 of 0.957 for single-frame panicle counting. With 13.78 M parameters and 53.0 GFLOPs, the framework achieved 16.9 FPS with 1.96 GB peak GPU memory in a battery-powered notebook benchmark, supporting its potential for resource-constrained field-side UAV image analysis.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像からイネ穂の検出・計数という植物形質推定を中心に、マルチ高度データセットと専用解析フレームワークを開発・評価しているため。

abstractAccurate, high-throughput quantification of rice panicles is important for yield estimation and breeding-oriented rice phenotyping.

UAV image-derived canopy traits for predicting alfalfa fall dormancy and forage yield in Mediterranean environments. →

Fall dormancy (FD) and forage yield (FY) are two key traits in alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) breeding programs. However, genetic progress has remained limited over the past decades, largely due to the complexity of alfalfa breeding and the reliance on labor-intensive phenotyping methods. High-throughput phenotyping (HTP) using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represents a promising alternative for rapid and non-destructive crop evaluation. The objectives of this study were to i) estimate FD using UAV-derived canopy height and RGB vegetation indices and ii) evaluate the predictive performance of machine learning (ML) models for FY estimation. A total of 210 alfalfa populations with diverse genetic backgrounds were evaluated over two growing seasons (2023 to 2025) across seven harvests under Mediterranean conditions in central Chile. FY was measured manually, while FD was estimated using both manual and UAV-based approaches. A total of 19 RGB-derived indices (VIs) including plant height (PH) were extracted and used as predictor variables. Five complex predictive ML models were evaluated: PLS, PCR, SVM, ANN, and MLR. The results showed that UAV-derived FD was significantly correlated with FD obtained through conventional methods ( R 2 = 0.88). The automated UAV-based FD phenotyping framework demonstrated slightly higher precision ( R 2 = 0.92) and broad-sense heritability ( H 2 = 0.69) compared to manual measurements ( R 2 = 0.87–0.89; H 2 = 0.64), providing a more reliable selection tool for breeders. Among the tested ML models, SVM and ANN achieved the highest accuracy ( R 2 ≈ 0.73) for FY prediction. These findings demonstrate that integrating low-cost RGB imagery with complex modeling offers a promising avenue that could assist in refining future selection strategies for this genetically complex species.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像からアルファルファの休眠性と収量関連形質を推定する高スループット表現型解析手法を開発・検証し、手動測定との比較と機械学習モデル評価を行っているため、方法が研究の中心である。

abstractHigh-throughput phenotyping (HTP) using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represents a promising alternative for rapid and non-destructive crop evaluation.

A Field-Calibrated UAV LiDAR Workflow-Level Case Study for Individual-Tree Inventory in Jilin Larch Plantations Using PCS, MCRG, and RHCSA →

Sustainable forest management requires inventory workflows that provide spatially explicit structural information while retaining field-based calibration and uncertainty control. This case study evaluated a field-calibrated UAV LiDAR workflow for individual-tree inventory in middle-aged and near-mature larch plantations in Chuanying District, Jilin City, China. UAV laser scanning point-clouds were integrated with six 30 m × 30 m field plots to assess three individual-tree extraction algorithms: point-cloud segmentation (PCS), marker-controlled region growing (MCRG), and region-based hierarchical cross-section analysis (RHCSA). Algorithm performance was evaluated using plot-level recall, precision, F-score, localization RMSE, tree-height and crown-width accuracy, bootstrap confidence intervals, exploratory Wilcoxon signed-rank comparisons, and leave-one-plot-out stability checks. MCRG provided the most balanced numerical performance under the tested configuration, with a mean F-score of 0.845, compared with 0.808 for PCS and 0.827 for RHCSA. However, the MCRG-RHCSA paired difference was not robust across the six plots, and the analysis should be interpreted as a dataset-specific workflow comparison rather than a universal algorithm ranking. Tree height was estimated with comparatively high accuracy, whereas crown-width estimation remained weak, indicating that vertical canopy structure was more reliable than lateral crown delineation. After calibration assessment, the workflow was applied to 157.47 ha of UAV LiDAR survey areas and generated 219,996 algorithm-based detections. These outputs are best interpreted as a spatial decision-support layer for compartment updating, density screening, and field-inspection prioritization, not as an independently verified wall-to-wall stem census.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV LiDARによる個体樹の抽出・樹高・樹冠幅推定を中心に、複数アルゴリズムの精度比較、校正、安定性検証を行うワークフロー研究であり、植物形質取得手法が中核である。

abstractThis case study evaluated a field-calibrated UAV LiDAR workflow for individual-tree inventory

Improving ecological indicators of mangrove canopy height and aboveground biomass through multi-source data fusion on the Amazon coast →

Reliable ecological indicators of mangrove structure and carbon storage are essential for monitoring coastal ecosystem conditions, yet their accuracy remains uncertain in tall, structurally heterogeneous forests, where Earth observation products differ in sensor physics, spatial resolution, and acquisition dates. Here, we present a multi-scale framework to evaluate, calibrate, and improve two widely used ecological indicators of mangrove condition—canopy height and aboveground biomass (AGB)—across approximately 7000 ha of mangroves in the Marapanim estuary, northern Brazil. The framework integrates UAV photogrammetry, radar-derived digital elevation models (TanDEM-X and SRTM), and field measurements to quantify cross-scale discrepancies and identify the main sources of uncertainty affecting indicator retrieval. High-resolution UAV canopy-height models revealed exceptionally tall Avicennia forests reaching up to 53 m, among the tallest mangroves reported globally. At the local scale, mean AGB reached approximately 648 Mg ha −1 in the southern Avicennia -dominated sector and 430 Mg ha −1 in the northern mixed Rhizophora–Avicennia sector, with local maxima of ∼800 Mg ha −1 . In contrast, radar-derived products yielded substantially lower estimates of canopy height and biomass, with height differences of 8–10 m in tall and structurally heterogeneous stands. These discrepancies reflect the combined effects of sensor-dependent canopy representation, spatial averaging, and temporal mismatch between historical radar acquisitions and recent UAV observations. To improve the ecological interpretation of these products, we implemented a calibration strategy linking field and UAV measurements to satellite observations and complemented it with UAV-based three-dimensional volumetric reconstruction of individual trees as an independent structural check on allometric biomass estimates. Our results show that canopy height and AGB derived from coarse-resolution radar products can systematically underestimate mangrove structural condition and carbon storage in tall forests unless locally calibrated. Beyond documenting exceptionally tall and carbon-dense Amazonian mangroves, this study provides a transferable framework for evaluating and improving ecological indicators of forest structure and biomass in complex coastal ecosystems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV photogrammetry・レーダー・現地測定を統合し、マングローブの樹冠高と地上部バイオマスという植物形質の推定を評価・較正・改善する方法論が研究の中心である。

abstractHere, we present a multi-scale framework to evaluate, calibrate, and improve two widely used ecological indicators of mangrove condition—canopy height and aboveground biomass (AGB)—across approximately 7000 ha of mangroves in the Marapanim estuary, northern Brazil.

Three-dimensional reconstruction and light interception quantification of maize/soybean system based on UAV cross-surround photography →

Abstract has not been obtained from indexed metadata or an accessible article page.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV周囲撮影による三次元再構成と光 interception の定量化が題名上の中心であり、作物群落の構造・光環境という植物状態の取得手法に該当する。

titleThree-dimensional reconstruction and light interception quantification of maize/soybean system based on UAV cross-surround photography

UAV remote sensing for yield prediction in staple crops: a review. →

Accurate yield prediction for major grain and oilseed crops, including soybean, corn, wheat, and rice, is essential for food-security assessment and precision field management. This study presents a structured integrative review of UAV-based crop yield prediction and follows PRISMA-guided procedures for literature search, screening, and evidence synthesis. Seventy peer-reviewed studies published between 2018 and 2025 were synthesized within a "Data-Ground Truth-Model-Decision" framework. Beyond summarizing UAV platforms, sensor configurations, feature-engineering strategies, and model architectures, the review explicitly distinguishes among microplot, field, and regional prediction scales, and evaluates the characteristics and limitations of yield-label acquisition methods, including manual harvest, plot-combine harvest, and combine yield-monitor data. Existing evidence indicates that the reliability of UAV-based yield prediction depends not only on optimal image acquisition windows, multi-source feature fusion, and model architecture, but also on scale-consistent yield labels, spatially aware validation strategies, and clearly defined model outputs, such as plot-level scalar yield, field-scale yield maps, and regional yield estimates. Major bottlenecks include scale mismatch between UAV imagery and yield labels, error propagation during yield-map generation, limited cross-year and cross-region transferability, weak causal interpretability, and difficulties in deploying models under complex operational field conditions. Future research should emphasize scale-explicit benchmark datasets, quality-controlled ground-truth yield acquisition, UAV-satellite-ground data fusion, spatiotemporal deep learning, and edge-cloud collaborative systems that can translate prediction outputs into agronomic decisions. This review provides a practical pathway for developing robust, interpretable, and deployable UAV-based yield prediction systems for major grain and oilseed crops.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から作物の収量という植物形質を推定する手法を中心に、プラットフォーム、特徴量、モデル、検証尺度、グラウンドトゥルースを体系的にレビューしているため、方法レビューとして収載。

abstractThis study presents a structured integrative review of UAV-based crop yield prediction and follows PRISMA-guided procedures for literature search, screening, and evidence synthesis.

Using unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) and photogrammetry to estimate tree height and trunk diameter of urban American elm trees →

Urban forest health may be monitored and supported with the implementation and maintenance of an accurate community tree inventory. The longitudinal recording of a tree’s attributes (i.e. diameter and height) may inform potential inputs and activities related to maintenance, health, and the establishment of a tree protection zone. Urban tree inventories feature barriers to implementation including resources (i.e. labour, time, and finances), competing priorities, and gaps in knowledge. The objectives of this case study were to investigate the feasibility of structure-from-motion (SfM) approaches to measure tree height and trunk diameter (1) with oblique RGB imagery, (2) with and without GCP, and (3) during leaf-off and leaf-on conditions. Structure-from-Motion datasets were obtained using Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) – “drones” and related components – to collect oblique aerial imagery, which was processed with photogrammetry software Agisoft Metashape. Tree height measurements using leaf-on imagery (R2 = 0.58, RMSE = 1.34 m) were more accurate when compared to leaf-off imagery with Ground Control Points (GCP) (R2 = 0.47, RMSE = 3.41 m) and leaf-off imagery without GCPs (R2 = 0.43, RMSE = 3.49 m). Tree height measurements during the leaf-off period had no significant difference when comparing imagery with and without GCPs. Trunk diameter measurements using leaf-off imagery were not significantly different with the use of GCPs (R2 = 0.68, RMSE = 6.39 cm) compared to those without (R2 = 0.68, RMSE = 7.85 cm). This case study highlights the applicability and accuracy of Unoccupied Aerial Systems and Structure-from-Motion methods when collecting important urban tree inventory parameters, and presents an accessible, reliable, and replicable workflow for urban forestry practitioners with limited photogrammetry-related experience.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAS-SfMフォトグラメトリによる樹高・幹径という植物形態形質の推定法を開発・比較検証し、精度と再現可能なワークフローを評価しているため、方法が中心的です。

abstractThe objectives of this case study were to investigate the feasibility of structure-from-motion (SfM) approaches to measure tree height and trunk diameter

Toward Autonomous Crop Sensing: High-Frequency UAV-Based RGB and Thermal Imaging of Maize and Soybean →

Abstract Precision field management and high-throughput plant phenotyping increasingly rely on remote sensing to capture spatial and temporal variability in crop performance. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – based sensing offers unique advantages for field-scale data collection, including high spatial resolution, flexible deployment, and scalable throughput. However, the full potential of UAV platforms remains constrained by labor-intensive operations across flight execution, data transfer, and processing workflows. This study presents a systematic evaluation of an automatic UAV-based crop sensing platform through a season-long, multi-crop field experiment. Data acquisition was conducted over a maize irrigation trial and a soybean breeding experiment, resulting in 176 completed flights over 28 days during the growing season. High-frequency flights on selected days captured diurnal dynamics in key canopy traits, including maize leaf rolling under drought stress and genotype-dependent plot temperature variation in soybean. In the maize irrigation experiment, significant differences in diurnal canopy cover ratio (CCR) were observed among irrigation treatments. The predictive relationship between CCR and final grain yield strengthened throughout the day, with the coefficient of determination (R 2 ) increasing from 0.05 in the early morning (RMSE = 3.05 Mg ha − 1 ) to 0.65 at midday (RMSE = 1.87 Mg ha − 1 ), highlighting the importance of temporal optimization in UAV-based sensing. Temperature measurements from the onboard thermal infrared camera showed a strong overall linear correlation with ground truth measurements (R 2 = 0.85). In the soybean trial, the highest plot temperature was observed on the fast-wilting genotype. Additionally, regression models were developed to estimate key crop traits, including canopy height (CH) and leaf area index (LAI), demonstrating the platform’s quantitative sensing capability. Overall, this study demonstrates that automatic UAV systems enable high-temporal-resolution crop monitoring while substantially reducing operational cost. The results highlight their potential for precise crop management and scalable field phenotyping. Future work will focus on integrating automated data processing pipelines to support near-real-time analytics and decision-making.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods自動UAVのRGB・熱画像センシング platform を圃場で系統的に評価し、温度・キャノピー被覆率・高さ・LAIなどの植物形質を定量化しているため、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study presents a systematic evaluation of an automatic UAV-based crop sensing platform through a season-long, multi-crop field experiment.

Plant area index estimation from UAV LiDAR time-series over cherry orchards →

Purpose In recent years, there has been a growing use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data for mapping plant area index (PAI) in orchards. However, using LiDAR time-series collected throughout the growing season to assess PAI variations in response to phenology, represents an understudied area of investigation. Furthermore, establishing the optimal spatial resolution for mapping biophysical variables of tree crops from LiDAR point cloud data remains poorly defined. Here, we assess the capability of a UAV-based LiDAR system to characterize cherry trees throughout the growing season, with a focus on monitoring PAI and the vertical structure of individual trees. Methods A time-series of 14 point cloud acquisitions with a density of 3300 points/m2 was collected between February and December 2022, covering all phenological stages of a cherry orchard in southern France. A voxel-based method was applied to create a three-dimensional grid within which PAI was estimated for each voxel. PAI was mapped by accumulating the individual voxel-based PAI values within each vertical voxel column. Results The results demonstrate that a voxel size of at least 0.7 m is required to retrieve reliable PAI estimates (RMSE = 0.58 m2.m−2, MAE = 0.48 m2.m−2, bias = 0.19 m2.m−2, rRMSE = 23%, and R2 = 0.51), while a voxel size of 1 m produced the most accurate PAI estimates (RMSE = 0.5 m2.m−2, MAE = 0.41 m2.m−2, bias = 0.07 m2.m−2, R2 = 0.59), when assessed against field-based PAI measurements obtained with a LAI-2200 Plant Canopy Analyzer. The temporal variation of canopy PAI illustrated the progression of key phenological stages, including flowering, leaf development, ripening and senescence, as well as the response of the canopy to drought stress (reduction in PAI due to leaf rolling) during the summer. The maps of PAI successfully described the variations in leaf canopy density for different cherry varieties and allowed assessment of the vertical PAI profile at the individual tree level, which provides valuable insight into tree condition. Conclusion This study confirms that seasonal UAV-LiDAR monitoring is a viable, informative approach for capturing orchard canopy dynamics at the individual tree and sub-canopy level, linking canopy structure to phenology, varietal differences, and stress responses across the growing season.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV-LiDARとボクセル法による樹冠PAI・垂直構造の推定手法を開発・検証し、時系列および個体レベルで評価しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractHere, we assess the capability of a UAV-based LiDAR system to characterize cherry trees throughout the growing season, with a focus on monitoring PAI and the vertical structure of individual trees.

Estimating maize canopy water content using UAV-based multispectral-thermal infrared imagery and canopy signal distributional features. →

Introduction Canopy water content (CWC) is an important indicator of crop water status **and** supports precision irrigation decision-making. Plot-level CWC estimation using UAV imagery often relies on canopy mean features, whereas the role of within-plot canopy-signal distributional information remains insufficiently examined. Methods In this study, spring maize at the Shiyanghe site was monitored using UAV-based multispectral and thermal infrared imagery. Mean, percentile, and dispersion features were extracted from effective canopy pixels within each plot. RFECV feature selection, 50 repeated random train-test splits, paired statistical tests, simulated spatial aggregation, and four regression models were used to evaluate the stage- and scale-dependent contribution of these features. Results and discussion Water stress affected both overall spectral-thermal responses and within-plot signal distributions. Before tasseling, percentile and dispersion features were frequently selected and provided complementary information, especially for tree-based models and finer aggregation scales. After tasseling, mean features generally showed more stable performance, although some distributional features still contained CWC-related information. The supplementary Xinxiang site-internal analysis suggested that, under weak water-gradient and small-sample conditions, distributional features may be frequently selected but may not consistently improve prediction accuracy. Overall, the contribution of distributional features was growth-stage-, scale-, and model-dependent.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル・熱赤外画像からトウモロコシ群落の水分含量を推定する特徴抽出・選択・回帰手法を中心に、反復分割や統計検定で技術的に評価しているため。

abstractPlot-level CWC estimation using UAV imagery often relies on canopy mean features, whereas the role of within-plot canopy-signal distributional information remains insufficiently examined.

3D Reconstruction of deciduous Trees using low-cost UAV- and Crane-based Photogrammetry for Monitoring Shoot Elongation across entire Canopies →

Tree growth determines how much CO2 is sequestered from the atmosphere and temporarily stored in woody biomass. At the same time tree growth is affected by increasing temperatures, more frequent drought periods, late frosts and other extreme events associated with climate change. While continuous measurements of radial (secondary) tree growth using dendrometers are well established, monitoring of shoot elongation (primary growth) has largely been neglected because suitable measurement techniques are lacking. As a result, the effects of climate change on primary tree growth remain insufficiently understood. This work aims at reconstructing native deciduous trees in 3D as a basis for measuring and monitoring shoot elongation over entire tree canopies. Here we explored the use of low-cost UAV photogrammetry and of a multi-camera CraneCam system under real-world conditions. Data were collected in two study areas over an entire growing season. We present sensor evaluations, photogrammetric data acquisition and processing strategies. A special focus is placed on the analysis of the resulting photogrammetric 3D point clouds in terms of accuracy, resolution and completeness. Results demonstrate 3D point accuracies of 5-6 mm for entire trees using consumer-grade UAVs weighing less than 250 g and a 3D reconstruction completeness between 92% and 98% depending on the UAV type. The paper introduces a novel 3Dprinted ground-truth branch to evaluate the capability to reconstructing fine-detail structures such as thin tree shoots. Finally, we discuss operational challenges and initial experiments towards a skeletonization of entire trees based on photogrammetric point clouds.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods樹冠全体のシュート伸長を測定するための3D再構成手法を開発・評価し、センサー評価、取得・処理戦略、精度・完全性の検証を中心に扱っているため。

abstractThis work aims at reconstructing native deciduous trees in 3D as a basis for measuring and monitoring shoot elongation over entire tree canopies.

Rice yield prediction using UAV-based multispectral imagery and AutoGluon across regions and field scales →

Introduction Accurate and transferable rice yield prediction is essential for precision agriculture and food security, yet existing remote sensing-based models often suffer from limited generalization across regions, cultivars, and field scales. Methods This study developed an interpretable automated machine learning framework for rice yield prediction using UAV-based multispectral imagery collected at the maturity stage. A total of 143 rice samples, including 79 experimental plots and 64 production fields across 15 counties in Sichuan Province, China, were investigated. 20 vegetation indices and 36 gray-level co-occurrence matrix texture features were extracted from multispectral orthomosaics, and three feature selection strategies: Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC), Random Forest feature importance (RF-I), and AutoGluon feature importance(AutoGluon-I), were systematically compared. Four regression approaches, including CatBoost, ExtraTrees, Random Forest, and an AutoGluon stacked ensemble, were evaluated using R 2 , RMSE, and MAE. Results The results showed that the AutoGluon ensemble consistently outperformed individual machine learning models, improving testset R 2 from 0.403-0.670 to 0.528-0.736. The best performance was achieved by combining Pearson correlation-based feature selection with AutoGluon, yielding a training R 2 of 0.821 and a test R 2 of 0.736, with RMSE and MAE values of 0.749 and 0.568 t ha -1 , respectively. Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) analysis further revealed that texture features, particularly red-band contrast and angular second moment features, contributed substantially to yield prediction, indicating the importance of canopy structural heterogeneity at maturity. Discussion Overall, the proposed PCC-AutoGluon-SHAP framework provides a lightweight, accurate, and interpretable approach for UAV-based rice yield estimation across heterogeneous field conditions, offering practical potential for scalable precision agriculture and regional yield monitoring.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像からイネの収量を推定する画像・特徴抽出・機械学習フレームワークを開発し、複数モデルと特徴選択法を比較検証しており、植物表現型取得・推定が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study developed an interpretable automated machine learning framework for rice yield prediction using UAV-based multispectral imagery collected at the maturity stage.

RGB-UAV-based phenotyping reveals the influence of planting density on physiological traits, biomass, and yield in buckwheat. →

Accurate estimation of crop yield and biomass using UAV-based remote sensing is influenced by flight altitude, plant density, canopy structure, vegetation index (VI) selection, and crop growth stage. This study evaluated how the joint optimization of these factors influences biomass and yield prediction in common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench var. 'Yangjeol'). Field experiments were conducted using broadcast seeding and drill seeding at four row spacings (12.5, 20, 30, and 40 cm) following the complete Latin square design. UAV RGB imagery was acquired at the third-leaf and full-flowering stages from 30, 50, and 60 m altitudes, and vegetation indices Excess Green Index (ExG), Green Leaf Index (GLI), and Normalized Green-Red Difference Index (NGRDI)were extracted. ANOVA with Tukey's HSD revealed significant variations in biomass and yield traits among sowing treatments (p < 0.005). The highest fresh weight was recorded under drill seeding at 12.5 cm spacing, while seed weight was consistently higher under all drill seeding treatments compared with broadcast seeding. The number of seeds per plant peaked under 40 cm spacing, indicating a trade-off between planting density and reproductive output. Strong and significant correlations between vegetation indices and ground-measured traits were observed (r = 0.82-0.98), but these relationships were highly dependent on growth stage, sowing configuration, and UAV altitude. The third-leaf stage under broadcast seeding and full flowering stage under drill seeding at 20 cm spacing showed the strongest and most consistent VI-trait associations. Among UAV altitudes, 50 m provided the most stable predictive performance across traits. ExG and GLI exhibited more consistent relationships with biomass and yield parameters than NGRDI. These findings demonstrate that no single UAV altitude, vegetation index, or growth stage is universally optimal. Instead, coordinated optimization of UAV operational parameters and sowing configurationsubstantially improves the reliability of UAV-based yield and biomass estimation in buckwheat.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV RGB画像と植生指数を用いたバイオマス・収量推定の条件最適化と精度評価が研究の中心であり、植物形質の取得手法を実質的に検証している。

abstractAccurate estimation of crop yield and biomass using UAV-based remote sensing is influenced by flight altitude, plant density, canopy structure, vegetation index (VI) selection, and crop growth stage.

UAV-Derived Multispectral Datasets and Index-Guided Segmentation for Maize Water Stress and Common Rust Detection Under Real Field Conditions →

The segmentation model achieved Mean IoU values of 0.7723 for Water Stress 2025, 0.9164 for Common Rust 2025, and 0.9531 on the benchmark dataset. The classifier achieved 99.54% accuracy for the five-class task; however, the improvement over the strongest baselines and the RGB + multispectral configuration was limited. Therefore, the classification component is not presented as a substantially superior classification-only model. Instead, it is interpreted as an exploratory multimodal analysis that quantifies the contribution and limitation of RGB, multispectral, Wavelet, and GLCM branches under the adopted UAV dataset protocol. For classification-only deployment, simpler alternatives such as DenseNet201 or the RGB + multispectral configuration may be more practical because they provide comparable accuracy with lower architectural or preprocessing complexity. Ablation, modality-controlled, and 21-run stability experiments showed reproducible segmentation results and clarified the behavior of the classification branches. RGB and multispectral branches mainly provided the peak classification accuracy, whereas Wavelet and GLCM branches mainly affected offline convergence rather than final accuracy. RGB, NDVI, and NDRE visualizations were also added for qualitative support. Since direct physiological ground measurements were not available for all samples, the masks are interpreted as adaptive index-guided labels rather than direct physiological ground truth. Overall, the main evidence of practical benefit is associated with UAV-based dataset construction, adaptive index-guided segmentation, and field-scale stress/disease mapping, while the classification experiments should be interpreted as modality-contribution and convergence analyses rather than proof of a practically superior complex classifier.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像によるトウモロコシの水ストレス・病害状態のセグメンテーション、データセット構築、再現性評価が研究の中心であり、植物表現型の取得・抽出手法として実質的です。

abstractOverall, the main evidence of practical benefit is associated with UAV-based dataset construction, adaptive index-guided segmentation, and field-scale stress/disease mapping

High-Throughput Phenotyping of Faba Bean Crop Using Remote Sensing Technologies and Data Analytics: A Systematic Assessment of Status and Trends Over Past Decade →

Abstract Faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) is a widely cultivated legume in temperate regions, valued for human consumption, animal feed, hay production, and as a cover crop. Improving faba bean productivity requires accurate characterization of morphological and physiological traits that govern crop performance and yield. Although conventional phenotyping methods are available, they are often constrained by high cost, limited accuracy, and insufficient spatial and temporal coverage. In recent years, high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) approaches have shown potential to overcome these limitations. HTP integrates sensors, unoccupied aerial and ground vehicles, and imaging systems to enable rapid, and non-destructive monitoring of crop traits at high spatiotemporal resolution. Despite increasing adoption of HTP, no study has comprehensively compared and synthesized these methods for faba beans, therefore is the goal of this study with emphasis on advanced sensing and data analytics including machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL). A systematic evaluation of 24 peer-reviewed articles from an initial pool of 381 publications between 2015 and 2025, identified research trends, performance benchmarks, and integration challenges with HTP-based faba bean characterization. Substantial increase in faba bean HTP studies has been noted after 2021, with ML approaches dominating current applications (37.5%). Most studies have relied on small datasets, single-season experiments, and limited environmental variability, restricting model robustness and scalability. Such limitations, research gaps, and future directions are also outlined to support reliable, and scalable phenotyping for improved faba bean production.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsソラマメの高スループット表現型解析手法を体系的に比較・評価し、センサー、画像、UAV・地上車両、データ解析の性能と課題を扱う方法論レビューである。

titleHigh-Throughput Phenotyping of Faba Bean Crop Using Remote Sensing Technologies and Data Analytics: A Systematic Assessment of Status and Trends Over Past Decade

Comparing Unsupervised and Supervised Classifiers on Multispectral UAV Data to Detect Crop Water–Nitrogen Co-Limitation →

This study compared unsupervised and supervised machine learning, and deep learning (U-Net) classifiers on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) multispectral imagery to identify nitrogen status in potato crops under nitrogen (N) fertilization treatments, irrigation (I), and their interaction (N × I). The U-Net model outperformed all other methods, achieving accuracies for crop nitrogen status of 65–99% in N, 84–100% in I, and 41–82% in N × I treatments, with variation due to different input data. Supervised machine learning also performed well, with Support Vector Machine achieving 53–87, 66–86, and 32–66% respectively, and Random Forest 61–96, 70–81, and 33–65%. Unsupervised K-means yielded the lowest accuracies (47–58, 9–65, and 8–34%), demonstrating necessity of substantial supervision to delineate crop nitrogen and water status. These findings were confirmed by repeated analyses of UAV imagery acquired later in the growing season with consistent results. Comparable classification performance was observed for crop water status and leaf area index at both time points. Despite being demonstrated in a single-field, single-crop framework, the results provide proof of concept for applying deep learning classifiers to detect subtle nitrogen and water stress under field conditions in precision agriculture. Future research could test diverse agroecosystems and growing seasons, alternative deep learning algorithms, and sensor data fusion to improve classification accuracies.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像からジャガイモの窒素・水分状態およびLAIを推定する分類手法を比較・検証しており、植物状態の取得と手法性能評価が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study compared unsupervised and supervised machine learning, and deep learning (U-Net) classifiers on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) multispectral imagery to identify nitrogen status in potato crops

Estimating plant density of maize across the growing season via dynamic fusion of UAV-based multimodal data →

Abstract has not been obtained from indexed metadata or an accessible article page.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチモーダルデータを動的融合し、栽培期間中のトウモロコシ個体密度という植物群落形質を推定する手法が題名上の中心である。

titleEstimating plant density of maize across the growing season via dynamic fusion of UAV-based multimodal data

UAV Remote Sensing for Drought-Adaptive Sesame Breeding: Flight-Altitude Benchmarking, Predictive Modelling, and Composite Stress Tolerance Indexing →

Early-generation sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) breeding requires high-throughput phenotyping of large unreplicated populations across contrasting environments. A DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral UAV was flown at 40, 80, and 120 m above ground level (AGL) over 588 M2 genotypes under full irrigation (ENV1) and terminal drought (ENV2; irrigation withheld from reproductive onset) on four dates (July–September 2025). Structure-from-motion canopy height models were compared with ground measurements, and four spectral reflectance indices—Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalised Difference Red Edge (NDRE), Green Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI), and Leaf Chlorophyll Index (LCI)—were derived from 40 m imagery. Ordinary least squares (OLS), Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting were evaluated under leave-one-genotype-out (LOGO), leave-one-environment-out (LOEO), and leave-one-date-out (LODO) cross-validation; genotypic repeatability was quantified by intraclass correlation (ICC), and drought performance was ranked by a composite Stress Tolerance Index (STI) validated against an independent breeder assessment. The 40 m altitude gave the highest height accuracy (R2 = 0.812 in ENV1; 0.663 in ENV2). LOGO accuracy (R2 ≈ 0.83) fell to R2 ≈ 0.55 under LODO—the operationally relevant figure for a new phenological stage—and the full structural–spectral OLS model collapsed (R2 = −0.203) where tree ensembles remained stable. Spectral-index repeatability was up to ~2-fold higher under stress (ICC(3,4) > 0.84). The composite STI flagged 38 elite genotypes (7.6% of 498); 10 of its top 30 were confirmed in the breeder’s 48-best selection from all 588 rows—a 4.1-fold enrichment over chance (hypergeometric p = 4.5 × 10−5).

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から草冠高・スペクトル形質を抽出し、飛行高度、予測モデル、再現性、交差検証を体系的にベンチマークしているため、植物表現型取得法が中心である。

abstractEarly-generation sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) breeding requires high-throughput phenotyping of large unreplicated populations across contrasting environments.

YOLO-DC: A Crop Detection and Counting Network for UAV-Based Agricultural Scenes →

Crop targets in UAV aerial images are typically characterized by small scale, dense distribution, severe mutual occlusion, and complex backgrounds, which often lead to low detection accuracy and large counting errors for existing deep learning models. To address these issues, this study proposes an improved YOLOv12-based crop detection and counting model, named YOLO-DC. By introducing an attention mechanism (LGCB-AM) and a multi-scale detection head (MS-DH), the proposed model effectively enhances local texture extraction, global modeling, foreground–background contrast, and boundary perception for dense small objects. Subsequently, a series of comparative experiments, ablation studies, and transfer experiments were conducted on the wheat and rice datasets. The results show that YOLO-DC achieves a favorable balance among detection accuracy, counting error, and model efficiency and overall outperforms the other comparison models. Ablation studies further verify the effectiveness of the proposed design, showing that LGCB-AM is the key contributor to the performance improvement, while the boundary branch and repulsion branch play critical roles in dense-target discrimination. In addition, an appropriate module insertion strategy can effectively balance high-level semantic enhancement and feature fusion stability. Transfer experiments demonstrate that pretraining on the wheat dataset and fine-tuning on the rice dataset significantly outperform training from scratch, indicating strong cross-crop transfer potential. Overall, the proposed YOLO-DC provides an effective solution for high-precision crop detection and counting in agricultural scenarios.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から作物個体を検出・計数する手法を中心に、モデル開発、比較、アブレーション、転移検証を行っており、植物個体数という観測可能な形態・集団特性を抽出するため、植物フェノタイピング手法として適格です。

abstractthis study proposes an improved YOLOv12-based crop detection and counting model, named YOLO-DC.

Effects of tree-stripes on crop growth in agroforestry systems using unmanned aerial systems-based analysis →

Abstract Agroforestry systems (AFS) offer a promising strategy to address environmental challenges while supporting rising food demands. However, the complex interactions between trees and crops complicate research, particularly regarding their effects on crop yields. This study presents a methodological approach using multispectral unmanned aerial system (UAS) data to investigate a maize-cultivated alley cropping system in eastern Germany as a case study. Growth parameters, namely the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and plant height, were derived as proxies for yield and analyzed in relation to the distance from tree stripes. Additionally, direction-dependent regression analyses were conducted to assess whether spatial variations in the field could be attributed to the trees. Two distinct patterns emerged: first, a pronounced increase in NDVI was observed at close proximity to the trees, correlated with tree height and schematically illustrated for two representative tree stripes; second, at greater distances, fluctuations in NDVI were associated with the trees but lacked consistent directional trends. Considerable inconsistencies were also observed in plant height variations. The discussion highlights potential drivers of the close-range NDVI increase, the applicability of UAS for AFS research, and limitations in generalizing findings from a single case study. Overall, the results demonstrate that tree effects on crop growth and vitality are detectable but marginal in terms of their influence on maize yields at this site, while showcasing the utility of UAS-based approaches for field-scale analysis of AFS.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsマルチスペクトルUASからNDVIと植物高を抽出し、樹木からの距離に伴う作物形質を解析する手法の実質的適用が研究の中心であり、単なるルーチン測定を超える。

abstractThis study presents a methodological approach using multispectral unmanned aerial system (UAS) data to investigate a maize-cultivated alley cropping system in eastern Germany as a case study.

Pasture Biomass Monitoring in Queensland Rangelands with UAV and Satellite Cascades →

Operational satellite monitoring of pasture biomass demands models that extrapolate beyond the range of properties on which they were calibrated. We show that the dominant failure mode of Sentinel-2 pasture-biomass models in tropical Australian rangelands is the saturation and phenological inversion of greenness-based vegetation indices across sites, and that this failure can be substantially repaired with open climate and topsoil covariates from public archives. The work builds on a hierarchical pipeline that scales clip-and-weigh ground truth (n=1120 tare-corrected samples across eleven sites on five Queensland properties) through UAV digital-surface-model imagery to Sentinel-2 predictions, using TabPFN – a pre-trained transformer foundation model for small tabular data – as the regressor at all three nested spatial scales, and a seven-class deep-learning pasture mask (overall accuracy 98.6 %) to suppress mixed-pixel noise. Under a leave-one-site-out (LOSO) cross-validation protocol on twenty site-date aggregates across nine sites, spectral-only models failed to transfer across sites (R2=−0.21, RMSE=4.79 t ha-1). Appending open climate (Open-Meteo ERA5) and soil (SoilGrids 2.0) covariates, and switching to a gradient-boosted regressor on log-transformed biomass, lifted LOSO R2 to +0.07 and reduced RMSE to 4.19 t ha-1. A leaf-nitrogen growth trajectory, predicted by the TabPFN nitrogen regressor developed in our earlier pasture chemistry work, reduced LOSO error by a further 11 % relative to greenness-only growth features. Three additional covariate classes – BARRA-R2 reanalysis climate, three independent fractional-cover products, and Sentinel-1 C-band SAR backscatter – were tested and rejected, all hitting the same RMSE floor. The symmetric negative results suggest that the residual LOSO ceiling at the current nine-property footprint is a sample-size and sensor-saturation limit rather than a feature-engineering one, and that the most tractable operational path forward is to stratify the production model by climatic zone and Queensland Land Type rather than pursue further covariates within a single global learner. Expanding UAV calibration footprints and integrating open climate, soil and plant-chemistry data are complementary, not competing, investments for operational rangeland remote sensing.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV・衛星画像、マスク処理、回帰モデルを組み合わせて牧草バイオマスを推定する測定パイプラインを構築し、サイト外交差検証で性能評価しているため、植物形質取得手法が中心である。

abstractThe work builds on a hierarchical pipeline that scales clip-and-weigh ground truth (n=1120 tare-corrected samples across eleven sites on five Queensland properties) through UAV digital-surface-model imagery to Sentinel-2 predictions

Towards Sustainable Desert Agriculture: An AI-Driven UAV Intelligence Framework for Precision Monitoring and Resource Optimization →

Abstract There are many challenges faced by desert agriculture like water scarcity, extreme temperatures, poor soil conditions and sand encroachment(sand dunes). Traditional farming methods worked exceptionally well in deserts for thousands of years. But now due to modern megacities projects, climate shifts and unpredictable weather patterns these methods cannot keep up with modern planetary pressures. Modern advanced technologies like AI and precision agriculture along with drones provide new opportunities for intelligent crop monitoring and resource management in arid environments. In this research we propose a simulation-based UAV swarm framework for sustainable desert agriculture using virtual UAV agents, synthetic crop imagery, and AI-driven analysis. We generated a synthetic crop monitoring dataset using publicly available crop disease images combined with environmental stress augmentation techniques to emulate desert farming conditions such as dehydration and heat stress. The virtual UAV swarm collects image-based sensor information from different regions of the simulated field. We created a synthetic desert farming stress dataset to emulate challenging environmental conditions including moderate and severe crop stress scenarios. When integrated within the UAV monitoring framework, the proposed approach achieved complete field coverage, a stress detection rate of 100%, and an average prediction confidence of 98.9%. The achieved results showed clearly that our proposed simulated implementation is suitable to support intelligent crop monitoring, stress detection, and resource-efficient agricultural management in desert environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods仮想UAV群、合成作物画像、AI解析を統合した作物ストレス検出・監視フレームワークが研究の中心であり、植物のストレス状態を画像から推定するフェノタイピング手法として扱える。

abstractwe propose a simulation-based UAV swarm framework for sustainable desert agriculture using virtual UAV agents, synthetic crop imagery, and AI-driven analysis.

Using UAV Multispectral Imagery to Predict Leaf SPAD Dynamics During Maize Growth Under Different Plant Densities →

Chlorophyll content represents a key growth indicator for maize. The traditional SPAD (Soil and Plant Analyzer Development) method, though easy to operate, is inefficient, destructive, and unsuitable for high-throughput field monitoring. UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) remote sensing technology is highly efficient and detects abundant indicators, enabling large-scale SPAD measurement. In this study, 18 vegetation indices and eight texture features were selected as the indicator system by combining prior knowledge and experimental analysis. In a two-year maize density experiment, multispectral images were collected in the growth period. The correlations among SPAD values, multispectral indices and texture features were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Then the detection accuracies of three algorithms, i.e., RF (Random Forest), PLSR (Partial Least Squares Regression), and SVR (Support Vector Regression), were compared under this indicator system. Compared with models constructed using single vegetation indices or single texture features, the estimation accuracy of the indicator system at the jointing stage was improved by 0.13 and 0.22, respectively. The results showed that SVR achieved the highest estimation accuracy among the three algorithms, with determination coefficients (R2) of 0.73, 0.77and 0.70 at the jointing, silking, and grain-filling stages, respectively. This study established a non-destructive monitoring framework for chlorophyll content during the entire maize growth stage based on UAV data.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像と回帰モデルにより、トウモロコシの葉緑素量（SPAD）を非破壊推定する手法を構築し、複数アルゴリズムの精度比較も行っており、表現型取得手法が中心である。

abstractThis study established a non-destructive monitoring framework for chlorophyll content during the entire maize growth stage based on UAV data.

Comparative evaluation of precision planter performance via UAV remote sensing: A workflow for maize emergence monitoring →

To overcome the inefficiency and subjectivity of manual seedling surveys, this study presents a unsupervised framework for evaluating maize sowing quality and emergence uniformity via UAV-based remote sensing. Centimeter-level multispectral imagery was captured to reconstruct 3D point clouds using SfM and MVS techniques. At the algorithmic level, an improved unsupervised pipeline was developed: the Otsu method was employed for plant segmentation, followed by a Fourier Transform to extract 2D spatial frequency features for precise crop row identification and automated spacing measurement. Subsequently, the Combined Entropy Uniformity (CEU) index was developed using Shannon entropy, and a proxy for canopy closure (CCP) was derived using a porosity model, thereby enabling the simultaneous relative quantification of seedling height consistency, spatial distribution uniformity, and canopy geometric structure variability. At the application level, the framework was validated through field trials involving 19 precision planters of diverse configurations. Performance was assessed using indices such as qualified spacing, miss-sowing, and the Coefficient of Variation of Plant Spacing (PSCV). Results indicate that: (1) Vacuum-type planters exhibited optimal stability at speeds of 7–9 km/h, achieving an average qualified spacing rate of 76.7% and a PSCV of approximately 24%, whereas finger-pickup planters were more sensitive to seed size variation and mechanical vibration. (2) The results from the Generalized Additive Model (GAM) suggest a possible nonlinear relationship between seeding rate and certain uniformity indices, indicating that appropriately adjusting operational parameters could help balance operational efficiency and seeding quality; however, this trend requires further validation with larger sample sizes and repeated observations. (3) Point cloud CEU metrics and canopy structure proxies based on the Gap Fraction model showed statistical correlations with certain manually collected indicators, indicating that this method has the potential for rapid screening of seeding quality and relative evaluation of seedling population structure at the field scale under the current experimental conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像・3D点群から作物の出芽、草丈均一性、空間分布、群落構造を抽出する解析ワークフローを開発し、19種のプランターで検証しており、植物表現型取得法が中心である。

abstractthis study presents a unsupervised framework for evaluating maize sowing quality and emergence uniformity via UAV-based remote sensing.

Scalable Urban Forest Monitoring: High‐Precision Individual Tree Inventory Using Low‐Cost Oblique UAV Photogrammetry →

ABSTRACT Accurate measurement of individual‐tree structural parameters is critical for forest inventory, carbon stock assessment, and urban ecosystem monitoring; however, low‐cost image‐based approaches often fail to capture under‐canopy structures due to canopy occlusion and limited trunk visibility. This study proposes a fully photogrammetric and cost‐effective workflow based on a single‐sensor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using a hybrid flight geometry to improve trunk observability and automate individual tree parameter extraction. A double‐grid acquisition plan combining nadir (−90°) and oblique (−45°) imagery was applied over a semi‐dense forest plot including 120 reference trees. SfM–MVS processing of 918 images produced a high‐density point cloud (162.5 million points) with 1.54 cm/pixel ground sampling distance. Individual trees were delineated using a hybrid strategy integrating DBSCAN‐based coarse clustering, RANSAC‐validated trunk geometry, and trunk‐seeded 3D splitting. Tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and crown area were derived from segmented 3D tree models and validated against field measurements and differential GNSS observations. The proposed method successfully detected 108 of 120 reference trees (Precision = 1.00, Recall = 0.90, F1‐score = 0.95) and demonstrated high agreement with in situ measurements, achieving RMSE values of 0.79 m for tree height ( R 2 = 0.975), 3.02 cm for DBH ( R 2 = 0.931), and 3.51 m 2 for crown area. In addition, crown boundary modeling showed that α‐shape reconstruction provided a more realistic representation (IoU = 0.78) than Convex Hull methods by reducing systematic overestimation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像とSfM–MVS、点群分割を用いて個体樹木の樹高・DBH・樹冠面積を抽出し、現地測定で検証する方法開発・応用が研究の中心であるため。

abstractTree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and crown area were derived from segmented 3D tree models and validated against field measurements and differential GNSS observations.

Regional-Scale Estimation of Maize Plant Moisture Content in Arid Regions Integrating Multi-Source Remote Sensing and Machine Learning →

Agricultural production in arid regions is strongly constrained by water stress, making timely evaluation of crop water conditions increasingly important. However, conventional measurements of plant moisture content (PMC) primarily rely on destructive oven-drying methods, which are not only labor-intensive and time-consuming but also constrained by limited sample size and spatial coverage. These shortcomings make it difficult to capture the spatial heterogeneity of crop water status across large agricultural regions, thereby restricting regional-scale water diagnosis and precision irrigation decision-making. Focusing on silage maize cultivated in the arid region of Gansu Province, China, this work develops a regional PMC estimation approach by combining multi-source remote sensing data. High-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) observations were integrated with Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 imagery, while radiometric and temperature corrections were applied to improve data consistency. A set of spectral, textural, and thermal features was derived from multispectral, visible, and thermal infrared datasets. Feature selection based on Pearson correlation was then carried out, followed by the construction of three models, namely Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR). Among them, the RF model performed more reliably, achieving a validation R2 of 0.92 with relatively low prediction error. In addition, calibration using UAV data led to a clear improvement in satellite-based estimates, with R2 increasing from 0.52–0.62 to 0.71–0.74. The generated PMC maps captured both the temporal decline during the growing season and the spatial variability across the study area. Overall, the proposed approach offers a practical option for large-scale monitoring of crop water status and can support irrigation management in water-limited environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsマルチソースリモートセンシングと機械学習により、トウモロコシの植物含水量という明示的な植物状態を地域スケールで推定・検証する手法開発が中心である。

abstractthis work develops a regional PMC estimation approach by combining multi-source remote sensing data.

A UAV-based framework for field-scale extraction of leaf inclination angles in soybean canopies →

Abstract has not been obtained from indexed metadata or an accessible article page.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像からダイズ群落の葉の傾斜角を抽出する枠組みであり、明示的な植物形質の取得手法が題名の中心です。

titleA UAV-based framework for field-scale extraction of leaf inclination angles in soybean canopies

Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Smart Agriculture: A Review of Convolutional Neural Networks for Plant Disease Detection and Agribusiness Sustainability →

Plant diseases remain one of the most persistent and economically damaging threats to global food security, with yield losses across major staple crops running into the tens of billions of dollars each year. The rise of artificial intelligence, and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in particular, has opened genuinely new possibilities for detecting plant disease early, accurately, and at scale. This review critically examines the state of CNN-based plant disease detection within the wider context of smart agriculture and agribusiness sustainability. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature published between January 2016 to February 2026, the paper traces the evolution of CNN architectures, training methods, and benchmark performance across a wide range of crops and disease categories. Particular attention is given to transfer learning, data augmentation, and lightweight architecture design as responses to the recurring problem of limited annotated training data. The paper also considers how CNNs are being combined with complementary technologies, including the Internet of Things, unmanned aerial vehicles, and edge computing, and what this means for deployment in real farming conditions. Economic and sustainability dimensions are explored throughout, with attention to whether the gains from AI adoption are likely to reach smallholder farmers or remain concentrated among larger, better-resourced agribusinesses. Despite genuinely impressive results under controlled benchmark conditions, several barriers to field deployment persist: dataset bias, poor generalisation in complex agricultural environments, computational constraints, and a continuing shortfall in model interpretability. The review closes by identifying priority research directions, including cross-domain transfer learning, explainable AI, the development of field-representative datasets, and participatory approaches to tool design. Taken together, the evidence suggests that CNN-based disease detection holds real promise for agribusiness sustainability, but realising that promise will depend on sustained interdisciplinary collaboration and deployment strategies that are sensitive to local context rather than assuming one-size-fits-all solutions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物病害を画像から検出・評価するCNN手法を中心に、モデル、学習法、ベンチマーク、汎化性、データセット、実運用上の課題をレビューしており、植物状態の画像ベース推定に関する方法論的レビューである。

abstractThis review critically examines the state of CNN-based plant disease detection within the wider context of smart agriculture and agribusiness sustainability.

Drone-Based Crop Health Analysis and Precision Agriculture System →

Agriculture remains the backbone of global food security, yet crop diseases, nutrient deficiencies, water stress, and pest infestations cause annual yield losses estimated at 20–40% worldwide. Conventional field scouting methods are labour-intensive, time-consuming, and fail to capture the spatial heterogeneity of large farms. This paper presents a Drone-Based Crop Health Analysis and Precision Agriculture System (DBCHAPS) that integrates multi-spectral and RGB imaging drones, deep learning-based crop disease detection, vegetation index analysis, variable-rate prescription mapping, and autonomous precision spraying. A DJI Matrice 300 RTK drone equipped with a MicaSense RedEdge-MX multi-spectral camera captures high-resolution aerial imagery across five spectral bands (Blue, Green, Red, Red-Edge, Near Infrared). The captured data is processed through a custom-trained YOLOv8-based convolutional neural network (CNN) pipeline to detect 18 distinct crop diseases and stress conditions across rice, wheat, and cotton crops. Concurrently, vegetation indices (NDVI, NDRE, GNDVI, SAVI) are computed to generate prescription maps for site-specific fertilizer and pesticide application. Experimental evaluation on a 120 acre farm in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu over two crop seasons demonstrates a disease detection accuracy of 96.3%, early stress detection 8–12 days before visible symptoms, and a 31% reduction in agrochemical usage through variable-rate application. The system achieves an end-to-end field analysis time of under 45 minutes for 100 acres. Keywords — UAV, Precision Agriculture, Crop Disease Detection, Multi-Spectral Imaging, NDVI, YOLOv8, Deep Learning, Variable-Rate Application, Remote Sensing, Smart Farming.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsドローンのマルチスペクトル/RGB画像とYOLOv8を用いて作物の病害・ストレス状態を推定するシステムを開発し、精度と運用性能を評価しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractThis paper presents a Drone-Based Crop Health Analysis and Precision Agriculture System (DBCHAPS) that integrates multi-spectral and RGB imaging drones, deep learning-based crop disease detection, vegetation index analysis, variable-rate prescription mapping, and autonomous precision spraying.

Phenomics-derived temporal maize health and environmental index enhance physiology-informed genomic prediction of yield across environments. →

Integrating multi-omics data, including phenomic, genomic, and environmental inputs, offers a powerful approach for enhancing maize performance and predicting grain yield. In this study, crop health was quantified using temporal NGRDI (Normalized Green Red Difference Index) trajectories collected from 16 unoccupied (unmanned) aerial vehicle or system (UAV or UAS, drones and sensors) flights (from 19 to 117 d after planting) in maize trials conducted in Texas. Crop health indices (CHIs) were calculated through area under the curve (CHIAUC) and functional principal component analysis (CHIFPCA), capturing dynamic plant health responses throughout the growing season. Heritability estimates of NGRDI fluctuated between 0.3 and 0.7, averaging 0.51 ± 0.02, reflecting consistent genetic contributions to growth dynamics. CHIs derived from a favorable (irrigated) trial in Texas effectively separated high- and low-yielding hybrids across 41 environment-tester combinations, achieving significant differentiation in 27 (CHIAUC ) and 28 (CHIFPCA1) environments. In comparison, only 21 environments were differentiated when using grain yield alone. Genomic mapping of temporal NGRDI revealed key quantitative trait loci (QTLs) linked to maize growth, containing candidate genes including br2, phyC1, wus1, mads69, cct1, rap2, miR172, and gl15, associated with canopy development, flowering regulation, and drought adaptation. Integrating multi-omics data into phenomic- and environment-informed genomic prediction models improved yield prediction accuracy by approximately 18.5%, particularly for untested genotypes in both tested and untested environments. These findings demonstrate that multi-omics integration provides a scalable framework for enhancing maize performance and advancing grain yield prediction across diverse agricultural systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から時系列NGRDIを抽出し、作物健康・生育動態の表現型指標を構築して検証・予測に利用しており、フェノタイピング手法の適用が研究の中心的要素です。

abstractCrop health indices (CHIs) were calculated through area under the curve (CHIAUC) and functional principal component analysis (CHIFPCA), capturing dynamic plant health responses throughout the growing season.

Field Dataset Construction and Real-Time Object Detection for Strawberry Leaf Disease Monitoring in Drone-Based Precision Spraying →

Abstract has not been obtained from indexed metadata or an accessible article page.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイチゴ葉の病害状態を画像から検出するデータセット構築とリアルタイム手法が題名上の中心であり、植物病害フェノタイピングおよび評価基盤に該当する。

titleField Dataset Construction and Real-Time Object Detection for Strawberry Leaf Disease Monitoring in Drone-Based Precision Spraying

A physics-informed neural network for continuous rice canopy thermal monitoring and forecasting from sparse UAV observations →

Continuous monitoring of canopy temperature (Tc), a key indicator of crop water-heat stress and physiological dynamics, using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery is inherently limited by temporal discontinuity and the limited physical realism of purely data-driven models. This study develops a physics-informed neural network (PINN) framework to transform temporally sparse UAV thermal observations into continuous hourly rice Tc reconstruction and 48 h forecasting products. The model leverages sparse UAV thermal measurements as supervisory signals while integrating them with continuous meteorological forcing and daily UAV-derived crop phenotypic features. Validated through a comprehensive season-long rice field experiment using walk-forward cross-validation, the proposed PINN framework demonstrated superior performance. It achieved R 2 values of 0.92 for reconstruction and 0.90 for forecasting, with RMSE of 0.71 °C and 0.82 °C, respectively. Ablation analysis further showed that crop phenotypic variables contributed more strongly than temporal descriptors, reducing predictive uncertainty by approximately 4.8–14.3 %, while the integration of SEB physical constraints and uncertainty modeling improved R 2 by 8.4–9.5 % and reduced Total STD by 28.4–37.7 %. The model successfully captures diurnal dynamics, spatial variability, and canopy thermal hysteresis while maintaining physical consistency through improved energy closure. This framework bridges sparse aerial observations with continuous physiological monitoring and highlights its potential to support precision irrigation, early stress detection, and high-throughput phenotyping in smart agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV熱画像による疎な観測からイネ群落温度を連続再構成・予測するPINNを開発し、交差検証とアブレーション分析で性能評価しており、表現型取得・推定手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study develops a physics-informed neural network (PINN) framework to transform temporally sparse UAV thermal observations into continuous hourly rice Tc reconstruction and 48 h forecasting products.

A review: research progress on intelligent technologies for orchard yield monitoring →

Accurate yield estimation and crop load monitoring are essential for precision orchard management, supporting targeted fertilization, pruning, thinning, harvest planning, and marketing decisions. However, reliable in-situ monitoring remains challenging because commercial orchards are characterized by severe canopy occlusion, fruit overlap, heterogeneous tree architecture, variable illumination, and complex backgrounds. This review synthesizes advances in multi-modal sensing and deep learning for orchard yield estimation, breaking down the paradigm into intermediate fruit-counting or crop-load monitoring steps and supplementary spectral quality-assessment dimensions. First, yield-related indicators are summarized, including direct phenotypic traits such as fruit number, size, volume, and spatial distribution, as well as indirect structural and physiological proxies such as canopy volume, vegetation indices, flowering intensity, and spectral maturity attributes. Second, representative sensing devices and carrying platforms are reviewed, including red-green-blue (RGB) cameras, red-green-blue-depth (RGB-D) sensors, light detection and ranging (LiDAR), hyperspectral and multispectral systems, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Third, the evolution of estimation methods is discussed, from traditional image processing and machine learning to object detection, instance segmentation, multi-object tracking, point-cloud analysis, remote-sensing regression, and multi-modal fusion. The review shows that no single sensor or algorithm can satisfy all orchard monitoring requirements. Ground-based vision and depth sensing are more suitable for fine-scale fruit counting and sizing, whereas UAV and spectral sensing provide advantages for regional yield mapping and quality-enhanced assessment. Future research should emphasize occlusion-aware perception, robust cross-environment generalization, lightweight edge deployment, standardized benchmarks, and integrated quantity-quality monitoring frameworks for actionable crop load management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods果実数・サイズ・体積・空間分布などの植物形質を対象に、センシング機器と画像解析・深層学習による収量推定法を体系的にレビューしており、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractThis review synthesizes advances in multi-modal sensing and deep learning for orchard yield estimation, breaking down the paradigm into intermediate fruit-counting or crop-load monitoring steps and supplementary spectral quality-assessment dimensions.

Estimating Crop Nitrogen Uptake from UAV-Based Imagery Using Machine Learning Techniques →

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based remote sensing using high-throughput spectral imaging has emerged as an effective non-destructive alternative for large-scale agricultural monitoring. This study evaluates the performance of UAV-based multispectral (MSI) and hyperspectral (HSI) imaging combined with machine learning for estimating in-season nitrogen uptake in spring wheat and canola. Field trials were conducted at irrigated and non-irrigated sites in southern and central Alberta, Canada, respectively, over three growing seasons (2023–2025). Coincident with ground-truth tissue sampling, aerial imagery was collected and processed to train and validate six machine learning models, using ~520 matchups per crop. All models successfully estimated nitrogen uptake across years and locations, although performance varied by sensor and data types. For canola, ANN produced the highest MSI-based accuracy (R2 = 0.83, RMSE = 0.5%), whereas HSI data improved prediction performance, with SVR achieving the best results (R2 = 0.90, RMSE = 0.40%). In wheat, ANN yielded the highest accuracy for both MSI and HSI data (R2 = 0.77, RMSE = 0.54% for MSI; R2 = 0.8, RMSE = 0.48% for HSI). These findings demonstrate that UAV-based spectral imaging combined with machine learning provides a reliable and scalable approach for non-destructive nitrogen uptake estimation. Although MSI sensors produced strong predictive performance, the enhanced spectral resolution of HSI data consistently improved estimation accuracy for both crops across varied growing conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル・ハイパースペクトル画像と機械学習により、作物の窒素吸収量という植物形質を推定し、複数モデル・センサーの性能を評価しているため、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractThis study evaluates the performance of UAV-based multispectral (MSI) and hyperspectral (HSI) imaging combined with machine learning for estimating in-season nitrogen uptake in spring wheat and canola.

Multimodal Deep Learning for Tapioca Yield Prediction Using Field-Collected Sensor and Imagery Data →

Tapioca is a vital root crop whose yield is influenced by multiple environmental, soil, and physiological factors.Traditional yield estimation methods depend upon statistical models and manual sampling, which often lack real-time accuracy and are time-consuming and labour-intensive.The combination of Internet of Things (IoT) sensor networks and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)/satellite imagery, with deep learning (DL) models, gives a promising solution for accurate real-time yield prediction.In this study, sensor data (soil moisture, weather parameters, pH, NPK levels, temperature, and leaf chlorophyll content) are collected using devices like Davis Vantage Pro2, Decagon 5TE and SPAD-502, while image data are captured using DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral UAVs and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery.Pre-processing of sensor data involves missing value imputation, normalization, and feature selection using the Hybrid Frilled Lizard Osprey (HFLO) algorithm, while image data undergo resizing, augmentation, and filtering approach.Image based features are extracted by a position-attention DenseNet-201 model.Also, the features from image data and sensor data are fused using a concatenation mechanism.Finally, fully connected layers and improved support vector regression (ISVR) are used to identify the tapioca yield prediction.The integrated DL methods give higher accuracy than individual modalities for both modalities.The image-based model captures spatial and phenotypic variations, while the sensor-based model captures fine-grained environmental effects.The proposed approach obtained the MAE value of 0.0566, RMSE value of 0.654, and R 2 value of 99.5, demonstrating the potential of multimodal real-time data integration for precision agriculture in tapioca fields.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV・衛星画像と環境センサーを統合し、深層学習でキャッサバの収量という植物形質を推定する手法の開発が中心である。

abstractThe combination of Internet of Things (IoT) sensor networks and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)/satellite imagery, with deep learning (DL) models, gives a promising solution for accurate real-time yield prediction.

Drought tolerance classification using unmanned aerial systems based on RGB and multispectral data. →

Drought poses a global threat to food security and demands intensified efforts from breeding programs. Yet the lack of efficient methods for selecting this trait increases the cost and time required to develop new cultivars. The goal of this work was to assess the feasibility of using spectral data from RGB or multispectral sensors for drought-tolerance classification across various machine-learning models under the most practical cross-validation scenarios typical in breeding programs. The genotypes were assessed during trials conducted under either optimal (irrigated) or drought-stress conditions across two years, and evaluated using up to 10 field traits to determine their drought-tolerance classification based on membership function values related to drought. RGB and multispectral vegetation indices collected during several flights throughout the crop cycle were used to train machine learning models. We found that drought trials offer the best training data. Specificity was the metric most affected by sensor type and the nature of the training data. The multispectral sensor outperformed the RGB sensor on most evaluation metrics in both years. AdaBoost and linear discriminant analysis models demonstrated the strongest consistency across all prediction scenarios. Together, they achieved an overall accuracy, specificity, and F1-Score of 0.71, 0.56, and 0.77, respectively. The most influential vegetation indices for model performance consistently included the NIR band. Spectral information, such as vegetation indices, is a useful tool for plant researchers to complement drought tolerance evaluations in the field. This data-driven approach facilitates automation, paving the way to speed genetic gains by including early assessments of drought tolerance in breeding pipeline, and improves resource utilization efficiency.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUASのRGB・マルチスペクトルデータと機械学習を用いて干ばつ耐性を分類し、センサー比較や交差検証を行うことが研究の中心であるため、植物フェノタイピング手法として適格です。

abstractThe goal of this work was to assess the feasibility of using spectral data from RGB or multispectral sensors for drought-tolerance classification across various machine-learning models under the most practical cross-validation scenarios typical in breeding programs.

Genetic dissection of dynamic leaf area index variation in maize using UAV-based phenotyping and time-series genome-wide association studies →

Abstract The leaf area index (LAI) is a key determinant of canopy architecture and yield potential in maize, primarily through its influence on photosynthetic efficiency. Although unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has greatly advanced field-based phenotyping, its potential for deciphering the genetic mechanisms underlying dynamic and complex trait development remains underexplored. In this study, multispectral UAV images were collected from a diverse maize panel across eight developmental stages in four environments over two consecutive years. Using multi-temporal data, a random forest model accurately predicted LAI (R² = 0.82–0.83), significantly outperforming models based on single time-point data. By integrating high-throughput phenotypic predictions with time-series genome-wide association studies (GWAS), 36 dynamic SNPs associated with LAI variation were identified. Principal component analysis (PCA) of temporal LAI data revealed two principal components that together explained 84.2–86.5% of the total phenotypic variance. GWAS based on these components identified an additional 51 SNPs, seven of which overlapped between the two analytical approaches. Among the 72 candidate genes identified, Zm00001d048615 exhibited significant variation in both phenotype and expression among different inbred lines. The heterologous overexpression of Zm00001d048615 in Arabidopsis induced leaf curling and a significant reduction in leaf size, indicating its potential role in regulating leaf development. Collectively, these findings establish a robust framework that integrates UAV-based phenomics with temporal GWAS to identify key genes regulating complex dynamic traits. This approach provides valuable insights and genetic targets for improving maize canopy architecture and yield potential through molecular breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像と時系列データからLAIを推定するモデルを開発・評価し、高スループット表現型解析に中核的に用いているため。

abstractmultispectral UAV images were collected from a diverse maize panel across eight developmental stages in four environments over two consecutive years.

TDAVM-UNet: task-driven attention VM-UNet for crop disease detection from UAV imagery →

Crop diseases pose a serious threat to agricultural yield and global food security. Accurate detection using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) remote sensing imagery is of great significance for precision agriculture. However, this task remains challenging due to complex field backgrounds, diverse spectral-spatial characteristics of diseased leaf regions, irregular lesion boundaries, and variable texture patterns. To address these issues, this paper proposes a Task-Driven Attention VM-UNet (TDAVM-UNet), a novel deep learning model for crop disease detection from UAV imagery. The model integrates two task-driven attention modules: (1) Disease-Aware Dynamic Attention (DADA), which enhances the representation of diseased regions through disease feature enhancement, multi-scale dynamic channel attention, and texture-guided spatial attention; and (2) Channel-Spatial Visual State Space (CSVSS), which enables efficient long-range dependency modeling and local-global feature fusion while maintaining linear computational complexity. A hybrid loss strategy combining binary cross-entropy (BCE) loss, Dice loss, and cross-entropy (CE) loss with optimized coefficients is employed to address class imbalance and boundary delineation challenges. Extensive experiments are conducted on a self-constructed UAV crop disease unified mix dataset, comprising soybean disease images from Maharashtra, India, and rust disease images from wheat, corn, and other crops in Yangling, China, totaling 6,680 raw collected images, which after deduplication yields 5,000 images for experimentation. The results demonstrate that TDAVM-UNet achieves 26.87M parameters and 31.45 GFLOPs for 256×256 inputs, maintaining O(N) linear complexity (80% lower than TransUNet’s 156.78 GFLOPs), with 82.22% mIoU. This work provides a high-accuracy, robust, and computationally efficient method for UAV-based crop disease detection, offering significant technical support for precision agriculture applications.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から作物病害の病変領域・病害状態を推定する深層学習モデルを開発し、データセット上で性能評価しており、植物表現型取得・抽出手法が研究の中心である。

abstractthis paper proposes a Task-Driven Attention VM-UNet (TDAVM-UNet), a novel deep learning model for crop disease detection from UAV imagery.

Multimodal Deep Learning for Pest and Disease Recognition and Crop Growth Assessment in Open-Field Agricultural Environments →

Against the backdrop of the rapid development of smart agriculture, pest and disease monitoring and crop growth assessment for large-scale farmlands are of substantial importance for precision management and risk early warning. However, traditional unimodal visual methods are highly susceptible to illumination variation, canopy occlusion, scale differences, and background interference in real field environments, and thus fail to make full use of environmental sensing information and spatial priors. To address these issues, a multimodal target perception framework for intelligent farmland inspection is proposed in this study. By jointly integrating UAV imagery, time-series data from ground Internet of Things sensors, and spatial positional information, joint modeling of pest and disease recognition and crop growth assessment is achieved through cross-modal alignment and collaborative encoding, multi-scale target perception, and dynamic multimodal fusion and decision-making. Experimental results demonstrate that, in the pest and disease recognition task, the proposed method achieved a Precision of 91.63%, a Recall of 90.27%, an F1-score of 90.94%, and an mAP of 93.15%, significantly outperforming comparison models such as Faster R-CNN with ResNet50 backbone, YOLOv8-m, Swin Transformer-Tiny, and Multimodal Transformer. In the crop growth assessment task, an Accuracy of 89.96%, a Precision of 89.11%, a Recall of 88.74%, and a Macro-F1 of 88.92% were achieved, again clearly exceeding those of ResNet50, EfficientNet-B3, ViT-B/16, and conventional multimodal fusion models. The ablation study further verified the effectiveness of the cross-modal alignment module, the multi-scale target perception module, and the dynamic fusion module, with the complete model reaching 90.94%, 93.15%, and 88.92% in Pest F1, Pest mAP, and Growth Macro-F1, respectively. Furthermore, the net economic return regression experiment at the unit-area level further demonstrates that the proposed method can effectively connect state information with economic outcomes, showing strong application potential in return prediction, performance evaluation, and resource allocation optimization. These findings indicate that the proposed method can effectively improve perception accuracy and robustness in complex farmland environments, thereby providing reliable technical support for intelligent inspection, pest and disease early warning, and precision management in agricultural scenarios.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像、IoT時系列データ、空間情報を統合したマルチモーダル手法を開発し、作物生育状態の評価を技術的に検証している。害虫認識単独ではなく、植物の生育評価を含む取得・推定手法が中心である。

abstracta multimodal target perception framework for intelligent farmland inspection is proposed in this study.

UAV-Based Multi-Sensor Fusion for Leaf Age Detection in Maize Inbred Line Population Seedlings →

Accurate and rapid detection of maize seedling growth is critical in early breeding decisionmaking, smart management, and yield improvement. Traditional leaf age detection still relies heavily on labor-intensive and low-efficiency manual field surveys, underscoring the urgent need for high-throughput phenotyping. Integrating multisource sensor data from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with measured information such as crop height can further enhance the estimation accuracy of crop phenotypic parameters. Accurate field plot segmentation is critical for field-scale phenotypic analysis. However, current approaches remain largely dependent on slow, manual segmentation. Automating this step would greatly reduce the workload of agronomists. This study used UAV RGB and multispectral imagery collected over maize inbred line population plots before the canopy closure stage to perform automatic plot segmentation on field orthophotos and combined measured plant height with relative flight dates to achieve high-throughput detection of leaf age during the maize seedling stage. First, this study proposed a maize plot automatic segmentation method based on orthophotos. Then, it extracted texture features, RGB, and multispectral vegetation indices of each plot. Combined with relative flight date and plant height, four datasets were constructed. Support vector regression (SVR), random forest regression (RFR), and automatic machine learning (AutoML) regression algorithms were used to build the leaf age detection model. The results showed that the orthomosaic from March 23 achieved the best plot-segmentation performance, with minimum intersection over union (IoU), mean IoU, and IoU standard deviation of 14.67%, 96.47%, and 8.65%, respectively. Incorporating relative flight dates and plant-height measurements improved model performance, and the AutoML demonstrated the greatest robustness, achieving a validation R2 of up to 0.862 and an RMSE as low as 0.715. This study proposed a leaf age estimation method that offers practical technical support for field-based maize seedling assessment and reduces manual labor demands.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV RGB・マルチスペクトル画像、圃場区画 segmentation、特徴抽出、回帰モデルを統合し、トウモロコシの葉齢という植物形質を推定する方法を開発・評価しており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study used UAV RGB and multispectral imagery collected over maize inbred line population plots before the canopy closure stage to perform automatic plot segmentation on field orthophotos and combined measured plant height with relative flight dates to achieve high-throughput detection of leaf age during the maize seedling stage.

A comparison of single-photon lidar, conventional lidar, and digital aerial photogrammetry for area-based forest inventory →

Abstract More than 20 years have passed since forest management inventories were first implemented using discrete-return linear-mode lidar (LML) and the area-based approach (ABA). Among recent sensor innovations, single-photon lidar (SPL) stands out as a particularly promising technology for improving the cost efficiency of ABA. The main objective of this study was to assess the cost efficiency of ABA when reducing SPL point density by increasing flight altitude, thereby enabling larger area coverage. Three SPL datasets (10.1, 24.2, and 59.3 first returns/m2) were compared with two LML datasets (2.6 and 136.9 first returns/m2) and digital aerial photogrammetry (DAP) (61.3 points/m2). The analysis used 249 systematically distributed ground plots across various boreal forest types, and nonlinear models were constructed for basal area, stem density, volume, Lorey’s mean height, and dominant height. Model predictions were further validated using 530 independent plots aggregated to 47 stands. The results showed that SPL achieved model accuracies comparable to LML and consistently better than DAP. When averaging relative root mean square error (RMSE) across all biophysical attributes and forest types, SPL low-density data yielded smaller errors than low-density LML data and DAP in both cross-validation and independent stand validation. For example, in mature, highly productive forest—where more than half of the validation stands were located—the RMSE values for volume were 9.3, 8.7, 15.6, 6.4, 6.8, and 6.2% for LML low density, LML high density, DAP, SPL low density, SPL medium density, and SPL high density, respectively. Furthermore, SPL data collected at multiple flight altitudes indicate that operating above commonly reported in the literature and manufacturer-recommended heights can allow for up to a 30% reduction in flight distance while maintaining comparable model accuracy, although such gains may not translate into proportional cost reductions due to technical and atmospheric constraints limiting suitable flight conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods森林プロットの生物物理形質を推定する複数のLiDAR・写真測量法を比較し、独立データで精度検証しているため、センサーに基づく植物形質計測法の検証が中心である。

titleA comparison of single-photon lidar, conventional lidar, and digital aerial photogrammetry for area-based forest inventory

UAV-Based Assessment of Pre- and Post-Harvest Water Stress Dynamics in Vineyards Using NDRE and GNDVI Spectral Responses →

Abstract Climate change and increasing drought frequency are intensifying water stress risks in viticultural systems, particularly in semi-arid regions where water availability directly influences grapevine productivity and quality. This study investigated pre-harvest and post-harvest water stress dynamics in a commercial Ağın Beyazı vineyard located in Eastern Türkiye using UAV-based multispectral imagery. High-resolution orthomosaics (2.31 cm pixel⁻¹) were acquired with a DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral platform and used to generate Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI) and Normalized Difference Red Edge Index (NDRE) maps for both phenological periods. Water stress responses were evaluated through pixel-based change detection, descriptive statistics, spatial heterogeneity metrics (Local Mean and Local Standard Deviation), and Global Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation analysis. Results revealed measurable spectral differences between pre-harvest and post-harvest periods, indicating changes in canopy physiological activity associated with water stress and post-harvest vine responses. GNDVI exhibited a higher relative change (+ 10.49%) and stronger standardized response ratio, suggesting greater sensitivity to overall canopy vigor and photosynthetic activity. In contrast, NDRE showed the highest heterogeneity response (+ 64.97%), demonstrating superior capability for identifying localized stress variability and fine-scale physiological differences within the vineyard. Spatial heterogeneity analyses indicated increasing local variability after harvest, while consistently positive Moran’s I values (≈ 0.257) revealed that stress patterns remained spatially organized rather than randomly distributed. These findings suggest that vineyard water stress is controlled not only by vine physiology but also by persistent spatial factors such as soil conditions, micro-topography, and water availability. Overall, the combined use of GNDVI and NDRE provided complementary information for vineyard water stress assessment. The proposed framework demonstrates the potential of UAV-based multispectral monitoring for precision irrigation management, early stress detection, and climate-resilient viticulture in water-limited environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像からGNDVI・NDREを抽出し、ブドウ樹の水ストレスと空間変動を評価する測定・解析フレームワークが研究の中心である。

abstractThis study investigated pre-harvest and post-harvest water stress dynamics in a commercial Ağın Beyazı vineyard located in Eastern Türkiye using UAV-based multispectral imagery.

An automated unmanned aerial vehicle framework for non-destructive soybean leaf morphology extraction using a structure-adaptive deep learning model →

Soybean leaf morphology is an important breeding trait that requires large-scale phenotyping in commercial breeding programs. Conventional leaf phenotyping still relies on manual destructive measurements, which are labor-intensive and inefficient. Low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as a high-throughput phenotyping platform, but the retrieval of leaf morphology in densely occluded canopies remains challenging due to complex canopy backgrounds, illumination heterogeneity, and leaf overlap under field conditions. To address this issue, this study developed an integrated UAV framework that couples a YOLOv10-based leaf detection module, a novel structure-adaptive segmentation network (DynamicU), and a regression-based trait prediction model for retrieving a set of leaf morphological parameters across 273 soybean genotypes under field conditions. The YOLOv10 detector reliably localized individual leaves under complex canopy conditions, achieving a mean average precision (mAP@50) of 0.84. Subsequently, the DynamicU network, whose architecture was automatically optimized via Emperor Penguin Optimization, achieved a segmentation accuracy of 97.2% and a mean Intersection over Union of 93.8%, substantially outperforming conventional models. Using random forest regression, the framework retrieved relative leaf shape traits, including length-to-width ratio and dissection index, with markedly higher accuracy (R 2 =0.97), compared to absolute morphological traits, including leaf length, width, perimeter, and area (R 2 : 0.76–0.84). Notably, relative leaf shape traits showed positive associations with oil yield per plant and protein yield per plant, supporting their potential as complementary indicators for screening soybean germplasm with differential industrial product output. This end-to-end framework establishes a reliable bridge between UAV remote sensing and leaf-level morphological quantification, advancing high-throughput phenotyping capabilities to support precision breeding in soybean.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像、葉検出・セグメンテーション・回帰モデルを統合し、圃場でダイズ葉形態を自動定量するフレームワークの開発と性能評価が研究の中心であるため。

abstractthis study developed an integrated UAV framework that couples a YOLOv10-based leaf detection module, a novel structure-adaptive segmentation network (DynamicU), and a regression-based trait prediction model for retrieving a set of leaf morphological parameters across 273 soybean genotypes under field conditions.

Multi‐Vine Disease Prediction in a Field Test Spanning Whole Growth Season at Wine‐Industrial Site (McLaren Vale) →

ABSTRACT Against the backdrop of increasing climate variability and rising disease pressure, vineyard disease monitoring that relies solely on manual scouting often suffers from low efficiency, subjectivity, and delayed response. Vineyard disease management involves complex climate–pathogen–crop interactions, where fixed spray calendars fail to capture these interactions. This study was conducted in a commercial, vineyard in McLaren Vale, Australia, and implemented a digital twin (DT) supported by multi‐source monitoring across the 2025 growing season, from budburst (2 September 2025; later than usual) through flowering (12 November 2025; colder‐than‐average spring). A total of five image acquisition events were conducted using fixed cameras and drone surveys. In addition, continuous data from soil sensors and weather stations (temperature, humidity, and rainfall) were also recorded, providing ongoing environmental information. Soil sensing indicated near‐neutral conditions (pH ≈ 7), while soil moisture at 20 cm depth varied between 30% and 50%. The prediction model adopts a convolutional neural network (CNN) to perform multi‐class classification across four states: black rot, black measles (Esca‐related symptoms), leaf blight, and healthy. The results show that the model achieves strong classification performance on the test set (accuracy = 0.99). Error‐based evaluation of the model outputs further indicates stable predictions (mean squared error [MSE] = 0.0004, root mean squared error [RMSE] = 0.0197, coefficient of determination [ R 2 ] = 0.998). To verify the field deployment capability, we deployed the grape‐leaf disease prediction model and applied it to automatically process in‐field leaf images, producing a predicted disease label and confidence score for each leaf/leaf group. Across four drone surveys, the tile‐based CNN aggregation revealed a clear shift in dominant risk signals: Esca severity rose steadily from about 17% in the first survey to about 62% in the final survey, whereas black rot severity stayed low, starting near 0% and briefly peaking around 14% before dropping to roughly 5% thereafter. Leaf blight severity was highest at the start at approximately 47%, then decreased to around 19% and subsequently fluctuated between roughly 21% and 31%. Overall, the findings provide reliable evidence for block‐level disease early warning, inspection prioritisation, and spray decision‐making, helping to reduce unnecessary inputs, lower environmental burdens, and improve the resilience and sustainability of vineyard production systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsブドウ葉の画像から病害状態・重症度をCNNで推定し、固定カメラとドローンによる圃場展開および性能評価まで行っており、植物表現型取得・抽出法が中心である。

abstractThe prediction model adopts a convolutional neural network (CNN) to perform multi‐class classification across four states: black rot, black measles (Esca‐related symptoms), leaf blight, and healthy.

Spatiotemporal Canopy Temperature Forecasting for Precision Irrigation Management →

Abstract Canopy temperature (Tc) is a critical physiological indicator of water and heat stress in cotton. Although weather-driven Tc forecasting is used by 60% of Australian cotton growers for irrigation scheduling, current methods typically rely on a single in situ sensor to represent an entire management area. This uniform assumption overlooks substantial spatial variability in Tc and can lead to suboptimal water application. We propose UAV-linear, a novel spatio-temporal forecasting model that integrates high-accuracy in-situ sensors with weekly Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) thermal imagery to generate high-resolution hourly spatial Tc forecasts. Experimental results show that UAV-linear forecast stress conditions at unmeasured locations as effectively as models trained on exhaustive historical data, achieving a 25-35% improvement over the standard uniform-forecast assumption. Furthermore, in a large-scale validation across 50,000 hectares of commercially active farms (practical dataset), UAV-linear improved stress-hour prediction by 22% relative to the uniform assumption while maintaining accuracy comparable to historical benchmarks. These findings show that the proposed spatio-temporal framework provides the spatial detail needed for differentiated precision management, with potential to improve crop yield and water-use efficiency.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods綿花のキャノピー温度という植物の生理状態を、UAV熱画像とセンサーから推定・予測する手法を開発し、大規模に検証しているため、灌漑管理への応用でもフェノタイピング手法が中心です。

abstractWe propose UAV-linear, a novel spatio-temporal forecasting model that integrates high-accuracy in-situ sensors with weekly Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) thermal imagery to generate high-resolution hourly spatial Tc forecasts.

Multi-task Deep Learning Pipeline for Rice Field Classification and Growth Monitoring Using Drone Imagery →

A booming population around the world raises the concern of shortages of food resources in this new era. Thus, monitoring and managing crop production is extremely essential, especially rice crops, as they are the fundamental food source for most countries. Several challenges need to be addressed in this case, such as the classification of farmland from various land usages, precise monitoring of rice seedlings, and segmentation of rice growth. By leveraging advanced technologies such as drone imagery and machine learning, this paper proposed a new integrated pipeline for rice field classification and growth monitoring: a combination of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), You Only Look Once (YOLO), and modified U-Net models. These models were used in stages, specifically for paddy field classification, rice seedling detection, and rice growth segmentation. Substantial measurements and analysis have been carried out to verify the performance of the proposed system, including an accuracy of at least 85%, low classification/segmentation loss below 0.35, and high detection recall above 0.9. Thus, the findings highlight how combining different machine learning models with aerial photography can revolutionise conventional farming methods for better efficacy.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsドローン画像とCNN・YOLO・改良U-Netを統合し、イネ苗の検出および生育セグメンテーションを行う技術パイプラインが中心で、性能検証も実施している。農地分類は除外対象になり得るが、植物の生育状態を直接抽出する手法部分が十分に実質的である。

abstractThese models were used in stages, specifically for paddy field classification, rice seedling detection, and rice growth segmentation.

A scalable framework for UAV-based point cloud reconstruction and organ segmentation of field-grown cotton in complex field environments →

Accurate characterization of plant 3D architecture and semantic parsing of key cotton organs represent an essential prerequisite for crop phenotyping, precision field management, and cultivar breeding and selection. However, the overall 3D structure of field-grown cotton plants is highly complex in field environments. The morphological traits and spatial distribution of various organs are modulated by multiple factors including genetics, environmental conditions, and cultivation management practices, resulting in pronounced phenotypic variation under field conditions. Thus, this study proposed an integrated technical framework for UAV-based 3D reconstruction and organ semantic segmentation tailored for field-grown cotton. High-fidelity 3D point clouds of the crop canopy are generated by coupling an field-adapted low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) acquisition strategy with neural radiance fields (NeRF). Despite these attractive characteristics, segmenting and analyzing such intricate point clouds can be quite challenging. To effectively parse these complex geometric structures, a novel deep learning architecture named FieldCotSeg-Net is introduced. This model integrates an Anisotropy-aware Local Attention (ALA) module and a Hierarchical Feature Refinement Gate (HFRG) module to capture fine-grained features for precise point cloud segmentation. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves outstanding performance on both the Huaxing3Dcot and Crops3D cotton datasets. On the Huaxing3Dcot dataset, the model yields a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 75.7%, representing a 4.5% improvement over the baseline model. On the Crops3D cotton dataset, after retraining the model on this dataset, it attains an mIoU of 74.5%, showing substantial adaptability and effectiveness in organ segmentation. This technical system provides a scalable and robust solution for field cotton phenotyping analysis in breeding research and commercial production.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods綿花の圃場表現型解析を目的に、UAVによる3D再構成と器官セグメンテーション手法を開発・評価しており、植物形態の取得が研究の中心である。

abstractThis technical system provides a scalable and robust solution for field cotton phenotyping analysis in breeding research and commercial production.

Interpretable machine learning and causal inference for maize LAI estimation from UAV multimodal imagery →

Accurate retrieval of leaf area index (LAI) is vital for crop monitoring and genetic breeding. Although multi-modal unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing has advanced LAI estimation, conventional empirical models often overfit on small breeding populations and cannot disentangle the true causal effects of genetic backgrounds from confounding factors within a statistically rigorous framework. This study presents a robust framework for plot-scale maize LAI estimation across 800 breeding plots from four genetic subgroups: doubled haploid (DH), mixed, temperate (TEM), and tropical/subtropical (TST). From UAV RGB and multispectral imagery acquired at three phenological stages, we extracted 76 multi-modal features comprising point-cloud structural metrics, spectral vegetation indices, and texture features. Following a dual-criterion mutual information and multicollinearity filter, four algorithms, including traditional tree-ensembles and the Tabular Prior-data Fitted Network (TabPFN), were evaluated using nested validation. TabPFN achieved superior generalization performance, yielding a mean test R2 of 0.778 ± 0.031, an RMSE of 0.264 ± 0.024, and an MAE of 0.203 ± 0.022, significantly outperforming tree-ensemble models (p < 0.01). Across growth stages, retrieval accuracy peaked at the expanded bell-mouth stage (R2 = 0.802) and successfully captured the unimodal trajectory of canopy development. SHAP-based attribution showed that spectral indices contributed most to the predictions (55.9%), followed by canopy texture (26.3%), with the spatial heterogeneity metric Tex_Entropy being the most influential single feature (22.8%). When embedded as the nuisance estimator within a Double Machine Learning framework for causal inference, TabPFN confirmed that, relative to the TEM subgroup, only the DH genetic background exerted a consistent and significant negative causal effect on LAI (ATE = −0.070, p = 0.030). These results establish TabPFN as a reliable and extensible tool for non-invasive, high-throughput phenotyping in precision breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチモーダル画像からトウモロコシLAIを推定する計算・画像解析ワークフローを開発・比較検証し、高スループット表現型解析への応用を示しているため、方法が中心的である。

abstractThis study presents a robust framework for plot-scale maize LAI estimation across 800 breeding plots from four genetic subgroups

Integration of remote sensing and artificial intelligence for carbon quantification in macauba palm trees →

Accurate measurement of carbon is stored in plants is essential for evaluating strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The macauba palm (Acrocomia aculeata) is a native species of South America with high potential for oil production, ecological restoration, and carbon sequestration. Traditional methods to estimate carbon stocks, such as cutting down trees and performing laboratory analysis, are destructive, expensive, and impractical on a large scale. This study tested an alternative approach that combines UAV imagery, computer vision, and artificial intelligence to estimate carbon in macauba palms without damaging the plants. High-resolution aerial images were collected at four sites in Brazil, and a deep learning model (YOLOv8s-seg) was trained to automatically detect and measure palm crowns, achieving a mean Average Precision (mAP@50) of 0.956, precision of 0.946, and recall of 0.944. Plant height was estimated from canopy height models derived from photogrammetric processing of the UAV imagery. Crown diameter and height estimates showed strong correlations with field measurements (r = 0.81 and r = 0.82, respectively), with mean absolute errors of 0.26 m for diameter and 0.61 m for height. Both parameters were used in allometric equations to calculate carbon stock. Carbon estimates ranged from less than 1 ton per hectare in young plantations to more than 190 tonnes per hectare in older stands. These results demonstrate that artificial intelligence and UAV imagery provide a fast and scalable approach for estimating structural variables of macauba palms. However, carbon stock estimates remain sensitive to the allometric equations used and should be interpreted with caution, particularly at the individual level. Therefore, the proposed approach should be understood as a non-destructive monitoring framework rather than a fully generalized carbon prediction model, while still offering a valuable tool to support sustainable agriculture, carbon markets, and land-use policies.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像、コンピュータビジョン、深層学習を用いてヤシの樹冠径・樹高を自動推定し、現地測定と比較検証している。植物の構造形質取得と炭素量推定の技術が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study tested an alternative approach that combines UAV imagery, computer vision, and artificial intelligence to estimate carbon in macauba palms without damaging the plants.

Next-Generation Crop Breeding: Harnessing Genomics, Phenomics and Machine Learning: A Review →

Global food security requires crop improvement strategies that can respond to population growth, climate variability and increasing constraints on agricultural resources. Conventional plant breeding has contributed substantially to crop productivity, yet long selection cycles and dependence on extensive field evaluation can limit the rate of genetic gain. This review synthesises advances in genomics, phenomics and machine learning for next-generation crop breeding, with emphasis on their combined contribution to selection accuracy and breeding efficiency. Key genomic approaches discussed include whole-genome sequencing, reference and pan-genome resources, genome-wide association studies, genomic selection and CRISPR-Cas-based genome editing. The review also examines high-throughput phenotyping platforms, including controlled-environment systems, ground-based robots, UAV-based remote sensing and root phenotyping tools. Machine learning approaches, ranging from random forest and support vector machines to convolutional neural networks, recurrent networks, transformers and explainable artificial intelligence, are considered in relation to genomic prediction, image analysis and breeding decision support. Multi-omics integration, data management, FAIR principles and an integrated genomics-phenomics-ML breeding pipeline are reviewed as enabling components for practical deployment. Crop-specific examples from wheat, rice, maize, soybean and legumes illustrate the potential and constraints of these technologies. The review further identifies key challenges, including phenotyping bottlenecks, genotype-environment interaction, data governance, model interpretability and regulatory uncertainty.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物フェノタイピング手法を中心に、ハイスループット計測プラットフォーム、画像解析、機械学習、UAV・ロボット・根系計測などをレビューしているため。

abstractThis review synthesises advances in genomics, phenomics and machine learning for next-generation crop breeding

HSDHA: hybrid sparse-dense hierarchical attention for lightweight transformer-based UAV plant phenotyping →

Abstract has not been obtained from indexed metadata or an accessible article page.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsタイトルがUAV植物フェノタイピング向け軽量Transformer手法の開発を明示しており、植物表現型の画像解析法が中心と判断できる。

titleHSDHA: hybrid sparse-dense hierarchical attention for lightweight transformer-based UAV plant phenotyping

Integrating UAV-based dynamic phenotyping and GWAS to decipher the genetic basis of cotton defoliation →

Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a critical economic crop, yet the efficiency of mechanized harvesting is heavily contingent upon effective pre-harvest defoliation. Traditional manual assessment of defoliation is labor-intensive and subjective, posing a significant bottleneck for large-scale genetic dissection of this dynamic trait. In this study, we established an integrated “high-throughput phenotyping-to-gene discovery” framework by utilizing UAV-based multispectral imaging to monitor 306 cotton cultivars across 4 environments. A Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) model was optimized to accurately estimate Leaf Area Index (LAI), and Gaussian curve fitting was employed to standardize LAI time series (ΔLAI) into a comparable dynamic phenotypic dataset. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on these dynamic phenotypes identified 472 significant SNPs and 39 candidate genes. By integrating GWAS signals with transcriptome profiling of the petiole abscission zone and haplotype analysis, we identified 3 core regulatory genes: Ghi_A01G08401 (GhPIN3a), Ghi_D08G10716, and Ghi_D11G03091. Functional validation via virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and qRT-PCR demonstrated that Ghi_D08G10716 (encoding oxalyl-CoA synthetase) and Ghi_D11G03091 (encoding a VQ motif-containing protein) act as negative regulators in the defoliation process. These results provide a scalable technical paradigm and critical genetic resources for the precision breeding of cotton cultivars optimized for mechanized harvesting.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像からLAIを推定し、時系列を動的表現型データへ変換する高スループット表現型解析手法が研究の中心であり、GWASへの実質的適用も行っている。

abstractwe established an integrated “high-throughput phenotyping-to-gene discovery” framework by utilizing UAV-based multispectral imaging to monitor 306 cotton cultivars across 4 environments.

AI-based UAV pest and disease detection: Time for a reset? →

Remote sensing using uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and AI, particularly machine learning and deep learning, is increasingly applied to crop pest and disease detection. However, the real-world robustness of these models remains uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis of 121 UAV-based studies published between 2018 and 2024, examining dataset construction and model validation practices. We found that 89% of studies lacked truly independent test datasets, resulting in inflated performance estimates and limited generalisability. Only 11% evaluated models on independent fields, and successful transferability was uncommon. Our analysis identifies key methodological limitations underlying this issue and provides recommendations to improve robustness, reproducibility, and practical relevance. Overall, current validation practices require substantial improvement to ensure reported model performance reflects field-level applicability.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV・AIによる作物の病害検出手法を対象に、121研究のデータセット構築とモデル検証をメタ分析し、独立圃場での性能や再現性を評価する方法論的レビューである。病害検出は植物の病態・重症度に関わるため、手法中心の研究として採用する。

abstractWe conducted a meta-analysis of 121 UAV-based studies published between 2018 and 2024, examining dataset construction and model validation practices.

Estimation of Seaweed Biomass in Shallow Coastal Waters Using UAV Bathymetric LiDAR and Automated 3D Point Cloud Segmentation →

Accurate and wide-area estimation of seaweed biomass is essential for evaluating blue carbon. Conventional diver surveys and two-dimensional (2D) aerial imagery analysis face challenges such as intensive labor and biomass underestimation. While Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-based Light Detection and Ranging (UAV-LiDAR) provides dense 3D spatial data, classifying point clouds in extremely shallow coastal waters with dense kelp and artificial structures remains difficult. This study establishes a high-accuracy biomass estimation method using UAV-LiDAR and PointNet. A heuristic hybrid filtering approach combining physical constraints and local statistics was developed to automatically generate high-quality reference data. The trained PointNet successfully segmented complex point clouds into four classes with an overall accuracy of 94.2%. To calculate biomass, we introduced a volume correction model based on point cloud density (coverage) to mitigate overestimation caused by internal canopy gaps. This correction yielded estimated wet weights nearly identical to the in situ measurements (an approximate 3% difference), confirming highly accurate biomass reproduction. Furthermore, while the conventional 2D maximum likelihood method underestimated total biomass, our 3D point cloud analysis successfully quantified the dense, overlapping canopy. This framework significantly improves the efficiency and accuracy of blue carbon monitoring.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV-LiDARとPointNetによる海藻の3D点群分割および biomass 推定手法を開発・検証しており、植物体のバイオマスという形質の取得が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study establishes a high-accuracy biomass estimation method using UAV-LiDAR and PointNet.

Non-destructive yield estimation of onion and garlic using UAV-based hyperspectral imaging and hybrid machine learning models. →

Background Accurate pre-harvest yield estimation of underground bulb crops such as onion and garlic is important for precision agriculture, harvest planning, and food-security-oriented decision-making. However, their harvestable organs develop below ground and cannot be directly observed using conventional remote sensing methods. This study aimed to develop a non-destructive yield estimation framework by integrating UAV-based hyperspectral imaging with hybrid machine learning models. Method Field experiments were conducted in Muan-gun, Korea, using onion and garlic as representative underground bulb crops. UAV-based hyperspectral images, crop growth traits, and destructive live bulb weight measurements were collected during the growing period. Hyperspectral images were processed through geometric correction, radiometric correction, and Savitzky-Golay spectral smoothing. Three dimensionality reduction methods, including genetic algorithm (GA), principal component analysis (PCA), and clustering, were used to reduce spectral redundancy. Five prediction models, including random forest (RF), XGBoost, partial least squares regression (PLSR), multilayer perceptron (MLP), and residual network (ResNet), were then evaluated for live bulb weight prediction. Result Significant spectral differences were observed in the 550-680 nm and 730-800 nm bands, which were closely associated with crop yield and below-ground bulb development. GA was the most effective feature selection method for extracting yield-related spectral bands. For onion yield prediction, the GA + RF model achieved the highest predictive accuracy, with an R 2 of 0.9656 and an NRMSE of 18.55%. For garlic yield prediction, PLSR showed the best performance, with an R 2 of 0.9260 and an NRMSE of 27.20%. Conclusion The proposed UAV-based hyperspectral framework enables accurate, real-time, and non-destructive yield estimation for underground bulb crops. This approach reduces reliance on labor-intensive destructive sampling and provides a practical tool for precision crop monitoring and data-driven agricultural management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVハイパースペクトル画像と機械学習による地下球根の収量（生体球重）推定フレームワークの開発・比較評価が研究の中心であり、植物形質の取得・推定手法に該当する。

abstractThis study aimed to develop a non-destructive yield estimation framework by integrating UAV-based hyperspectral imaging with hybrid machine learning models.

Editorial: Plant phenotyping for agriculture →

Modern agriculture operates at an unprecedented crossroads, it must simultaneously accelerate crop yields to feed an expanding global population and adapt to the severe, fluctuating pressures of climate change, structural soil degradation, abiotic water deficits, and evolving biological threats. Historically, selecting resilient crop varieties and implementing field-scale management strategies relied extensively on destructive, labor-intensive, and fundamentally subjective visual metrics. This manual processing approach has long been recognized as the primary operational bottleneck in agricultural advancement.To bridge the gap between rapidly expanding genomic data and actual field performance, the systematic, non-destructive quantification of structural and functional plant traits, plant phenotyping, has emerged as a transformative frontier. By integrating high-throughput engineering, multi-scale remote sensing, deep learning, and advanced molecular biology, modern phenotyping transitions crop science away from qualitative estimation toward highly reproducible, multidimensional data frameworks. This Research Topic presents new advances in advanced 3D reconstruction and deep semantic segmentation at the seedling stage; amodal fruit segmentation, morphological extraction, and early water-stress diagnostics; high-throughput in-field seedling counting and dynamic density modeling; multimodal foundation models, network pruning, and intelligent phytoprotection; aerial and spaceborne remote sensing for canopy analysis and weed monitoring; plant physiology, functional spectroscopy, and functional genomics under abiotic stress; and automated diagnostics for real-time orchard scouting and vineyard management.Automating the characterization of complex spatial layouts under controlled or greenhouse environments is essential for early variety selection and early-stage structural evaluation. Several contributions within this volume provide key breakthroughs in navigating overlapping tissues, severe occlusions, and low-contrast edge regions. showcases how substituting standard convolutions with deformable convolutions enables deep neural networks to accurately isolate the main stem of mature, high-density crops like soybeans. This architecture overcomes the traditional challenges of color mimicry and severe occlusion by pods and leaves, achieving an outstanding mIoU of 90.58% and providing reliable indices for lodging resistance and structural yield modeling (R 2 = 0.9746).Accurately extracting fruit morphology under commercial greenhouse conditions remains heavily constrained by overlapping crop structures, foliage cover, and variable shadows. Simple semantic masks typically fail when a target fruit is partially blocked, leading to a loss of key volumetric data.To resolve the challenge of hidden boundaries, Li, Yin, et al. (2025) developed CGA-ASNet, a specialized RGB-D amodal segmentation network driven by a Contextual and Global Attention (CGA) module designed to restore occluded tomato regions. Trained on a high-fidelity synthetic greenhouse dataset (Tomato-sim) generated via NVIDIA Isaac Sim's Replicator Composer and optimized with a mean coordinate fusion algorithm for real-world validation, this architecture expands the network's receptive field to predict the complete, hidden circular forms of occluded tomatoes, achieving an F@0.75 score of 94.2 and an amodal mIoU of 82.4%. This proves that simulation-to-real (Sim2Real) domain pathways can successfully decode full physical volumes under dense commercial canopies.Complementing this structural restoration, Yang, Li, et al. (2025) designed an integrated diagnostic framework to identify early water stress dynamics in greenhouse tomatoes. Built upon an optimized YOLOv11n core, their system integrates adaptive kernel convolutions (AKConv) into the network backbone's C3k2 modules and implements a recalibration feature pyramid detection head based on the specialized P2 small-target layer. This combination achieved a 5.4% increase in mAP50-95 for identifying fine phenotypic parts. By applying automated geometric analysis to the extracted bounding boxes, the system extracts plant heights and petiole count with low relative errors, feeding these phenotypic parameters into a Random Forest classification routine that flags water-stressed plants with 98% accuracy to guide targeted, automated drip irrigation.Accurate plant stands during early vegetative stages represent the foundational metric required to establish true field emergence rates, validate seed vigor across diverse breeding blocks, and perform early yield predictions.To solve the challenges of small targets, extreme spatial density, and adjacent leaf overlap, Zang et al. (2025) designed DM_IOC_fpn, a wheat seedling counting framework that balances local and global contextual features. By structuring a point-annotated dataset and embedding a densityenhanced encoder module, their network balances micro-scale spatial limits with macro-scale canopy structures. Optimized through a combined loss function tracking counting, classification, and regression parameters, this architecture achieved low error scores (RMSE = 2.91; MAE = 2.23), outperforming standard object-detection benchmarks in complex field environments.At the same time, scaling up to real-time aerial monitoring required major reductions in model complexity to support resource-constrained edge computers on autonomous aerial platforms. Feng, Nie, and Li (2025) engineered an ultra-lightweight YOLOv8n variant tailored for real-time maize seedling counting from high-speed UAV RGB overflights. By reparametrizing RepConv with HGNetV2, they constructed a lean Rep_HGNetV2 backbone, integrated a Bidirectional Feature Pyramid Network (BiFPN) for multi-scale feature alignment, and implemented a Task Dynamically Aligned Detection Head (TDADH). This architecture compressed total model parameters by 47% and reduced weight sizes to 3.5 MB while maintaining a 96.5% detection accuracy and an ultra-fast processing speed of 146.3 FPS, paving the way for low-cost, real-time field scouting.Automated phytoprotection requires machine-vision architectures capable of generalizing across highly diverse species, complex field conditions, and varying computational boundaries. A significant subset of the published papers addresses these challenges through foundation model adaptation, multi-modal alignment, and efficient network compression.A major paradigm shift presented in this collection involves moving away from task-specific training and toward foundation model adaptation. Chen, Ruan, et al. (2026) introduce a novel architecture integrating the DinoV3 foundation model with a Unet framework to achieve robust leaf lesion segmentation across diverse species (such as coffee and black gram). By incorporating a Spatial Prior Module (SPM), their approach surpassed standard benchmark networks by over 10.5% in IoU while reducing inference times by approximately 93.6%, demonstrating that highparameter foundation models can be highly optimized for resource-constrained edge devices in real-time scouting.To solve the perennial problem of limited training data for rare or emerging crop diseases, Cooper et al. ( 2026) developed an ingenious synthetic data generation pipeline. Combining 3D procedural leaf modeling in Blender with diffusion-based disease synthesis (Stable Diffusion fine-tuned with LoRA and ControlNet), they synthesized highly accurate plant disease images with perfect groundtruth annotation masks. When deployed in low-resource data settings, combining these synthetic pipelines with restricted real-world datasets consistently drives significant improvements in downstream segmentation tasks. To tackle specific, complex pathologies, Xu, Chang, et al. (2025) developed the TSSC deep learning model, which embeds three-neighbor channel attention paired with a complementary squeeze-and-excitation mechanism. This specific architecture minimizes structural degradation risks while pushing classification accuracy to 99.61% for highly complex pea leaf pathologies. Similarly, Feng, Liu, et al. (2025) tackled overlapping leaf occlusions and small lesion footprints in citrus groves with YOLO-Citrus, an optimized framework integrating C3K2-STA, ADown modules, and a Wise-Inner-MPDIoU loss function to strike a balance between edge computational constraints and field deployment.UAVs and high-resolution satellite imagery have expanded the operational scale of phenotyping from individual pots to vast breeding blocks and commercial fields, allowing researchers to capture macro-dynamic parameters over time.In complex canopy systems that defy standard top-down aerial sensing, such as single-staked white Guinea yams, Iseki et al. (2026) demonstrated the distinct advantage of utilizing multi-angle (combined nadir and oblique) UAV imaging configurations. When coupled with support vector regression, this method captures complementary canopy-structure information to model shoot biomass trajectories (R 2 = 0.79) across multiple years and management zones. These nondestructive, time-series datasets enabled the fitting of genotype-specific Richard's growth curves using Bayesian inference, isolating valuable genetic variations in early growth allocation.To capture full-season vertical physiological changes over large scales, Li, Yue, and Luo (2025) developed a hybrid CNN-LSTM-Attention (CLA) model designed to estimate the full-period Leaf Area Index (LAI) in rice using multi-temporal UAV multispectral imagery. By using the CNN layer to extract instantaneous spatial features, the LSTM block to process seasonal time-series intervals, and a self-attention mechanism to weight critical growth transitions, their platform achieved a high coefficient of determination (R 2 = 0.92) and kept relative root mean square errors (RRMSE) below 9%. This network minimized soil background noise during early vegetative stages (LAI values 1-

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物フェノタイピングの技術動向を扱うEditorialであり、画像解析、UAVセンシング、深層学習、形質抽出などの方法が中心的に整理されている。

titleEditorial: Plant phenotyping for agriculture

Bridging Magnetic Field Agriculture and UAV-Based Precision Monitoring: A Systematic Review and Framework for Field-Scale Validation →

Magnetic field (MF) technologies have been applied in agriculture for decades. However, they have not achieved mainstream adoption, partly because no validated methodology exists for evaluating their effects under realistic field conditions. UAV-based multispectral sensing represents a potential pathway to address this limitation: by providing spatially explicit, non-destructive estimates of key canopy physiological variables at field scale, it could provide the monitoring infrastructure through which MF treatment responses are, for the first time, systematically evaluated and validated under open-field conditions. To exploit this complementarity, however, a common evidential ground must first be established, identifying which crop physiological variables are both consistently modulated by MF treatments and reliably detectable by UAV remote sensing. This study addressed this challenge through a dual-stream systematic review of 216 peer-reviewed publications, comprising 102 studies on MF treatments in agricultural crops and 114 studies on UAV-based multispectral monitoring. Evidence from both research domains was synthesised to identify physiological variables that are simultaneously responsive to MF treatments and detectable through UAV remote sensing. Five direct bridge variables were identified: chlorophyll content, nitrogen use efficiency/nitrogen assimilation, above-ground biomass, leaf area index, and yield. Chlorophyll content emerged as the strongest bridge variable, combining consistent MF responsiveness with UAV estimation accuracies of up to R² = 0.90. Based on these findings, a conceptual framework was developed linking MF treatments, UAV-derived vegetation indices, ground-truth measurements, and machine-learning approaches for field-scale validation. The results reveal a complete absence of integration between the two research domains despite their strong biological and methodological compatibility. The proposed framework provides the first operational pathway for evaluating MF technologies under realistic farming conditions and may support future research on sustainable and digitally enabled crop production systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトルセンシングによる作物生理形質の推定を体系的にレビューし、地上検証と機械学習を含むフィールドスケール評価フレームワークを提案しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractUAV-based multispectral sensing represents a potential pathway to address this limitation: by providing spatially explicit, non-destructive estimates of key canopy physiological variables at field scale

Coupled quantity–structure fluctuations of riparian vegetation under geomorphic constraints: the integration of field surveys and unmanned aerial vehicle mapping →

Introduction Riparian vegetation is critical to river stability, but quantity–structure risk under geomorphic constraints remains poorly quantified. Methods Using the Chishui River Basin as a case study, this study combined quarterly field surveys from 25 riparian transects with high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle imagery to develop an integrated framework for identifying coupled fluctuations in vegetation quantity and community structure and their spatiotemporal risk patterns. Results A total of 263 plant species from 185 genera and 65 families were recorded. The results showed that riparian vegetation in the Chishui River exhibited pronounced spatial fluctuation at the basin scale. Biomass peaked upstream in autumn at 425 g m -2 and in the middle–lower reaches in summer at 522 g m -2 , but remained below 400 g m -2 downstream year-round. UAV-derived FVC mean and Texture std were significantly correlated with field-based vegetation-quantity and community-structure indicators, respectively (R 2 = 0.72, p 2 = 0.48, p RI values generally above 0.45, and maximum RI values reached 0.793 and 0.788 in two typical high- RI sections associated with observed human activity and possible engineering-related disturbance. Discussion This integrated framework provides a quantitative basis for cross-scale vegetation monitoring and ecological restoration prioritization in complex basins.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から植生量・群落構造を推定し、現地調査指標との相関で検証する統合的な植物状態測定フレームワークが研究の中心であるため。

abstractcombined quarterly field surveys from 25 riparian transects with high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle imagery to develop an integrated framework for identifying coupled fluctuations in vegetation quantity and community structure

Mapping understorey tree invasion in a drought-affected forest using multi-view UAV imagery and deep learning →

Advances in deep learning (DL) and structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry combined with off-the-shelf unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs) and high-resolution cameras enable unprecedented plant species mapping accuracy. While these tools have been mainly applied to flat terrain or upper forest canopies, the forest understorey remains largely unexplored. Here, we present a method combining DL with multi-view UAV imagery to map the invasive tree-of-heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ) in the understorey of a drought-affected Central European forest. The raw UAV photographs were segmented with convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Resulting predictions were projected onto georeferenced point clouds using SfM. This novel approach revealed that more than 40% of the invasion was hidden beneath the canopy and would have been missed by conventional orthomosaic-based methods. To assess CNN generalization abilities, we altered training and prediction domains: lower-processing-level aerial images vs. higher-processing-level orthomosaic, both originating from a small training extent (420 m 2 or 0.25% of the study area). For intra-domain predictions, aerial-trained models (F1=0.880) outperformed ortho-trained models (F1=0.805). When applied cross-domain, aerial models retained superior performance (F1=0.843) over ortho-trained ones (F1=0.750). Expanding the training extent eightfold raised the accuracy of the ortho-trained models to F1=0.836 within-domain and F1=0.846 cross-domain. In summary, integrating photogrammetry with DL is a promising route for utilizing overlapping aerial imagery efficiently and leveraging information that conventional orthomosaic-based analyses discard. The resulting richer 3D information and improved transferability may support decision-making and retrofitting this novel technique to upcoming and existing datasets opens new avenues in vegetation studies and beyond.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods森林下層の侵入樹木を対象に、UAV多視点画像、SfM、深層学習を統合した植物状態（侵入・分布）の抽出法を開発し、ドメイン間性能も検証しており、方法が中心である。

abstractHere, we present a method combining DL with multi-view UAV imagery to map the invasive tree-of-heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ) in the understorey of a drought-affected Central European forest.

Quantifying Canopy Closure Dynamics Using UAV Imagery and Semantic Segmentation in Rice Breeding Trials. →

The canopy closure stage is a critical phase of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) development that influences canopy structure and final grain yield. Accurate and continuous monitoring of canopy closure dynamics is therefore essential for variety screening and cultivation optimization. This study combines unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing technology with deep learning-based semantic segmentation to establish an efficient framework for quantifying rice canopy closure dynamics. UAV RGB images were acquired for 198 hybrid rice varieties during early growth stages and used to build a canopy segmentation dataset. Three semantic segmentation models, i.e., DeepLabv3+, U-Net, and PSPNet, were systematically evaluated. Results show that DeepLabv3+ performed the best and enabled precise extraction of rice canopy features, obtaining a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 0.86. Based on the extracted canopy coverage, the Gompertz model was utilized to characterize temporal canopy closure trajectories for all varieties, achieving an average R 2 of 0.978. Subsequently, five key dynamic indicators were derived, including canopy closure limit value ( K ), initial growth coefficient ( a ), growth rate coefficient ( b ), maximum instantaneous growth rate ( MGR ), and days to maximum growth rate ( Tm ). K-means clustering analysis was performed on these indicators to categorize all rice varieties into three clusters, disclosing pronounced differences in early-stage canopy development characteristics. Correlation analysis further demonstrated that canopy closure dynamics were closely associated with grain yield. Overall, while acknowledging the limitations of a single-season and single-site dataset, this study provides a scalable and objective framework for quantifying rice canopy closure dynamics, offering valuable support for variety selection, cultivation optimization, and high-yield rice production.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と深層学習セマンティックセグメンテーションを用いてイネのキャノピー閉鎖動態を定量化する手法を構築・評価しており、植物形質抽出が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study combines unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing technology with deep learning-based semantic segmentation to establish an efficient framework for quantifying rice canopy closure dynamics.

Precise estimation of rice leaf macro and micro nutrients from multi-spectral images using neural architecture search with polynomial approximation functions →

Estimating the nutritional status of rice leaves is crucial for efficient nutrient management and yield enhancement. Traditional wet lab analyses are time-consuming and labor-intensive. This study presents a novel deep learning-based approach utilizing multispectral images captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to estimate macro/micro nutrients in rice leaves. The proposed framework integrates a differentiable neural search technique using polynomial function approximators and an adaptive activation mechanism, which not only provides improved predictive performance but also deals efficiently with limited training data. The model performance is evaluated across different treatments and crop growth stages using mean absolute error (MAE) and [Formula: see text] values. Experiments were conducted at the Punjab Agricultural University. The results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves MAE values in the range of 0.06-0.11 for SAS-I and 0.06-0.16 for SAS-II across eleven leaf macro/micro nutrients. To further evaluate the reliability of the predicted nutrients beyond the prediction error analysis, uncertainty estimation of nutrients is also performed. Comparative analysis shows that the proposed framework outperforms conventional deep learning baselines and machine learning methods in terms of accuracy and robustness. Furthermore, the t-SNE visualization of learned feature representations effectively clusters similar nutrient values while separating dissimilar ones. The robustness of the proposed framework is further validated through ablation studies, treatment-wise and plot-wise cross-validation, highlighting the contribution of individual components and their performance under varying field conditions. These findings highlight the proposed NAS-based framework for precise and reliable nutrient assessment in precision agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods稲葉のマクロ・微量栄養素という植物状態をマルチスペクトル画像から推定する深層学習手法を開発し、比較検証・不確実性評価・アブレーション試験まで行っており、表現型取得・推定法が中心である。

abstractThis study presents a novel deep learning-based approach utilizing multispectral images captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to estimate macro/micro nutrients in rice leaves.

Stage-Specific Estimation of Maize Flavonoids Using UAV Multispectral Imagery and Spectral, Texture, and Phenological Features →

Rapid and non-destructive estimation of maize (Zea mays L.) leaf flavonoid (Flav) content is important for crop stress monitoring and precision agriculture. This study aimed to improve Flav estimation by integrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based multispectral data, texture features, and phenological parameters across six key growth stages in the Guanzhong Plain, China. Maize Flav content was measured in situ using a Dualex Scientific+ meter, while canopy reflectance was acquired with a DJI M300 RTK UAV equipped with an MS600 Pro multispectral camera. A comprehensive feature set, including spectral bands, vegetation indices, texture features, texture indices, and logistic curve-derived phenological parameters, was constructed. Three feature selection methods, competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), the genetic algorithm (GA), and the successive projections algorithm (SPA), together with three regression models, partial least squares regression (PLSR), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and convolutional neural network (CNN), were evaluated for Flav estimation. The results showed that integrating spectral, texture, and phenological information significantly improved model performance compared with spectral variables alone. CNN and XGBoost generally outperformed PLSR. Across the six growth stages, the stage-specific optimal models achieved coefficient of determination (R2) values ranging from 0.7749 to 0.8686 and residual prediction deviation (RPD) values ranging from 2.0046 to 2.6019, indicating high to outstanding predictive ability. The highest accuracy was obtained at R3 using the CARS-XII-CNN model, with R2 = 0.8686, root mean square error of validation (RMSEV) = 0.0382, and RPD = 2.6019. Texture features and phenological metrics, especially the start of season derived from the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI_SOS) and the rate of senescence derived from the enhanced vegetation index (EVI_ROS), contributed substantially to model accuracy. In addition, maize Flav showed a unimodal response to nitrogen supply, with moderate nitrogen levels associated with higher Flav content. This study demonstrates the potential of UAV-based multisource feature integration and machine learning for accurate maize Flav estimation, and provides a useful framework for digital crop phenotyping and stress diagnosis.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像と特徴量・機械学習を用いて、トウモロコシ葉フラボノイド含量という植物形質を推定する手法を開発・比較検証しており、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractThis study aimed to improve Flav estimation by integrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based multispectral data, texture features, and phenological parameters across six key growth stages

Physics-informed machine learning and Vision Transformer for predicting photosynthetic traits, biomass, and grain yield in winter wheat using UAV multispectral imagery →

Predicting crop photosynthetic traits from UAV imagery requires frameworks that connect canopy-level spectral observations to leaf-level physiological processes. Existing approaches rely on empirical vegetation indices (VIs) and standard machine learning models, lacking physical interpretability and appropriate deep learning architectures for image data. We developed a physics-informed multi-output machine learning framework that combines PROSAIL radiative transfer model inversion-derived biophysical parameters with spectral VIs and texture features (TFs), applies two spatial deep learning architectures, a Vision Transformer (ViT) and a 2D convolutional neural network (CNN), to multispectral image patches, and introduces a hybrid architecture that fuses PROSAIL-derived features with ViT spatial embeddings. The framework was evaluated for predicting CO 2 assimilation rate ( A ), stomatal conductance ( g sw), Photosystem II efficiency ( F v’/ F m’), aboveground biomass (AGB), and grain yield in a subset of seven European winter wheat varieties selected from a larger 18-variety field experiment across two growing seasons (2022–2024). Model performance was evaluated using random hold-out tests and leave-one-variety-out (LOVO) validation with bootstrap confidence intervals. For grain yield, the best tabular models achieved R 2 = 0.92–0.96, and the ViT on image patches achieved a competitive R 2 = 0.92. ViT delivered the best performance in predicting g sw. BorutaSHAP selected PROSAIL-derived features alongside empirical VIs, confirming that physics-informed features provide complementary information. The hybrid ViT+PROSAIL model matched or outperformed ViT-only for most traits under LOVO validation, with the clearest gain observed for grain yield, indicating that physics-based features can help regularize spatial representations for improved cultivar-level transferability. This study demonstrates that integrating radiative transfer model physics with spatial deep learning advances UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping of photosynthetic traits in breeding programs.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像から光合成形質、バイオマス、収量を推定する物理情報機械学習・画像解析フレームワークを開発し、複数の検証法で性能評価しており、植物表現型取得・推定法が中心である。

abstractWe developed a physics-informed multi-output machine learning framework that combines PROSAIL radiative transfer model inversion-derived biophysical parameters with spectral VIs and texture features (TFs), applies two spatial deep learning architectures, a Vision Transformer (ViT) and a 2D convolutional neural network (CNN), to multispectral image patches, and introduces a hybrid architecture that fuses PROSAIL-derived features with ViT spatial embeddings.

Automatic measurement of rice tiller angle from unmanned aerial vehicle images →

Abstract Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) tiller angle is an important trait that influences plant architecture, canopy light interception, and yield potential. In this study, we proposed a deep learning‐based pipeline for automated measurement of rice tiller angle and plant base width using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery. Our method leverages keypoint detection models to estimate tiller angles efficiently and accurately. We collected and annotated a dataset of UAV‐captured rice plant images for tiller angle estimation. We demonstrated that our approach provides scalable and precise measurement for keypoints under real‐world field conditions, achieving a mean average precision (mAP)@50 of 0.982 and a mAP@50:95 of 0.859 on the test set. Predicted tiller angle distribution aligns well with human annotations, with a mean absolute error of 5.3° across a range of 10.7°–27.8° and a Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.64, offering acceptable accuracy for tiller angle measurement in real‐world agricultural settings. Additionally, the predicted plant base width ranges from 2.8 to 5.5 cm, with a mean absolute error of 1.02 cm compared to human annotations, highlighting the model's capability for precise spatial analysis. Significant differences in tiller angle and plant base width were detected among 27 rice genotypes. These results validate the proposed pipeline's potential for accurate and efficient differentiation of plant architecture traits. This research is the first to measure the rice tiller angle directly from UAV images. It lays a foundation for automated phenotyping of plant architecture traits and has the potential for integration into plant phenotyping frameworks to further promote artificial intelligence‐driven rice research and production.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と深層学習により、イネの分げつ角度・株元幅という植物形態形質を自動推定する手法を開発・検証しており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe proposed a deep learning‐based pipeline for automated measurement of rice tiller angle and plant base width using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery.

Deep learning models with a hierarchical method using RGB images from UAV and proximal sensor data for real-time detection of strawberry plant health →

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and precision agriculture has created new opportunities for efficient and sustainable crop monitoring. These technologies enable large-scale analysis of agricultural data to assess plant health, optimize resource usage, and support data-driven decision-making. This work presents a machine-learning-based framework for assessing strawberry plant health using RGB imagery collected from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Unlike traditional object detection approaches, this study adopts a hierarchical classification strategy using convolutional neural networks, including different ResNet and EfficientNet architectures. Individual plant regions are extracted as blobs through a preprocessing pipeline, and these image tiles are used to train stage-wise binary classifiers that progressively distinguish plant health categories. To enhance reliability, model predictions are validated using field-collected ground-truth data including chlorophyll measurements and visual plant health ratings, as well as real-time deployment scenarios, where predictions are made from live UAV video feeds. Geospatial alignment associates image-based predictions with real-world measurements, enabling comprehensive evaluation of model performance. Experimental results showed that ResNet18 achieved 87.75% accuracy with an F1 score of 0.8524 for healthy plant classification and 93.75% accuracy with an F1 score of 0.6115 for unhealthy plant classification. EfficientNet-B0 demonstrated superior performance for moderately healthy and moderately unhealthy categories, achieving accuracies of 66.83% and 75.65%, with F1 scores of 0.6350 and 0.6070, respectively, highlighting the effectiveness of the hierarchical classification framework. This framework demonstrates the practical potential of RGB-based plant health monitoring integrated with geospatial alignment and field-validated measurements, offering a scalable, efficient solution for precision agriculture applications.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRGB画像と深層学習を用いてイチゴ個体の健康状態を推定する分類フレームワークを開発し、地上測定・目視評価・実運用映像で検証しており、植物表現型取得が中心的です。

abstractThis work presents a machine-learning-based framework for assessing strawberry plant health using RGB imagery collected from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Comparing Unsupervised and Supervised Classifiers on Multispectral UAV Data to Detect Crop Water-Nitrogen Co-Limitation →

The high spatio-temporal resolution of UAV sensors requires robust analytical tools to classify subtle agroecosystem variations. This study compared unsupervised, supervised machine learning (ML), and deep learning (U‑Net) classifiers to identify nitrogen (N) and water (I) status, and their interaction (N×I) in potato crops using UAV multispectral imagery. The U‑Net model outperformed all other methods, achieving accuracies of 85% (N), 93% (I), and 70% (N×I). Supervised ML classifiers also performed well and Support Vector Machine achieved 71, 62, and 40% respectively, whereas Random Forest achieved 67, 61, and 40%. The unsupervised K‑means classifier yielded the lowest accuracies (41, 36, and 23%), demonstrating the necessity of substantial supervision to delineate crop N and water properties. These results were confirmed by repeated analysis on UAV imagery acquired later in the season. Deep learning classifiers should be adopted more widely in precision agriculture, as they offer new potential for optimizing N and irrigation co-management under field conditions with subtle spatial variation that is otherwise difficult to capture. Future research should test alternative deep learning algorithms and sensor data fusion to further improve classification accuracies.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像からジャガイモの窒素・水分状態を推定し、複数の分類器を比較・反復検証しており、植物状態の取得・推定手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study compared unsupervised, supervised machine learning (ML), and deep learning (U‑Net) classifiers to identify nitrogen (N) and water (I) status, and their interaction (N×I) in potato crops using UAV multispectral imagery.

Integration of UAV photography, field data and machine learning algorithms for stem volume estimation →

In this study, the diameter and height of Pinus brutia Ten. trees were measured using orthomosaic data obtained from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery, and the stem volumes were estimated using machine learning (ML) techniques. The research was conducted in southwestern Türkiye within the brutian pine stands managed by the Isparta Regional Directorate of Forestry. A total of 175 trees were measured for height and diameter at breast height (d1.3), and these measurements used to estimate volume. The accuracy of these estimations predictions was examined, with volume estimation values serving as dependent variables in various ML algorithms. The performance of nine ML algorithms - AdaBoost Regression, Artificial Neural Network, Deep Neural Network, Decision Tree Regression, Gradient Boosting Regression, Linear Regression, Random Forest Regression, Support Vector Regression, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting Regression - were compared. The results indicated that using only the diameter values (max. correlation 0.984) produced better results than using only the height values (max. correlation 0.932), while combining diameter and height variables (max. correlation 0.987) produced the most accurate results. Among the all algorithms, Random Forest Regression achieved the highest average correlation (0.968), whereas Decision Tree Regression had the lowest (0.906). All algorithms produced correlations exceeding 0.90. These findings demonstrate that ML models can effectively estimate stem volume from UAV-derived diameter and height data under field conditions similar to those in southwestern Türkiye. The integration of remote sensing and ML may therefore offer a viable approach for stem volume estimation in structurally comparable forest environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から樹木の直径・樹高を取得し、機械学習で幹材積を推定する手法を比較評価しており、植物形質の取得・推定が研究の中心である。

abstractthe diameter and height of Pinus brutia Ten. trees were measured using orthomosaic data obtained from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery, and the stem volumes were estimated using machine learning (ML) techniques.

Deciphering the genetic basis of yield components in wheat by integrating hyperspectral-based phenomes. →

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have advanced crop genetics by the detection of loci controlling complex traits; however, their power is often constrained by the quality and the throughput of phenotypic data. In this study, we integrated hyperspectral and genomics data to investigate the genetic architecture of spectral signatures associated with yield components in wheat. A diverse panel of 341 soft wheat lines was evaluated over three years, and hyperspectral data were collected using a UAV-mounted sensor. Among 273 spectral bands, those most strongly correlated with grain yield (GY), thousand-grain weight (TGW), and grains per unit area (GN) were selected. Principal component analysis was used for dimensionality reduction, and the first principal component (PC1), here defined as the hyperspectral phenome, accounted for 78.9%-97.1% of overall variance. The GWAS using both manual phenotypes and hyperspectral phenomes identified 31 significant marker-trait associations (MTAs), including several pleiotropic loci shared across traits and data types. A notable SNP on chromosome 1A, associated with all three hyperspectral phenomes, was located within a gene specifying a chlorophyll a-b binding protein, a key component of photosynthesis and stress response. Additional MTAs were linked to genes involved in cytochrome P450 metabolism and LRR proteins, highlighting their roles in yield and environmental response. Overall, this study shows that hyperspectral imaging serves as a valuable, high-throughput secondary correlated trait for uncovering novel loci and dissecting the genetic basis of complex yield traits in wheat.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods小麦の収量関連形質を推定するUAV搭載ハイパースペクトル計測と、スペクトルデータからフェノームを抽出する解析が研究の中心であり、GWASへの実質的な応用として記述されている。

abstracthyperspectral data were collected using a UAV-mounted sensor

Dynamic monitoring of rice plant height during the early growth stage using UAV-LiDAR and GWAS analysis of growth rate →

Plant height during the early growth stage of rice is a key indicator reflecting canopy establishment rate, tillering potential, and overall growth vigor, all of which critically determine final yield formation. Conventional manual measurements fail to capture high-frequency, continuous, and non-destructive monitoring of plant height dynamics, limiting the understanding of early growth vigor and its genetic mechanisms. In this study, a UAV-based LiDAR system was employed to acquire canopy point clouds of 211 rice accessions across ten time points within 40 days after transplanting. High-resolution canopy height models (CHMs) were generated, and continuous plant height trajectories H(t) were reconstructed using piecewise cubic Hermite interpolation (PCHIP). The first derivative V(t) quantified growth rate dynamics and identified the timing of maximum growth (T max ), enabling precise differentiation of early growth patterns among geno-types. Genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) using a mixed linear model (MLM, Q+K) detected 604 significant SNPs, among which 33 were stably expressed across environments. Five candidate genes were identified within ±200 kb windows, mainly encoding proteins related to cell elongation, hormone signaling, and photosynthetic metabolism. The results highlight that LiDAR-based dynamic monitoring of plant height, coupled with genomic association analysis, provides a robust framework for quantifying rice early growth vigor and elucidating its molecular basis, offering valuable guidance for breeding high-vigor “early-establishing” rice cultivars.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV-LiDARによるイネ草丈の時系列取得・CHM生成・成長率推定が研究の中心であり、GWASはその測定形質の応用分析。

abstractConventional manual measurements fail to capture high-frequency, continuous, and non-destructive monitoring of plant height dynamics

Individual plant-level (IPL) soybean biomass estimation and spatial mapping through UAV multisource feature-driven machine learning framework →

Abstract Rapid and accurate quantification of crop biomass using multisource UAV imagery–derived features, such as plant height, vegetation indices, and texture indices demonstrates strong potential for soybean high-throughput phenotyping. The indeterminate growth habit of soybean, alongside extensive nodulation and intense inter-plant competition, necessitates individual plant level (IPL) monitoring to quantify plant-specific nitrogen fixation and competitive vigor. However, most studies aggregate measurements at multi-plants at the plot level, thereby masking these soybean-specific traits. This study aims to develop and evaluate a UAV imagery-based framework for estimating soybean biomass at the IPL, with the objective of characterizing high-resolution spatial variability and supporting high-throughput phenotyping. Regions of interest (ROIs) for IPL data acquisition were defined as rectangular plots based on planting density and were generated from early-stage imagery before canopy overlap occurred. Using these ROIs, structural information (SIs) including plant height (PH) and vegetation fraction (VF)), vegetation indices (VIs), and texture indices (TIs) were derived for each individual plant from RGB and multispectral imagery and organized into sensor-specific feature groups. Recursive feature elimination was applied to select optimal features, which were then used as inputs for machine learning architectures including support vector regression (SVR) with a linear kernel, Random Forest (RF), and XGBoost (XGB). Among them, the SVR model using fused multisource features (SIs + VIs + Tis) achieved the best performance, with R² = 0.88, RMSE = 55.34 g, and rRMSE = 8.50% on an independent test dataset. The results show that: (1) tree-based models, including XGB and RF may suffer from overfitting due to limited sample size and feature redundancy, whereas linear SVR showed better generalization; (2) fusing RGB and multispectral features consistently improved biomass estimation accuracy. Inparticular, near-infrared and red-edge-based indices such as RECI and NDRE, along with VF and PH, were identified as important predictors, while texture indices were not selected as significant features; and (3) the proposed framework enabled spatially explicit IPL biomass mapping and time-series analysis, revealing variability in growth conditions and distinct growth trajectories. The framework provides a reliable solution for IPL soybean biomass estimation with practical potential for UAV-based agricultural decision-making.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像由来の特徴量と機械学習により個体レベルのダイズ biomass を推定・評価する枠組みが研究の中心であり、植物表現型の取得・抽出手法に該当する。

abstractThis study aims to develop and evaluate a UAV imagery-based framework for estimating soybean biomass at the IPL

Early hyperspectral detection of Carlavirus vignae in common bean under field conditions →

Abstract Virus-associated diseases are among the biological stresses that affect common bean yield, such as Carlavirus vignae ( Cowpea mild mottle virus , CPMMV), transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci . CPMMV is present in different continents, and recent outbreaks have concerned Brazilian farmers and researchers. Integrated Pest Management routines for field monitoring of viral spread are laborious and may be limited to visible symptoms. We hypothesized that CPMMV infection can be detected in asymptomatic plants by differences in the plant canopy reflectance. To test this hypothesis, we used a hyperspectral sensor mounted on a drone to capture images of CPMMV-inoculated and non-inoculated field plots in 2022 and 2023, across a tolerant common bean cultivar (BRS FC420 RMD) and a susceptible one (BRS FC401 RMD). Results showed that CPMMV was detected in common bean plants by hyperspectral imaging at early infection stages (~ 6 DAI) before symptom onset and at an advanced infection stage (~ 22 DAI). Reflectance within the visible light spectrum was affected by soil cover on all flights, and in most of these, also in the near-infrared region. The main differences between CPMMV-inoculated and control plants were consistent across two years of experiments, regardless of the common bean phenological stage and genotype. Fit statistics using the sum of squared errors, R 2 and AIC indicated that reflectance from 401 to 425 nm, especially near 415 nm, differed significantly between infected and healthy plants. Such changes are associated with chlorophyll degradation and disruption of the photosynthetic apparatus, and are detectable even before symptom onset. Progress in the disease severity index also differentiated the tolerant cultivar from the susceptible one. CPMMV infection significantly reduced common bean yield by ~ 21% compared with healthy plants. CPMMV detection by hyperspectral imaging enables early scouting to optimize disease management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsハイパースペクトル画像を用いて、症状発現前の感染植物の反射特性と病害状態を検出し、複数年・品種で技術性能を検証しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractWe hypothesized that CPMMV infection can be detected in asymptomatic plants by differences in the plant canopy reflectance.

LiDAR and UAV Photogrammetry for Three-Dimensional Canopy Reconstruction: A Comparative Study for Precision Agriculture Under Mediterranean Conditions →

This study evaluates the performance of LiDAR sensing and UAV photogrammetry for three-dimensional canopy reconstruction and structural parameter estimation in precision agriculture under Mediterranean conditions. Experiments were conducted in Sicily, Italy, on Moringa oleifera Lam. and Ficus macrophylla subsp. columnaris, representing contrasting canopy architectures. LiDAR and UAV photogrammetric data were used to generate canopy models and estimate canopy height, canopy volume, and vegetation density distribution. A voxel-based approach was applied to LiDAR-derived point clouds to quantify internal canopy structure and vegetation density within the canopy volume. Accuracy was assessed by comparing remote sensing-derived canopy metrics with ground-truth field measurements. LiDAR outperformed UAV photogrammetry in canopy height estimation, achieving lower RMSE values than UAV-derived models (0.19–0.21 m vs. 0.52–0.60 m), corresponding to an approximate error reduction of 60–65%. LiDAR also provided more accurate canopy volume estimation, with lower relative errors than UAV photogrammetry (3.5–4.2% vs. 13.7–16.1%). The voxel-based LiDAR approach enabled the quantification of vegetation density distribution within the canopy volume, showing higher sensitivity to internal canopy layers compared with UAV photogrammetry, particularly in the structurally complex Ficus macrophylla canopy. UAV photogrammetry provided reliable estimates of the external canopy surface but underestimated structural parameters in dense vegetation due to canopy occlusion and limited penetration into inner canopy layers. Differences between the two methods were more pronounced in Ficus macrophylla than in Moringa oleifera, confirming the strong influence of canopy complexity on sensing performance. These findings demonstrate that LiDAR-derived structural and voxel-based metrics can improve canopy characterization and support precision agriculture applications such as biomass estimation, irrigation planning, yield prediction, and canopy management in Mediterranean cropping systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDARとUAVフォトグラメトリによる植物キャノピーの3次元再構築・構造形質推定を比較検証し、地上計測との精度評価まで行っており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study evaluates the performance of LiDAR sensing and UAV photogrammetry for three-dimensional canopy reconstruction and structural parameter estimation

Supplemental figures for "Integrating Machine Learning and Remote Sensing to Determine Crop Nitrogen Content of Maize" →

This study developed machine learning models to predict maize crop nitrogen content (CNC) using vegetation indices derived from UAV and satellite imagery. Several models were evaluated, with Random Forest demonstrating the best performance. The study emphasizes that combining vegetation indices enhances prediction accuracy more than using individual spectral bands. Results show reliable CNC estimation across growth stages, although predictions at early stages are less precise due to low canopy cover and soil interference. The approach allows for real-time, field-to-regional-scale nitrogen monitoring, supporting improved fertilizer management and precision agriculture decision-making.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV・衛星画像からトウモロコシの窒素含量を推定する機械学習・リモートセンシング手法の開発とモデル比較が中心であり、植物形質の取得方法に該当する。

abstractThis study developed machine learning models to predict maize crop nitrogen content (CNC) using vegetation indices derived from UAV and satellite imagery.

Supplemental figures for "Integrating Machine Learning and Remote Sensing to Determine Crop Nitrogen Content of Maize" →

This study developed machine learning models to predict maize crop nitrogen content (CNC) using vegetation indices derived from UAV and satellite imagery. Several models were evaluated, with Random Forest demonstrating the best performance. The study emphasizes that combining vegetation indices enhances prediction accuracy more than using individual spectral bands. Results show reliable CNC estimation across growth stages, although predictions at early stages are less precise due to low canopy cover and soil interference. The approach allows for real-time, field-to-regional-scale nitrogen monitoring, supporting improved fertilizer management and precision agriculture decision-making.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV・衛星画像と機械学習により、トウモロコシの作物窒素含量という植物形質を推定し、モデル性能を比較・評価しているため、リモートセンシング型フェノタイピング手法の適用が中心です。

abstractThis study developed machine learning models to predict maize crop nitrogen content (CNC) using vegetation indices derived from UAV and satellite imagery.

Using UAV Multispectral Imagery to Predict Leaf SPAD Dynamics During Maize Growth Under Different Plant Densities →

Chlorophyll content represents a key growth indicator for maize. The traditional SPAD method, though easy to operate, is inefficient, destructive, and unsuitable for high throughput field monitoring. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) remote sensing technology is highly efficient and detects abundant indicators, enabling large-scale SPAD measurement. In this study, 18 vegetation indices and 8 texture features were selected as the indicator system by combining prior knowledge and experimental analysis. In a two-year maize density experiment, multispectral images were collected in the full growth period. The correlations between SPAD values, multispectral indices and texture features were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Then the detection accuracies of three algorithms i.e. Random Forest (RF), Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), and Support Vector Regression (SVR), were compared under this indicator system. Compared with models constructed using single vegetation indices or single texture features, the estimation accuracy of the indicator system at the jointing stage was improved by 0.13 and 0.22, respectively. The results showed that SVR achieved the highest estimation accuracy among the three algorithms, with determination coefficients (R²) of 0.73, 0.77and 0.70 at the jointing, silking, and grain-filling stages, respectively. This study established a non-destructive monitoring framework for chlorophyll content during entire maize growth period based on UAV data.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像からトウモロコシ葉のSPAD／クロロフィル含量を推定する指標体系と機械学習モデルを構築・比較しており、表現型取得手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study established a non-destructive monitoring framework for chlorophyll content during entire maize growth period based on UAV data.

Advances in Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Crop Pest and Disease Detection: A Systematic Review →

The detection technology of crop diseases and pests is transitioning from single sensor monitoring to intelligent perception and multimodal fusion. This paper follows the PRISMA 2020 standard and systematically reviews the relevant core literature. This paper systematically summarizes the development history of spectral sensing technology and analyzes the physical mechanisms of hyperspectral and multispectral imaging in early identification of crop diseases. The focus is on the architectural evolution of deep learning models, including lightweight convolutional neural networks (CNNs), vision transformers (ViTs) with long-range dependency modeling capabilities, and the efficient computing state space model Mamba. In addition, the research progress of spatial spectral joint learning, heterogeneous data fusion, and vision-language models (VLMs) in improving system robustness and interpretability are introduced. By synthesizing the integrated applications of UAV remote sensing, Internet of Things (IoT) edge computing and intelligent robots in staple and cash crops, this paper summarizes the implementation of the integrated system of perception, decision-making and execution. To address the issues of insufficient cross-domain generalization ability and uneven allocation of computing resources in existing models, this paper provides perspectives on the future development of agricultural artificial intelligence (AI) towards foundation model-driven, edge-intelligent collaboration, and green sustainable direction, which can provide theoretical reference for engineering applications in the field of intelligent plant protection.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods作物病害の画像・スペクトル観測による植物の病徴・病害状態推定を中心に、検出技術と計算手法を体系的にレビューしており、植物フェノタイピング手法のレビューに該当する。

abstractThis paper systematically summarizes the development history of spectral sensing technology and analyzes the physical mechanisms of hyperspectral and multispectral imaging in early identification of crop diseases.

Aerial imagery and deep learning accurately estimate maize foliar disease severity →

ABSTRACT Southern leaf blight (SLB) is a foliar disease of maize (Zea mays L.) caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus. Genetic resistance is the most effective control method for SLB. Developing disease resistant maize lines requires field trials during which disease phenotypes must be visually assessed. Remote sensing using drones is an emerging technology that can be leveraged for high-throughput phenotyping of disease severity that is otherwise labor-intensive and subjective. This project used a deep learning approach to estimate SLB disease severity of single-row maize plots from drone imagery. Over 26,000 plot-level images produced from flights conducted across three growing seasons were labeled with in-field visual scores taken contemporaneously by expert raters. Variation in environmental conditions contributed to a labeled image dataset that reflects the complexity of agronomic field experiments. We assessed the ability of nine deep learning models from three architectural families to estimate disease severity. The best-performing model, EVA-02-B, achieved strong cross year generalization (R 2 = 0.697). Error analysis found that performance was more strongly associated with seasonal disease progression and flight-score time offset than with image-level noise. UAV-based deep learning estimated SLB severity with comparable precision to expert raters. This study lays the groundwork for integrating automated phenotypes into genetic studies of disease resistance. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Southern leaf blight (SLB) of maize is a disease that causes yield loss worldwide and developing resistant varieties offers the best hope for controlling the disease. Studying SLB resistance requires plant pathologists to visually score severity in the field, a labor-intensive method that requires expertise. To address these challenges, we asked whether SLB severity scoring could be automated using drone images and artificial intelligence (AI). We trained AI models using three years of image and score data then compared the results to visual scores taken by five plant pathologists. The best performing AI model showed a similar level of consistency to the experts and proved capable of scoring severity despite unpredictable and uncontrollable conditions that affect field imaging experiments such as weeds or shadows. These findings provide a validated method that improves the efficiency of maize disease research, a critical area of study for agricultural sustainability and productivity.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsドローン画像と深層学習により、トウモロコシの葉病害重症度という植物状態を推定し、複数年データで性能と汎化性を評価した手法研究である。

abstractRemote sensing using drones is an emerging technology that can be leveraged for high-throughput phenotyping of disease severity

BCAR-Net: A Bidirectional Cross-Attention Network with Auxiliary Reconstruction for Tree Counting in Complex Forest Scenes Using Airborne RGB and LiDAR Data →

Accurate tree counting from remote sensing data is essential for forest inventory, biomass estimation, carbon accounting, and ecological monitoring. However, existing approaches predominantly rely on airborne RGB imagery and often struggle in complex forest scenes where neighboring crowns exhibit highly similar textures and colors and where overlapping crown boundaries become ambiguous. To address this limitation, the LiDAR-derived Canopy Height Model (CHM) is introduced as a complementary modality that provides explicit cues on canopy height variation and vertical structure to support RGB-based analysis. Building on this, we propose BCAR-Net, a broker-guided RGB and depth (RGB-D) multimodal framework that couples bidirectional cross-modal interaction, adaptive tri-branch fusion, and auxiliary reconstruction within a two-stage optimization scheme. Specifically, a bidirectional cross-attention U-Net generates an intermediate broker RGB-D representation from paired RGB images and depth maps through symmetric bidirectional cross-attention between the two modalities and direction-aware gating. The original RGB image, depth map, and broker representation are then jointly encoded by three weight-sharing branches and adaptively aggregated by a spatial fusion gate for density-map regression. To regularize the fused latent feature, a multi-scale cross-attention reconstruction decoder provides auxiliary RGB and depth reconstruction supervision by querying multi-scale BCA-UNet encoder features through 2D cross-attention, and a reconstruction-oriented first stage replaces externally generated fused-image supervision, yielding a task-consistent optimization scheme. Experiments on the NEONTreeEvaluation benchmark show that BCAR-Net consistently outperforms single-modality settings and direct RGB-D concatenation multimodal baseline. Additional experiments on a public UAV RGB-LiDAR dataset provide a small-scale supplementary evaluation under a different acquisition setting, where BCAR-Net achieves modest but consistent improvements over RGB-only and depth-only baselines. These results demonstrate that the proposed framework offers an effective but computationally cautious solution for tree counting in complex forest environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRGB画像とLiDAR由来データから樹木数を推定する深層学習手法を開発し、複数ベンチマークで比較評価しており、植物個体の計測手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe propose BCAR-Net, a broker-guided RGB and depth (RGB-D) multimodal framework

Application of Photogrammetric Software for Digital Canopy Height Modelling from Old Aerial Photographs →

Accurate digital canopy height models (DCHMs) derived from historical aerial photographs are essential for reconstructing long-term forest structural dynamics; however, the influence of photogrammetric software on DCHM quality and reliability remains insufficiently evaluated. This study compared the performance of two structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetric platforms, Metashape and Pix4Dmatic, for processing old aerial photographs and generating DCHMs in Ishikawa prefecture. Software performance was assessed using image processing efficiency, geometric accuracy based on root mean square error (RMSE), and correlation between derived DCHMs and National Forest Inventory (NFI) measurements. The results revealed that Metashape required shorter image processing times for the digital surface model generation and produced denser point clouds with broader spatial coverage. By contrast, Pix4Dmatic achieved higher geometric accuracy, with RMSE values of 0.571 m, 0.870 m, and 2.120 m in the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively. The Metashape-derived DCHM showed a higher mean value (15.267 ± 5.882 m) than Pix4Dmatic (14.749 ± 5.834 m), but Pix4Dmatic-generated DCHMs showed a closer relationship (r = 0.880) with NFI data (15.322 ± 5.451 m). These findings demonstrate that photogrammetric software selection substantially influences three-dimensional reconstruction from old aerial imagery and affects the reliability of DCHM generation. This study provides practical guidance for selecting SfM software for forest structural analysis and long-term forest monitoring.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods森林樹冠高という植物群落の構造形質を対象に、SfMソフトウェアを比較評価し、DCHM生成の精度・信頼性を検証しているため、方法検証が中心である。

abstractThis study compared the performance of two structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetric platforms, Metashape and Pix4Dmatic, for processing old aerial photographs and generating DCHMs in Ishikawa prefecture.

Recent trends in crop water stress monitoring using remote sensing technologies: A review →

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based remote sensing has emerged as a disruptive technology for detecting crop water stress (CWS) in real time, precisely and at low cost offering significant advancements over conventional approaches. The study examined the red green blue (RGB), multispectral (MSP), hyperspectral (HSP), thermal image sensors integrated with UAVs, which offers a high-spatial and temporal resolution of physiological indicators such as chlorophyll content and canopy cover, canopy temperature, stomatal conductance. The study highlights that in spring maize, random forest (RF) models using UAV-derived MSP and thermal indices with leaf area index (LAI) performed well (R² > 0.575, root mean square error (RMSE)

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV搭載センサーによる作物の水ストレスや生理形質のモニタリング技術をレビューしており、表現型取得法が中心である。

titleRecent trends in crop water stress monitoring using remote sensing technologies: A review

From consumer to RTK-enabled UAVs: A comparative assessment of vineyard mapping accuracy and spectral indices →

Abstract Background This study evaluates the performance of two UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) platforms for vineyard monitoring, focusing on geometric accuracy, effective resolution, and vegetation index consistency. Methods Two UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) platforms were compared over a vineyard using multiple flights with a consumer-grade drone and a single RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) enabled flight at similar altitude over a single vineyard block under comparable acquisition conditions, followed by photogrammetric reconstruction, DSM (Digital Surface Model) co-registration, effective resolution analysis, and RGB (Red-Green-Blue) based vegetation index comparison. Results This study demonstrates that the integration of RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) technology in the Mavic 3E improves the absolute accuracy of DSMs (Digital Surface Models), eliminating systematic vertical offsets of ~ 35 m observed in the Mavic 2E products. After applying a robust Z-shift (vertical) correction, DSMs (Digital Surface Models) from both platforms became directly comparable, with RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) values reduced to ~ 1.3 m while NMAD (Normalized Median Absolute Deviation) remained stable. RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) positioning in the Mavic 3E ensured reliable absolute georeferencing, whereas DSMs (Digital Surface Models) derived from the Mavic 2 Enterprise Zoom remained internally consistent after post-processing, though with lower absolute positional accuracy. Effective resolution analysis further showed that the Mavic 3E imagery preserves higher spatial detail than the Mavic 2E, underscoring the importance of sensor optics and stability for vineyard monitoring. Comparisons of vegetation indices revealed that normalized indices such as NGRDI (Normalized Green Red Difference Index) and VARI (Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index) provide consistent results across platforms, while ExG (Excess Green Index) exhibited strong biases and wide limits of agreement, reflecting its sensitivity to radiometric differences. Conclusions For cross-platform or multi-temporal monitoring, NGRDI (Normalized Green Red Difference Index) and VARI (Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index) proved to be more robust, whereas ExG (Excess Green Index) should only be applied after radiometric harmonization. This study provides a replicable workflow for UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) based vineyard monitoring that integrates geometric alignment, DSM (Digital Surface Model) correction, effective resolution assessment, and index comparison, offering practical recommendations for researchers and practitioners aiming to ensure reliable and comparable UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) derived vineyard metrics.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像・写真測量・DSM補正・植生指数を比較検証し、ブドウ園の植物状態を再現可能に測定するワークフローを中心に扱っているため、植物フェノタイピング手法研究に該当する。

abstractThis study evaluates the performance of two UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) platforms for vineyard monitoring, focusing on geometric accuracy, effective resolution, and vegetation index consistency.

Integrated UAV-Based Multispectral Scouting and Variable-Rate Aerial Spraying for Enhanced Crop Yield and Input Efficiency: A Field-Validated Study →

Precision agriculture demands integrated systems that couple accurate crop stress detection with targeted intervention to mitigate climate volatility and input overuse. Traditional manual scouting and uniform chemical application are spatially imprecise, labour-intensive, and environmentally burdensome. This study field-validates a closed-loop unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) framework integrating AI-driven multispectral scouting with prescription-mapped variable-rate aerial spraying (VRS). A randomized complete block design with four replications was implemented in maize (Zea mays L.) across a 2.4 ha field in Davangere Karnataka, India. Scouting flights at 25 m altitude (1.8 cm ground sampling distance) utilized a MicaSense RedEdge-P and FLIR thermal sensor, with imagery processed through a radiometrically calibrated YOLOv8-Seg pipeline to detect early-stage disease, nutrient deficiency, and water stress. Prescription maps derived from NDRE and CWSI thresholds directly controlled a DJI Agras T40 centrifugal sprayer calibrated to ASABE S572.1 standards. The integrated system achieved an AI detection F1-score of 0.91, reduced agrochemical volume by 34.2%, and improved spray deposition uniformity (coefficient of variation = 18.4%) relative to conventional blanket spraying. Grain yield increased significantly by 11.7% (p

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル・熱画像とAI解析により、作物の病害、栄養欠乏、水ストレスを検出する方法を開発・現地検証しており、植物状態の取得が統合システムの中心的要素である。

abstractThis study field-validates a closed-loop unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) framework integrating AI-driven multispectral scouting with prescription-mapped variable-rate aerial spraying (VRS).

Multi-Scale and Global–Local Feature Enhanced Detection for Tobacco Plants in Complex Field Environments →

Accurate detection of tobacco plants in complex field environments is critical for precision agriculture, crop monitoring, and yield estimation. Traditional manual counting methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and susceptible to environmental and subjective factors. In this study, we propose an improved YOLO11-based framework for automated tobacco plant detection, specifically designed to address challenges such as scale variation, dense distribution, and background interference. The framework integrates four key modules: the Edge-Enhanced Feature Stem (EEFS) to strengthen low-level feature extraction, the Multi-Scale Kernel Interaction (MSKI) to capture multi-scale contextual information, the Adaptive Weighted Feature Fusion (AWFF) to optimize feature aggregation, and the Global–Local Synergistic Attention (GLSA) to enhance feature discrimination by jointly modeling local details and global context. A comprehensive UAV-based tobacco dataset was constructed, encompassing multiple lighting conditions, collection heights, and observation angles. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly outperforms the YOLO11 baseline and achieves superior performance compared to mainstream YOLO variants. Ablation studies and heatmap visualizations confirm the effectiveness of each module. Furthermore, the model exhibits robust performance under multi-dimensional environmental perturbations, including varying illumination, scale, and camera angles. The proposed framework provides a practical and efficient solution for automated tobacco plant counting, offering potential applications in UAV-based precision agriculture and large-scale crop monitoring.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像からタバコ個体を自動検出・計数する手法を開発し、専用データセット、比較実験、アブレーション、頑健性評価まで行っており、植物個体数の取得方法が中心です。

abstractwe propose an improved YOLO11-based framework for automated tobacco plant detection

UAV-based phenotyping outperforms visual canopy wilting for evaluating soybean drought tolerance and yield retention under rainfed conditions. →

Drought is the major abiotic stress limiting soybean growth and yield, yet accurately identifying genotypes that sustain yield under rainfed conditions remains a major bottleneck in soybean breeding. Canopy wilting scores are widely used as a proxy for evaluating plant responses to drought stress. However, most assessments rely on leaf-level visual observations that are inherently subjective and typically based on single time-point scores, providing only a snapshot of stress expression and failing to capture their relationship with yield retention under rainfed conditions. To address these limitations, this study used Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based high-throughput phenotyping at a single growth stage (R4/R5) as a more quantitative and objective alternative to visual scoring, with closer relevance to yield performance under drought conditions. From 2023 to 2025, a total of 85 soybean genotypes developed by soybean breeding programs in Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and North Carolina, along with commercial checks, were evaluated under irrigated and rainfed conditions in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Visual canopy wilting scores were recorded at R4/R5, along with vegetation indices captured using UAV-based multispectral imagery. UAV-derived indices showed significant correlations with yield ( r = 0.22 to 0.45, p<0.05) under rainfed conditions. In contrast, visual canopy wilting scores displayed weak and inconsistent associations with yield ( r = -0.28 to 0.35, p<0.05), suggesting limited ability to capture yield retention under rainfed conditions. Unsupervised k -means clustering ( n = 2) of UAV-derived vegetation indices separated genotypes into two distinct canopy response groups that were consistent across 2023 to 2025 rainfed seasons. Significant differences were observed among clusters for several vegetation indices (ARI, CIG, CIRE, GSAVI, GNDVI, GOSAVI, OSAVI, NDVI), indicating contrasting canopy stress responses. Under rainfed conditions, these UAV-defined clusters also differed for grain yield (2023: 1,925.6 vs 1,703.1 kg/ha; 2024: 1,849.9 vs 1,229.2 kg/ha; 2025: 2,056.7 vs 1,773.8 kg/ha), whereas visual wilting scores failed to distinguish yield-retaining genotypes. Overall, UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping offers a robust and yield-relevant alternative to visual wilting scores, supporting the development of drought-tolerant soybean germplasm and cultivars.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像による植生指数抽出を、目視評価と比較・検証し、干ばつ応答および収量保持に関連する表現型測定法として中心的に評価している。

abstractthis study used Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based high-throughput phenotyping at a single growth stage (R4/R5) as a more quantitative and objective alternative to visual scoring

A multi-scale supervised contrastive framework for cross-domain soybean disease classification using leaf and UAV imagery. →

Accurate and scalable soybean crop health monitoring remains a major challenge in precision agriculture due to environment variability, inconsistent lighting conditions, and significant differences between the ground-level leaf imagery and UAV-based aerial imagery. Most existing deep learning approaches treat these two sensing modalities separately without properly exploring cross-scale feature transferability or measuring the domain gap that exists between the sensing scales. As a result, developing unified and deployment-ready crop health monitoring systems that can effectively leverage the more accessible leaf-level datasets, collected without specialized equipment or regulatory constraints, to improve UAV-scale inference remains difficult. In order to address this limitation, we propose a multi-scale soybean crop health assessment framework that integrates ground-level leaf imagery and UAV-based aerial imagery from the MH-SoyaHealthVision dataset across four health conditions, which include Healthy, Mosaic Virus, Pest attack, and Rust. CLAHE, Gray-World color constancy correction, and illumination normalization is incorporated into a structured pre-processing pipeline and further applied to reduce illumination bias and enhance cross-domain feature consistency. Six deep learning backbones were comprehensively evaluated for leaf-level classification, with MaxViT and ConvNeXt achieving the best performance. Their static weighted ensemble further improved accuracy to 87.08%. Cross-scale evaluation showed that zero-shot leap-to-UAV transfer achieved only 40% accuracy, thus highlighting the presence of a substantial domain shift. Fine-tuning improved UAV classification performance to about 97%, while a supervised contrastive learning framework specifically designed for cross-scale feature alignment further increased accuracy to approximately 98% with better convergence stability. Feature embedding analysis using PCA, t-SNE, and silhouette metrics demonstrated considerable improvements in inter-class separability (0.59 vs. 0.19) and reduced domain discrepancy (0.0336 vs. 0.114) under contrastive learning. These findings suggest that supervised alignment can generate more class-discriminative representations with lower cross-scale domain discrepancy, making them more suitable for scalable multi-scale cross-health monitoring.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉およびUAV画像からダイズの健康状態・病害を推定する画像ベースの表現学習フレームワークを開発し、複数モデル、クロススケール転移、微調整、教師ありコントラスト学習を比較・検証しているため、植物表現型取得法が中心である。

abstractwe propose a multi-scale soybean crop health assessment framework that integrates ground-level leaf imagery and UAV-based aerial imagery

Application of deep learning in crop research: From genomics to phenomics →

Abstract Deep learning, as a pivotal branch of machine learning, has demonstrated remarkable potential in advancing crop science by effectively integrating genomics and phenomics. This review systematically outlines the application of diverse deep learning architectures—such as convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks, and transformers—across key crop genomic tasks, including gene expression prediction, alternative splicing analysis, cis ‐regulatory element identification, epigenomic profiling, and genome‐based trait prediction. In phenomics, these models facilitate high‐throughput extraction of crop phenotypic traits from multispectral, unmanned aerial vehicle, and ground‐based imagery, supporting yield forecasting, disease diagnosis, and stress response monitoring. We critically evaluate the performance and limitations of each model type across tasks, considering trade‐offs between complexity, accuracy, and interpretability, to offer practical guidance for crop researchers. Additionally, the review addresses major challenges in deploying deep learning—such as data scarcity, model transparency, and computational demands—and proposes future pathways to enhance model generalizability, multimodal data integration, and applications in intelligent breeding and sustainable agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods作物フェノミクスにおける深層学習による画像からの形質抽出を中心的にレビューしており、フェノタイピング手法の方法論的整理に該当する。

abstractIn phenomics, these models facilitate high‐throughput extraction of crop phenotypic traits from multispectral, unmanned aerial vehicle, and ground‐based imagery

Optimized modular transfer learning framework integrating PROSAIL and UAV-based hyperspectral reconstruction for cotton canopy water and nitrogen content retrieval →

Optimizing water and fertilizer management is crucial for improving cotton yield and quality. However, reliable and generalizable models for quickly and accurately estimating cotton canopy leaves water and nutritional status at a low cost throughout the entire growth stage are scarce. Therefore, this study aims to construct the generalization and adaptation retrieval model of cotton canopy leaf nitrogen content (LNC) and equivalent water thickness (EWT) based on PROSAIL, hyperspectral reconstruction with UAV multispectral imagery and module transfer learning. In the hyperspectral reconstruction module, the new hyperspectral reconstruction model (swinT-HSCNN) based on multispectral showing superior performance in reducing pixel-scale systematic errors and effectively captured spectral variations than HSCNN+ and MST++ model. In the PROSAIL module, the proposed Original-E2DCOS method demonstrated greater sensitivity to spectral response characteristics, especially for parameters and bands with low correlation values, and three bands (702 nm, 762 nm, and 938 nm) were selected as the sensitive bands corresponding to chlorophyll content (Cab) and equivalent water thickness (Cw) of cotton. The improved PROSAIL with hyperparameter optimization based on full spectrum and multispectral band shown better fitting performance than the model based on sensitive bands, and achieved high accuracy on simulated data, with R 2 values exceeding 0.98 for both Cab and Cw. Moreover, the new developed modular transfer learning retrieval model of cotton canopy water and nitrogen content through PROSAIL model and hyperspectral reconstruction with UAV multispectral imagery achieved good inversion accuracy with R 2 of 0.83, 0.85, RMSE of 0.0048, 0.0052, for LNC and EWT, respectively after verifying with actual experiment data. In summary, the proposed modular transfer learning retrieval model of cotton canopy water and nitrogen content integrates physical constraints into retrieval models, which enhancing their accuracy and generalization capability, and providing valuable technical support for precision agriculture in cotton production across different regions. • A modular transfer learning model integrates PROSAIL and hyperspectral reconstruction. • Achieves high accuracy for LNC and EWT estimation across diverse environments. • Combines UAV multispectral data with physical constraints for crop monitoring. • Reduces reliance on expensive hyperspectral sensors, ensuring cost-effectiveness. • Validated on multi-regional datasets, demonstrating scalability and generalizability.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像とPROSAIL、ハイパースペクトル再構成、転移学習を統合し、ワタの窒素・水分状態という植物形質を推定する手法を開発・実データで検証しており、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractTherefore, this study aims to construct the generalization and adaptation retrieval model of cotton canopy leaf nitrogen content (LNC) and equivalent water thickness (EWT) based on PROSAIL, hyperspectral reconstruction with UAV multispectral imagery and module transfer learning.

VE-MLM: A variable endmember-based multilinear mixing framework for crop FAPAR estimation using UAV multispectral imagery →

The fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR) is critical for characterizing crop photosynthetic capacity and growth status. Remote sensing technology based on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) enables efficient estimation of FAPAR, but multiple scattering and transmission in the complex and dynamically changing crop canopy and background limit the accuracy of vegetation index (VI)-based methods. This study proposed an adaptive spectral unmixing framework VE-MLM for the multi-layer mixed scenarios, comprising three modules: (1) Variable Endmember Extraction , building a spectral library of foreground (crop) and background endmembers, by extracting pure pixels on the R-NIR feature space and reducing redundancy using k-means and iterative endmember selection algorithm; (2) Iterative Unmixing , iterating over foreground-background endmember combinations as input of the multilinear mixing model (MLM) pixel by pixel; (3) Optimal Selection , selecting the optimal combination according to RMSE and outputting corresponding canopy abundance A f . Taking sorghum and rice as study objects, this study collected UAV multispectral images and field-measured FAPAR at multiple periods to validate the advantages of VE-MLM. The results demonstrated that compared to fixed-endmembers and linear/bilinear mixing models, VE-MLM always achieved excellent unmixing performance, effectively quantifying canopy contributions. The derived A f mitigated the saturation and background interference that commonly existed in VI-based regression models and exhibited a higher correlation with FAPAR (sorghum: R 2 = 0.900, rRMSE = 7.753%; rice: R 2 = 0.807, rRMSE = 2.200%). In conclusion, VE-MLM has a great potential to address spectral variability, dynamic changes, and scene complexity in crop growth scenarios, providing a more accurate and generalizable approach for sorghum and rice FAPAR estimation in precision agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像から作物キャノピーのFAPARを推定するスペクトルアンミキシング手法を開発し、ソルガムとイネで実測値により検証しており、植物表現型取得が中心である。

abstractThis study proposed an adaptive spectral unmixing framework VE-MLM for the multi-layer mixed scenarios

Synthesizing crop modelling and deep learning for remote estimation of wheat biomass dynamics from multispectral and weather observations →

Improving crop productivity while maintaining low environmental impact is essential for sustainable food production under increasing population pressure and irreversible climate changes. Dynamic biomass prediction is critical for effective crop growth monitoring and management, yet existing approaches struggle to provide consistent and reasonable predictions across diverse environments in a rapid, economic, and practical manner. Here, we propose SpecWeaNet, a biophysics-informed neural network framework that integrates explicit biophysical principles governing biomass accumulation with implicit mechanisms learned from representative training data. The framework enables dynamic prediction of wheat biomass from sowing to harvest using daily weather data and limited in-season spectral observations, without requiring model recalibration. From a systematic perspective, SpecWeaNet is designed as a flexible framework, from which we further developed three ready-to-use pre-trained variants with different input configurations tailored to commonly used sensors. Our comprehensive evaluation demonstrates the robustness and generalizability of pre-trained models for seasonal prediction of biomass dynamics from non-daily spectral observations (with random interval between two consecutive observations) and daily weather data, with coefficient of determination (R 2 ) higher than 0.99, relative mean absolute error (RMAE) within 26% and relative root mean square error (RRMSE) within 35% on more than 250,000 in-silico simulation scenarios across diverse environmental conditions, including different years, geographical locations, and crop varieties. Furthermore, validation on multiple field experiments showcases the capability of pre-trained models to provide reliable predictions at both trial (R 2 = 0.77–0.88, RMAE = 20–26%, RRMSE = 29–40%) and plot (R 2 = 0.83–0.93, RMAE = 12–19%, RRMSE = 15–26%) scales, utilizing daily weather observations and available satellite or drone-based imagery. This work demonstrates how integrating crop modelling with artificial intelligence can enable scalable estimation of crop biomass dynamics, advancing remote sensing–based crop phenotyping and monitoring for sustainable agricultural systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsSpecWeaNetは気象・スペクトル観測からコムギのバイオマス動態を推定する計算フェノタイピング手法であり、モデル開発、シミュレーション評価、複数圃場での検証が中心である。

abstractwe propose SpecWeaNet, a biophysics-informed neural network framework that integrates explicit biophysical principles governing biomass accumulation with implicit mechanisms learned from representative training data.

Assessing UAV imagery and high-resolution LiDAR for tree height estimation: The role of flight speed and image overlap →

Tree height is a fundamental attribute in ecological research and commercial forestry, serving as a key indicator of site productivity. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with RGB cameras and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors offer a cost- and time-efficient alternative to traditional field-based, satellite, and manned aircraft methods for tree height measurement. The objectives of this study are: (1) to evaluate the effects of UAV flight speed and image overlap on data quality, mission efficiency, and processing requirements; (2) to compare the performance of Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry and LiDAR in generating canopy height models (CHMs); and (3) to quantify the accuracy of UAV-derived tree height estimates relative to field measurements and identify optimal flight configurations. Three flight speeds (10, 15, and 20 mph) and four forward/side overlap levels (50%, 60%, 70%, and 80%) were tested, with UAV-derived height estimates validated against 920 field-measured trees. Both datasets were processed in ArcGIS Pro to produce canopy height models (CHMs), RGB imagery via Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, and LiDAR data from laser-scanned point clouds. Orthomosaic quality was assessed using tie point density, reprojection error, ground resolution, image georeferencing deviation, Global Positioning System (GPS) root mean squared error (RMSE), and block adjustment success, while LiDAR point cloud quality was evaluated using point density (pts/m 2 ) and height percentiles (P25, P50, P75, P95). Height estimation accuracy for both sensors was quantified using the coefficient of determination (R 2 ), RMSE, and Bias. Results indicate that image overlap exerted a stronger and more consistent influence than flight speed across all dimensions of mission efficiency, data volume, and processing time. Flight duration more than doubled and image counts increased sixfold when overlap increased from 50:50 to 80:80. Higher overlaps improved orthomosaic continuity, tie point density, reprojection accuracy, and CHM quality, though at the cost of longer processing times, greater storage demands, and increased computational requirements. LiDAR point density similarly increased with overlap, yielding smoother CHMs at ≥70% overlap, while height percentiles remained stable across configurations. In terms of accuracy, UAV imagery at 10 mph with 80:80 overlap achieved the best photogrammetric performance (R 2 ≈ 0.60, RMSE = 4.5 m, Bias = 4.3 m), though all imagery-derived estimates exhibited systematic height underestimation. LiDAR-derived heights were substantially more robust across all flight configurations, with the best performance at 10 mph and 80:80 overlap (R 2 ≈ 0.89, RMSE < 1.5 m, Bias < 0.5 m). These findings demonstrate that higher overlap, particularly at moderate flight speeds, substantially enhances data quality and tree height estimation accuracy, offering practical guidance for optimizing UAV-based forest inventory workflows.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像・LiDARによる個体樹高推定を中心に、飛行条件、SfMとLiDARの比較、920本の実測木による精度検証を行っており、植物形質取得手法の技術評価が主目的である。

abstractThe objectives of this study are: (1) to evaluate the effects of UAV flight speed and image overlap on data quality, mission efficiency, and processing requirements; (2) to compare the performance of Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry and LiDAR in generating canopy height models (CHMs); and (3) to quantify the accuracy of UAV-derived tree height estimates relative to field measurements and identify optimal flight configurations.

Improving maize LAI estimation by integrating multispectral imagery and digital surface models with ensemble learning. →

To overcome the limitations of single remote-sensing features in estimating maize canopy leaf area index (LAI), this study developed a UAV-based estimation approach by integrating multispectral vegetation indices (VIs) with digital surface model (DSM) features and stacking ensemble learning. Field experiments were conducted in Dehong, Yunnan Province, China, during 2023-2024, and UAV multispectral images and DSM products were acquired for maize grown under three planting-density treatments. Five vegetation indices and three DSM-derived texture/structural features were retained according to their correlation with measured LAI, statistical significance, and complementary spectral or structural information. The VI-based random forest (VI-RF) model achieved an R 2 of 0.835 and an NRMSE of 9.5%, whereas the DSM-based model showed lower performance (R 2 = 0.641; NRMSE = 14.2%). Under the same random-forest modeling framework, fusing VIs with DSM features improved the overall model performance to R 2 = 0.892 and NRMSE = 7.6%, indicating that DSM-derived structural information mainly enhanced the feature representation of maize LAI. Using the same VI-DSM feature set, the stacking model with support vector machine (SVM) as the meta-learner further improved the overall performance to R 2 = 0.930 and NRMSE = 6.3%. The additional gain from stacking was moderate but consistent, whereas feature fusion contributed the dominant improvement. The combined VI-DSM-Stacking workflow improved prediction stability across planting densities, especially under low- and high-density canopy conditions where soil background interference and spectral saturation were more evident. These results demonstrate that integrating spectral and DSM-derived structural information with stacking ensemble learning can improve the accuracy and robustness of UAV-based maize LAI estimation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像・DSM・アンサンブル学習を統合し、トウモロコシのLAI推定法を開発・比較検証しており、表現型取得・推定手法が研究の中心である。

abstractthis study developed a UAV-based estimation approach by integrating multispectral vegetation indices (VIs) with digital surface model (DSM) features and stacking ensemble learning

Improved plant leaf disease detection architecture using unmanned aerial vehicle images and hybrid YOLOv11 →

Plant diseases affect crop quality and quantity, which significantly reduces crop production. Grapes are a popular fruit, and pumpkin is a widely consumed vegetable in the world. Early detection of grape and pumpkin leaf disease is crucial to avoiding large losses in crop quality and yield. Even though the use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing can assist in reaching a broader scale for plant leaf disease identification, the work of detection is significantly hampered by the overlapping leaves, and blurring of UAV images. This paper suggests combining object detection techniques with Real-World Enhanced Super-Resolution Generative Adversarial Network (Real-ESRGAN) for enhancing image quality to detect grape and pumpkin leaf diseases in UAV-captured images. The Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP) technique is incorporated into YOLOv11 architecture to enhance the network’s feature representation capabilities by efficiently incorporating depth-wise separable convolutions and dilated convolutions with different rates. The proposed approach has shown remarkable effectiveness. In the validation, the ASPP-YOLOv11 outperforms the baseline YOLOv11 architecture in precision achieving 84% with 5.2% increase, 94.7% with 3.3% increase in mAP50, and 74% with 0.9% increase in mAP50-95. Additionally, in the testing set the ASPP architecture significantly enhances mAP50 to 91.6%, attaining 1.6% gain and obtaining 1.6% increase in mAP50-95.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から植物葉の病害を推定する画像解析アーキテクチャを開発し、既存モデルと性能比較しており、植物病害状態の取得方法が中心である。

abstractThis paper suggests combining object detection techniques with Real-World Enhanced Super-Resolution Generative Adversarial Network (Real-ESRGAN) for enhancing image quality to detect grape and pumpkin leaf diseases in UAV-captured images.

Genomic selection for nitrogen use efficiency in perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) under field conditions →

Abstract Background Improving the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of pastures has the benefit of reducing costs of production and reducing nitrogen loss to the environment. Genetic variation has been shown to exist for NUE, and hence NUE is a trait for breeding programs. Methods In this study, we develop genomic selection methods for NUE in perennial ryegrass through developing high‐throughput sensor‐based phenotyping and genotyping by sequencing (GBS) technologies. NUE of an advanced perennial ryegrass breeding population was screened in a spaced plant field trial which contained 644 genotypes, 3 nitrogen treatment levels (0, 20, and 40 kg ha −1 per application), and 3 replicates. The trial was conducted for 2 years with a total of 6 nitrogen applications. An unmanned aerial system (UAS) equipped with multispectral sensors was deployed weekly over the trial. Approximately 4–5 weeks after nitrogen fertilizer application, 75–675 selected samples were cut for ground truthing. Prediction models for biomass were developed based on spectral and ground truth data and biomass for each plant was computed. Plants were genotyped by GBS transcriptomics. Results NUE, defined as biomass production per unit of N application, varied significantly with N application level, season and among genotypes. Moderate broad‐sense heritability (0.61–0.72) for NUE was observed. Genomic prediction accuracies were in the range of 0.3–0.5. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that genomic selection for NUE was possible. The genomic prediction developed in these advanced breeding lines may be tested in other genetic backgrounds. The technologies are ready to be extended into other perennial pasture grass species.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUASマルチスペクトルセンシングと予測モデルによるバイオマス推定を開発し、NUE表現型の高スループット取得に用いており、フェノタイピング手法が中心的である。

abstractwe develop genomic selection methods for NUE in perennial ryegrass through developing high‐throughput sensor‐based phenotyping

UAV multispectral to hyperspectral reconstruction based on deep learning and radiative transfer models for crop nitrogen monitoring →

• Proposed a multispectral to hyperspectral reconstruction framework M2H–SWIR. • The M2H–SWIR framework integrates the PROSAIL and deep learning. • M2H–SWIR reconstructs VNIR multispectral to full-range hyperspectral (400–2500 nm) • Reconstructed SWIR bands enhance UAV-based canopy nitrogen mapping accuracy. • M2H–SWIR outperforms traditional PROSAIL inversion for canopy nitrogen estimation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトルからハイパースペクトルを再構成し、作物キャノピー窒素を推定する手法が研究の中心であり、植物形質の取得・推定方法を開発している。

abstractProposed a multispectral to hyperspectral reconstruction framework M2H–SWIR.

Predicting complex phenotypes using multi-omics data in maize. →

Understanding and predicting complex traits in plants remains a fundamental challenge due to the emergent nature of most phenotypes and their dependence on genetic, regulatory, and environmental interactions. Accurate prediction of traits and identification of underlying genetic elements have broad applications for plant breeding, systems biology, and biotechnology. Here, we tested if multi-omic datasets could improve predictive accuracy of 129 diverse maize phenotypes across 9 environments using genomic markers, field-based transcriptomic data from 2 locations, and drone-derived phenomic data of vegetative indices. We trained and compared linear (rrBLUP) and nonlinear (support vector regression) models using single- and multi-omics inputs. Multi-omics models consistently outperformed single-omics models for most traits, with genomic and transcriptomic inputs contributing distinct biological features. Phenomic features alone yielded the lowest predictive power but improved predictions for specific trait categories like root architecture. Transcriptomic datasets enabled cross-environment prediction, demonstrating that gene expression patterns from one field site could accurately predict traits measured in another. Environment-specific expression of benchmark flowering time genes highlighted the value of transcriptomics in capturing genotype-by-environment (G × E) interactions not detectable through genomic data alone. Analysis of model feature weights further indicated that predictive signal is distributed across many genes, consistent with complex traits such as yield arising from coordinated, network-level processes rather than a small number of dominant loci. These findings demonstrate that integrating transcriptomic and phenomic data with genotypes enhances trait prediction, improves model generalizability across environments, and provides deeper insight into the genetic and regulatory architecture of agriculturally important traits in maize.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods複数オミクスとドローン由来フェノミックデータを統合し、植物形質を予測するモデルを比較・評価しており、形質推定ワークフローが研究の中心である。

abstractWe trained and compared linear (rrBLUP) and nonlinear (support vector regression) models using single- and multi-omics inputs.

Integration of Aerial Photogrammetry, UAV LiDAR and Terrestrial LiDAR Point Clouds for Individual Tree Measurement and Individual Tree Carbon Storage Estimation →

Urban forest carbon sequestration is vital for environmental health, climate change mitigation, and enhancing the quality of life in urban areas. This paper presents a framework for high density point clouds production by integrating point data from aerial photogrammetry, UAV-based LiDAR and terrestrial LiDAR for individual tree measurements and carbon storage estimation. The aerial photos, UAV-based LiDAR and terrestrial LiDAR were observed based on common ground control points and combined using Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm. The combined point cloud was iltered to separate ground points and normalized based on Digital Terrain Model (DTM). The normalized point cloud was used for individual tree segmentation from which individual tree measurements such as, tree height, Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and crown diameter were estimated. The estimated tree parameters were used for individual carbon estimation. The results show that the individual tree segmentation method signi icantly underestimated the number of trees. The estimation of DBH, tree height, and crown diameter achieved the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) value of 0.107m, 1.385m and 2.650m respectively. However, in general the estimates experience underestimation as shown by Mean Bias Error (MBE) with 0.003m, -0.636m and 0.001m for DBH, tree height and crown diameter respectively. The estimated values for each individual tree were used for individual tree biomass and carbon storage recording the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) at 1970.236 kg and 886.606 kgC respectively while attaining the Mean Bias Error (MBE) measure of 140.019 kg and 63.009 kgC each. The proposed framework showed promising results for individual tree carbon estimation. Nonetheless, further attention should be given on individual tree delineation process.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods航空写真、UAV・地上LiDARを統合し、個体樹木の分離と樹高・DBH・樹冠径を推定して精度評価する手法が中心であり、植物形質計測の技術的検証に該当する。

abstractThis paper presents a framework for high density point clouds production by integrating point data from aerial photogrammetry, UAV-based LiDAR and terrestrial LiDAR for individual tree measurements and carbon storage estimation.

An AI-Driven Multimodal Sensing Framework Integrating UAV Imagery and Environmental Sensors for Intelligent Farmland Monitoring. →

The utilization of multi-source sensing data to achieve intelligent perception and refined management of farmland has become a vital research direction in modern agriculture. However, traditional inspection approaches based solely on visual information are highly susceptible to illumination variations, occlusion, and background interference, which makes stable pest detection and accurate crop growth assessment difficult to achieve. To address these problems, we propose a multimodal target perception network for intelligent farmland inspection. By integrating UAV imagery, ground environmental sensor data, and spatial location information, joint perception of farmland pests, diseases, and crop growth status is achieved. In the proposed framework, cross-modal alignment and collaborative encoding mechanisms, a multi-scale target perception structure, and a dynamic multimodal fusion strategy are introduced to collaboratively model information within a unified semantic space. Experimental results on a constructed multimodal farmland dataset demonstrate that the proposed method achieved 87.53% Precision and 89.16% mAP in the pest and disease detection task, and 88.04% Accuracy in the crop growth assessment task, significantly outperforming several mainstream visual detection models and multimodal fusion approaches. The results indicate that this intelligent perception framework can significantly improve the robustness of farmland inspection systems, providing an effective technical pathway for AI-driven precision agriculture decision-making. This technology breaks the barrier between production-side sensing data and e-commerce demand, providing a practical technical solution for agricultural production-marketing synergy, quality premium realization and digital rural revitalization.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と環境センサーを統合し、作物の生育状態および病害を推定するマルチモーダル手法を開発・評価しており、植物表現型の取得が中心的な貢献である。

abstractBy integrating UAV imagery, ground environmental sensor data, and spatial location information, joint perception of farmland pests, diseases, and crop growth status is achieved.

Fusion of IoT Sensor Data and Image Processing for Comprehensive Crop Health Assessment →

Effective crop health monitoring requires the integration of heterogeneous data sources that capture both environmental conditions and crop-level responses. Conventional single-modality approaches, relying either on in-ground sensor measurements or aerial imagery in isolation, fail to exploit the complementary strengths of each technique, resulting in limited diagnostic accuracy and delayed intervention. This study proposes an integrated approach that fuses data acquired by IoT-connected sensor networks with multispectral images captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), enabling comprehensive crop health assessment across an entire field. Consider a system that deploys a network of sensors throughout a 2-hectare area to continuously watch the moisture and temperature, as well as other critical parameters, such as electrical conductivity, atmospheric humidity as well as the nutrient level in the soil. Simultaneously, a special UAV, a drone known as the DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral, take pictures of the field at five different spectral frequencies. However, the most interesting thing is the following: to do all this, the system relies on a special type of artificial intelligence known as a hybrid deep learning architecture. It resembles a twostep procedure, where the one section analyses the trends in the sensor data across time and is called one dimensional convolutional neural network, whereas the other section uses a pre-trained version of ResNet-50 and is responsible of making significant features of the images captured by the drone. Then, it is all unified with an eight-head multi-head attention mechanism, taking all the various kinds of data and forming a bigger picture. This will enable the system to memorize and establish relationships among the various kinds of data, which forms a potent source of knowledge and management of the field. The synchronized dataset comprised 2,520 data points collected over 120 days (April–August 2024), with 103 days of active data capture. The proposed hybrid deep learning architecture achieved a crop health classification accuracy of 94.5%, compared to 80% for conventional single-modality methods — a statistically significant improvement of 14.5 percentage points. The system classifies crop status into five categories: healthy, water stress, nutrient deficiency, disease, and pest infestation. The results demonstrate that cross-modal IoT–image fusion delivers earlier, more reliable diagnosis of crop stress conditions, enabling data-driven farm management decisions that support precision agriculture at scale.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像とIoTセンサーデータを融合し、作物の健康状態・ストレス状態を分類する深層学習手法が研究の中心であり、植物状態の取得・推定方法として適格。

abstractThis study proposes an integrated approach that fuses data acquired by IoT-connected sensor networks with multispectral images captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), enabling comprehensive crop health assessment across an entire field.

Evaluation of UAV Flight Altitude for Accurate Mangrove Canopy Height Estimation: A Case Study from Melgonze, Persian Gulf, Iran →

Abstract. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become valuable tools for high-resolution ecological monitoring, particularly in complex environments such as mangrove forests. This study investigates the impact of flight altitude on the accuracy of tree height estimation in the Melgonze mangrove forest, in southern Iran. Two UAV flights were conducted at altitudes of 100 meters and 150 meters using a DJI Phantom 4 Pro, and photogrammetric processing was performed using Agisoft Metashape. A total of 16 mangrove trees were measured in the field to provide ground-truth reference data. Canopy height models (CHMs) were generated from both UAV datasets and compared to the field measurements. Preliminary results indicate that the 100-meter flight achieved higher accuracy, with a lower root mean square error (RMSE =21.2 cm), Mean Absolute Error (18.94 cm), and a higher coefficient of determination (R² = 0.97) compared to the 150-meter flight (43.3 cm, 35 cm, and 0.92, respectively). These findings underscore the significance of flight altitude in UAV-based assessments of forest structure and offer practical guidelines for optimizing data acquisition in future mangrove mapping applications.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と写真測量によるマングローブ樹高推定を対象に、飛行高度が推定精度へ与える影響を実測値と比較検証しており、植物形質取得法の技術評価が中心である。

abstractThis study investigates the impact of flight altitude on the accuracy of tree height estimation in the Melgonze mangrove forest

WaveST-Yield: a novel spatio-temporal deep learning framework with frequency-domain refinement for UAV-based maize yield prediction. →

Accurate and generalizable plot-scale maize yield prediction is critical for precision agriculture and food security. While UAV-based multispectral remote sensing provides rich phenotyping data, existing yield prediction models often struggle with insufficient mining of complex spatio-temporal dynamics, ineffective separation of spatial details from background noise, and inadequate focus on yield-sensitive features throughout the crop growth cycle. To address these limitations, this study proposes WaveST-Yield, a novel hybrid deep learning framework tailored for multi-temporal multispectral data. The proposed model integrates three core modules: a Spatio-Temporal Phenology Encoder (SPE) based on ConvLSTM to capture the temporal dynamic patterns and spatio-temporal correlations across the entire growth period; a Multiscale Frequency-Spatial Refiner (MFSR) utilizing Haar Wavelet Downsampling (HWD) to preserve image details and decouple noise without early loss of key physiological features; and an Adaptive Yield-Sensitive Re-calibrator (AYSR) leveraging a 3D-CBAM attention mechanism to enhance the extraction of critical yield-related traits while suppressing background interference. The model was rigorously evaluated on two independent maize experimental fields using 5-fold cross-validation and cross-plot external validation. Results demonstrate that WaveST-Yield consistently outperforms traditional machine learning algorithms and single-structure deep learning models, achieving the highest prediction accuracy (Overall R² of 0.883 and 0.775 in Field 1 and Field 2, respectively) with superior error control. Extensive ablation and multi-model comparison experiments confirm that the synergistic integration of spatio-temporal encoding, frequency-domain refinement, and 3D attention mechanisms significantly improves model robustness and cross-regional generalization ability. This study provides a highly accurate, robust, and generalizable methodological framework for high-throughput crop yield monitoring.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル時系列からトウモロコシ収量を推定する深層学習フレームワークの開発と、独立圃場・交差検証による技術評価が研究の中心である。

abstractthis study proposes WaveST-Yield, a novel hybrid deep learning framework tailored for multi-temporal multispectral data.

Comparison of Unmanned Aircraft System–based Photogrammetry and Light Detection and Ranging for Pecan Tree Height Estimation →

While unmanned aircraft system (UAS)-based photogrammetry and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) are increasingly used for canopy height estimation in forestry and other orchard systems, their application to pecan orchards remains limited. Accurate measurements of tree height and canopy structure are essential in pecan production for assessing tree growth and health, and for supporting precision orchard management. This study provides one of the first systematic evaluations of UAS-based structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry and UAS-mounted LiDAR for estimating pecan tree height. A rotary-wing UAS equipped with RGB and near-infrared (NIR) cameras collected imagery at 60 and 120 m aboveground over two pecan orchards containing 480 and 308 trees, and LiDAR data were acquired at 70 m. UAS imagery was processed to generate three-dimensional (3D) point clouds, digital surface models (DSMs), digital terrain models (DTMs), and orthomosaics. DTMs were derived using point cloud classification and DSM filtering, and tree heights were calculated relative to these terrain models using canopy height models (CHMs) and point cloud–based approaches. LiDAR data were processed to produce calibrated point clouds, DSMs, and DTMs, from which tree heights were extracted using comparable methods. Image-based tree heights showed strong agreement with manual measurements, with point cloud–derived high percentiles or maxima [ R 2 = 0.982–0.996; root mean square error (RMSE) = 14 to 25 cm] consistently outperforming CHM-based estimates across ground elevation methods, camera types, and flight altitudes. LiDAR-derived tree heights exhibited similarly high accuracy. Image-based and LiDAR-derived heights were strongly correlated across all trees at 120 m ( R 2 = 0.982–0.995; RMSE = 18–25 cm), confirming the reliability of SfM photogrammetry. However, incomplete canopy reconstruction in some 60 m datasets led to underestimation, highlighting the importance of sufficient image overlap for accurate 3D canopy modeling. These results demonstrate that UAS image-based point clouds can provide pecan tree heights comparable to LiDAR, offering a cost-effective approach for tree growth monitoring, orchard management, and precision agriculture applications.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAS画像測量とLiDARを用いた pecan 樹高推定法を系統的に比較・検証しており、植物形態形質の取得が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study provides one of the first systematic evaluations of UAS-based structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry and UAS-mounted LiDAR for estimating pecan tree height.

Estimation of Ramie Key Phenotypic Traits Based on UAV Remote Sensing →

UAV-based phenotyping enables efficient high-throughput measurement of field crops. Phenotypic monitoring of ramie is critical for its cultivation management and variety breeding. However, ramie exhibits characteristics including multiple annual harvests, short growth cycles and rapid dynamic growth change, all of which increase the difficulty of growth monitoring and yield estimation. This study aims to utilize UAV-based multispectral remote sensing to estimate ramie plant height (PH), leaf area index (LAI), and above-ground biomass (AGB) over multiple time series, and to assess the influence of seasonal effects and different data processing strategies on the accuracy of ramie digital phenotyping. Over three ramie growth cycles, a total of 15 UAV flights were conducted over an experimental field consisting of 72 plots. The structure from motion (SfM) algorithm was applied to estimate PH. Remote sensing features derived from UAV imagery were used with background segmentation and machine learning to estimate LAI. The AGB was estimated by combining remote sensing-derived PH, LAI, and climate data. The results showed that the estimated and measured phenotypes were highly correlated, with optimal coefficients of determination of 0.961 for PH and 0.873 for LAI. Background segmentation improved LAI accuracy. Integrating climate data, remote sensing-derived PH and LAI significantly enhanced the accuracy of AGB estimation. In conclusion, this study provides a feasible method for extracting ramie phenotypes from UAV remote sensing imagery, providing methodological support for large-scale management of the crop industry and intelligent, precise monitoring of crop growth.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像、SfM、背景分割、機械学習を用いてラムーの草丈・LAI・地上部バイオマスを推定し、精度評価まで行う手法研究であり、表現型取得・抽出が中心である。

abstractThis study aims to utilize UAV-based multispectral remote sensing to estimate ramie plant height (PH), leaf area index (LAI), and above-ground biomass (AGB) over multiple time series, and to assess the influence of seasonal effects and different data processing strategies on the accuracy of ramie digital phenotyping.

Smart Farming with Deep Learning: CNN-Based Crop Disease Detection Using Drone Imaging and IoT →

Plant diseases represent a major challenge to global food security, often resulting in severe yield reductions if not detected and controlled promptly. This work introduces an AI-based framework that integrates deep learning, drone-assisted imaging, and IoT-enabled real-time monitoring for effective disease detection and management. A convolutional neural network (CNN) is trained on crop leaf image datasets to accurately classify different disease types. The system is further equipped with a mobile application and cloud-based alert service to support timely farmer interventions. Experimental evaluation demonstrates a classification accuracy exceeding 95% and reliable alert generation, underscoring the system's potential as a scalable solution for precision agriculture and smart farming.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物葉画像から病害状態を分類するCNN・ドローン画像・IoT監視システムが研究の中心であり、植物病害の表現型を直接推定する方法として評価されている。

abstractThis work introduces an AI-based framework that integrates deep learning, drone-assisted imaging, and IoT-enabled real-time monitoring for effective disease detection and management.

Predicting wheat yield and grain quality with UAV multispectral imagery and deep learning. →

Bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is a major staple crop, and timely, in-season prediction of grain yield (GY) and grain quality traits, grain protein content (GP), and grain test weight (TW), is critical for informed management and field-based high-throughput phenotyping (HTP). Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) remote sensing, coupled with artificial intelligence and deep learning (DL), offers a practical pathway for rapid, plot-scale trait estimation. Here, we investigate the value of multitemporal, multispectral UAV imagery for predicting winter wheat GY, GP, and TW, and we systematically compare two modeling paradigms: (1) handcrafted feature-based workflows that use plot-aggregated spectral and texture descriptors derived from UAV imagery, and (2) image-based, end-to-end workflows that learn directly from plot-level reflectance image chips. During the 2022 growing season, multispectral UAV data were collected repeatedly over seven experimental wheat sites in South Dakota, USA. For handcrafted feature-based modeling, we evaluated Support Vector Regression (SVR) and Random Forest Regression (RFR), along with DL models including a feedforward Deep Neural Network (DNN) and a one-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (1D-CNN). For end-to-end image-based modeling, we implemented 2D-CNN, 3D-CNN, and a hybrid 2D-CNN–LSTM architecture to leverage both spatial information and multi-date dependencies. Our results show that: 1) the image-based modeling workflow yielded comparable to slightly better performance than the handcrafted feature-based modeling workflow across wheat GY, GP, and TW predictions; 2) 3D-CNN outperformed all other methods with R 2 of 0.65, 0.61 and 0.69 for GY, GP and TW estimations, respectively; 3) multitemporal UAV data outperformed the data collected from a single growth stage; and UAV data from wheat Feekes 10 (booting) stage yielded slightly better estimation results compared to the data collected from other growing stages, with R 2 of 0.62, 0.55, and 0.62 for GY, GP, and TW estimations, respectively. The results indicate that DL applied to high-resolution multitemporal and multispectral UAV imagery holds strong promise for predicting winter wheat yield and grain quality during the growing season, while also informing HTP efforts and site-specific management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像から収量・品質形質を推定するワークフローを開発・比較・評価しており、植物表現型取得が研究の中心である。

abstractwe systematically compare two modeling paradigms: (1) handcrafted feature-based workflows that use plot-aggregated spectral and texture descriptors derived from UAV imagery, and (2) image-based, end-to-end workflows that learn directly from plot-level reflectance image chips.

UAV‐based deep transfer learning to improve grain yield prediction in winter wheat across temporal and spatial variability →

Abstract Accurate prediction of grain yield (GY) remains a major challenge in plant breeding due to complex interactions between genotype, environment, and management (G × E × M) factors. Remote sensing data from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with multispectral sensors have emerged as a pivotal resource for high‐throughput phenotyping. In this study, we applied a deep transfer learning (DTL) approach to enhance GY prediction using UAV‐derived spectral and textural traits across multiple environments and developmental stages of winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.). The model's transferability and generalizability were evaluated across years, locations, nurseries, and stage‐specific scenarios. We employed fine‐tuning, which involves retraining a pretrained one‐dimensional convolutional neural network (1D‐CNN) model on scenario‐specific target data to enhance generalizability. Fine‐tuning was tested with 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of the target data to identify an optimal balance between model accuracy and adaptation, and compared with 1D‐CNN without DTL (baseline model). In cross‐year predictions, the baseline model (from 2022) performed poorly ( R 2 = −2.9 in 2023), while DTL improved prediction to an R 2 of 0.83 with 20% fine‐tuning, demonstrating strong temporal adaptability. Similarly, in cross‐location scenarios, baseline model performance was poor ( R 2 ranging from −15.3 to −0.4) but improved to 0.29–0.69 with 40% fine‐tuning. Stage‐specific predictions benefited most at Feekes stages 10.5 and 11, where DTL achieved an R 2 of 0.78 and 0.82, respectively, compared to baseline model R 2 values near 0. These results demonstrate that DTL improves model transferability and generalizability, increasing prediction accuracy and offering a resource‐efficient tool to accelerate selection for complex and labor‐intensive traits in modern breeding programs.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像から抽出した植物形質を用い、深層転移学習による穀粒収量予測の汎化性・転移性を検証しており、表現型取得・推定ワークフローが中心である。

abstractRemote sensing data from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with multispectral sensors have emerged as a pivotal resource for high‐throughput phenotyping.

Remote evaluation of rice nitrogen utilization efficiency using chlorophyll-related spectral indices derived from unmanned aerial vehicle imagery. →

Introduction Nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) directly reflects the efficiency of nitrogen remobilization to grains, serving as a key indicator of yield formation and environmental performance. However, conventional methods for assessing NUtE rely on destructive sampling and laboratory analysis, which are labor-intensive and time-consuming, whereas most existing remote sensing studies estimate NUtE by directly regressing spectral features against the final efficiency value without decomposing it into its underlying physiological components. Methods This study developed a remote-sensing-based indicator of rice NUtE based on chlorophyll-related vegetation indices at key rice growth stages, termed the Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency-Vegetation Index (NUtE-VI). NUtE showed a close and near-linear relationship with the ratio of panicle nitrogen accumulation from heading to dough stage (ΔPNA dough-heading , sink indicator) to leaf nitrogen accumulation at booting stage (LNA booting , source indicator). Therefore, with multi-site field experiments across different rice cultivars and nitrogen treatments, this study employed unmanned aerial vehicle imaging to accurately estimate rice leaf and panicle nitrogen accumulations, enabling rapid, large-scale evaluation of rice NUtE. Results This proposed index showed a strong correlation with measured NUtE (R 2 = 0.72, rRMSE = 10.84%) and effectively captured the distinct patterns of NUtE across different nitrogen treatments and cultivars. Discussion Our developed indicator is generalizable across diverse conditions for high-throughput selection of nitrogen-efficient cultivars and precision nitrogen management in sustainable agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像とスペクトル指標からイネの窒素利用効率を推定する手法を開発し、多地点・品種・施肥条件で精度評価しており、植物形質の取得・推定法が中心である。

abstractThis study developed a remote-sensing-based indicator of rice NUtE based on chlorophyll-related vegetation indices at key rice growth stages, termed the Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency-Vegetation Index (NUtE-VI).

Multi-Context Validation of Global Fractional Vegetation Cover Products in Croplands Using Multi-Source Crop FVC References →

Fractional Vegetation Cover of Crops (CropFVC) is a critical canopy parameter for monitoring crop growth, yet the behavior of widely used global FVC products (GLASS, GEOV1, GEOV2, and GEOV3) over croplands remains insufficiently understood due to fragmented validation references and limited crop-specific assessments. This study compiled a multi-source global CropFVC reference dataset (2000–2024) by integrating five international validation networks, the literature-derived samples, and newly acquired UAV and Jilin-1 satellite-derived CropFVC samples from China in 2024. The references were organized into three complementary validation contexts (V1~V3) to examine product behavior under different temporal coverage, crop purity, and reference conditions, together with spatio-temporal observations at the KONZ site. Results show that (1) across validation contexts, the evaluated products showed consistent behavior patterns, including shared overestimation under dense canopy conditions and reduced differences at low FVC levels; (2) spatio-temporal analysis at the KONZ site confirmed that peak-season deviations reflect shared response behavior rather than site-specific reference uncertainties; (3) historical mixed references (V1~V2) showed similar bias structures, whereas crop-specific validation (V3) preliminary revealed clearer crop-dependent responses, with predictive difficulty following winter wheat > maize > rice > soybean and improved stability after integrating 2024 observations. The integration of recent high-resolution crop observations expands existing global CropFVC references and enables behavior-oriented interpretation of global FVC products beyond simple accuracy ranking, providing an updated validation perspective for future development and application of global CropFVC products in agricultural monitoring.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods作物キャノピーのFVCという植物形質を対象に、複数の全球FVC推定プロダクトを多様な参照データで体系的に検証し、UAV・衛星観測を含むCropFVC参照データセットを構築している。形質取得・検証が研究の中心である。

titleMulti-Context Validation of Global Fractional Vegetation Cover Products in Croplands Using Multi-Source Crop FVC References

An Automated Information Processing Framework for UAV-Based Detection and Spatial Mapping of Crop Damage Using Deep Learning →

The early detection and spatial characterization of crop damage are critical for improving decision-making in precision agriculture, particularly in regions where traditional monitoring methods are limited in scalability and objectivity. This study presents an integrated information processing framework that couples UAV-based image acquisition, instance segmentation, slicing-aided inference of large orthomosaics, and georeferenced spatial analysis into a single reproducible pipeline for the detection and mapping of crop damage. The framework is applied to maize cultivated under traditional milpa systems in Yucatán, Mexico, a region characterized by intercropping, irregular plant spacing, and complex backgrounds rarely represented in mainstream agricultural deep learning benchmarks. High-resolution RGB images were systematically acquired over maize fields in Yucatán, Mexico, and curated into specialized datasets representing parcels, individual plants, and damaged vegetation. Instance segmentation models based on the YOLOv11 architecture were trained and evaluated to extract visual information related to crop condition, while the Slicing-Aided Hyper Inference (SAHI) method was integrated to enable efficient processing of large orthomosaic images. The proposed framework achieved high performance in detecting maize plants, with a precision of 92.9% and an mAP50 of 94.2%, and demonstrated reliable identification of damage patterns associated with Spodoptera frugiperda, reaching a precision of 79.2% and an mAP50 of 71.7%. The resulting georeferenced outputs provide spatially explicit information that supports quantitative analysis of crop health and damage distribution. The results indicate that the proposed framework constitutes a scalable and reproducible approach for UAV-based visual information extraction, with potential applicability to broader agricultural monitoring and data-driven decision support systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像、インスタンスセグメンテーション、SAHIを統合し、作物の損傷状態を抽出・定量化する再現可能な手法が研究の中心であり、性能評価も実施している。

abstractThis study presents an integrated information processing framework that couples UAV-based image acquisition, instance segmentation, slicing-aided inference of large orthomosaics, and georeferenced spatial analysis into a single reproducible pipeline for the detection and mapping of crop damage.

Delay Efficient Federated Learning based Plant Disease Detection and Monitoring (DFLPDDM) in Agricultural Fields: A UAV-IoT Environment →

Plant disease detection, monitoring and smart spraying using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Internet of Things (UAV-IoT) environment, has become extremely important in precision agriculture, this has to be performed in delay efficient manner so that prompt action can be taken to save as many plants as possible. Energy efficiency is an added advantage that incorporates sustainability in thesolution. However, to the best of authors knowledge, articles in relevant literature have neglected the concept of security which is indispensable if different regions of a big agricultural land belong to different owners and they want to keep their land status information confidential. In this article, we propose a delay efficient federated learning-based plant disease detection and monitoring scheme (DFLPDDM) that utilizes the concept of transmitting gradients among untrusted UAV’s and transmitting data among trusted UAVs to ensure security and confidentiality. Also, mechanisms are proposed to incorporate delay and energy efficiency to improve overall performance effectiveness of the system. Simulation results shows that DFLPDDM produce much better performance compared to many other state-of-the-art agricultural field monitoring algorithms.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物病害状態の検出・監視を対象に、UAV-IoTと連合学習を組み合わせた技術を提案しており、病害フェノタイプの取得・推定手法が中心である。

abstractwe propose a delay efficient federated learning-based plant disease detection and monitoring scheme (DFLPDDM)

COMBINED SYSTEM FOR PLANT DISEASE MONITORING USING UAVS, GROUND ROBOTIC PLATFORMS, AND NEURAL NETWORK-BASED IMAGE ANALYSIS →

This paper addresses the problem of automated monitoring of agricultural crop diseases under field conditions using unmanned aerial vehicles. It is shown that most existing solutions are primarily focused on disease detection from individual images. In contrast, issues such as further diagnosis refinement, repeated inspection of problematic areas, and subsequent action determination after disease detection are considered much less frequently. Stem-type diseases, in particular sclerotinia, pose an additional challenge, as top-view imaging alone may not detect early infection signs promptly. On this basis, a proposed automated system combines a UAV for primary inspection, subsequent georeferencing of the point of interest, a ground module for additional follow-up inspection in the case of stem-type diseases, and a central computing module for data processing and decision-making regarding the treatment of infected areas. This approach enables combining rapid aerial inspection of large areas with more accurate follow-up inspection of plants from a side view, which is especially important for diagnosing lesions that are poorly visualized from above. As part of the experimental study, a prototype classifier based on the EfficientNetV2S convolutional neural network and the transfer learning approach was implemented. To improve training quality, image augmentation and a pseudo-negative sample generation method were applied. The obtained results confirmed the potential of convolutional neural networks for automated plant condition classification, as well as the feasibility of combining aerial imaging and ground-based follow-up inspection within a unified monitoring system. The proposed approach can serve as a basis for the further development of an intelligent system for the detection and localized treatment of disease foci under field conditions within the framework of precision agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV・地上ロボット・画像解析を統合し、植物病害の病変・状態を画像から分類するシステムの開発が中心であり、植物の疾病状態を対象とする実質的なフェノタイピング手法である。

abstracta proposed automated system combines a UAV for primary inspection, subsequent georeferencing of the point of interest, a ground module for additional follow-up inspection in the case of stem-type diseases, and a central computing module for data processing and decision-making regarding the treatment of infected areas.

LiDAR-Guided Semantic 3D Gaussian Splatting for Forest Digital Twins →

Forest digital twins play a crucial role in modern precision forestry by supporting biomass estimation and carbon cycle monitoring. However, existing 3D reconstruction methods struggle to simultaneously achieve metric-level structural accuracy and visual realism in complex understory environments. This study proposes a semantically constrained 3D Gaussian Splatting framework that fuses handheld LiDAR point clouds with unmanned aerial vehicle imagery. First, a multi-modal fusion mechanism is constructed to extract geometric anchors from registered LiDAR data for precise 3DGS spatial initialization, which mitigates rendering artifacts and geometric drift caused by poor initialization in purely visual methods. Second, a semantic regularization optimization strategy is proposed to realize differentiated modeling of tree trunks and canopies, effectively balancing the structural accuracy of rigid trunks and the photorealistic rendering of non-rigid canopies. Experiments conducted on three study plots demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves an average PSNR of 24.94 dB, SSIM of 0.773, and LPIPS of 0.231 across all plots, outperforming standard NeRF and baseline 3DGS, while enabling DBH estimation with R2 = 0.848 and RMSE = 2.705 cm. This method provides a solution for high-fidelity forest digital twin construction in open-canopy forest environments such as urban and campus forests.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDAR・UAV画像を統合した3D再構成法を開発し、樹幹・樹冠の構造モデル化とDBH推定を評価しており、植物形質取得が中心的な技術貢献である。

abstractThis study proposes a semantically constrained 3D Gaussian Splatting framework that fuses handheld LiDAR point clouds with unmanned aerial vehicle imagery.

Discovering genetic loci associated with rate of vegetative index gain using UAV-based phenomics in spring wheat →

In wheat, the pre-heading stage determines spikelet formation, floret fertility, and canopy development, making it a critical window for early stress detection and yield potential. The genetic basis of pre-heading canopy development in wheat has remained constrained by the conventional phenotyping due to the low temporal resolution. Here, we quantified the rate of vegetation index gain (RVIs) during tillering to heading stages using UAV-mounted multispectral sensor in 196 spring wheat cultivars representing 112 years of breeding history. RVIs were calculated using six vegetation indices for consecutive two growing seasons, and genome wide association study (GWAS) was performed on RVIs, grain yield (GY) and thousand grain weight (TGW) using a wheat 37K SNP array. RVIs showed significant positive correlations with grain yield (r=0.28-0.43; p<0.001) and consistently increased in the modern cultivars compared to old cultivars. This indicated that resource remobilization during pre-heading canopy development significantly contributed to GY during modern wheat breeding. GWAS identified 67 loci, including 12 Group-I loci associated only with RVIs, and 18 Group-II loci associated with both RVIs and yield traits. Two stable loci on chr1B and chr5D consistently increased GY and RVIs across environments, and the tag SNPs were converted to selectable KASP markers. The allelic distribution on global wheat collection of ∼3000 accessions showcased that favorable alleles on both loci were dominant in cultivars compared to landraces. Similarly, favorable alleles showed more frequency in winter type than spring type. Across breeding eras both alleles showed increasing trend with chr5D reaching near fixation and chr1B remaining partially enriched in modern cultivars. Our work on capturing pre-heading canopy development, discovery of two stable loci underpinning yield and RVIs, and development of KASP markers provided a strong foundation to HTP assisted genetic dissection of GY and facilitated the understanding of canopy dynamics and yield formation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV搭載マルチスペクトルセンサーで生育期間中のキャノピー発達を定量化するフェノタイピング手法が、研究の主要なデータ取得・解析基盤として用いられている。

abstractwe quantified the rate of vegetation index gain (RVIs) during tillering to heading stages using UAV-mounted multispectral sensor

Towards precision agriculture for assessing germination rates and density of rice seedling using hierarchical convolutional neural network on drone imagery →

Rice is a significant food that plays a vital part in delivering nutrition to the world's population. Hence, approaches for assessing rice yield have received considerable study. The amount of rice seedlings (density) is a main agronomic module. It is related to harvest and also plays a significant part in the survival rate. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are prepared with lightweight sensors, which creates a substantial effect in the field of crop phenotyping. The UAV was effectively used to measure germination rates and density in an accurate and effective method that would otherwise be laborious and expensive to obtain when compared to manual valuation. In image processing, mainly over the applications of deep learning (DL) models, there was a notable academic search for the value of UAV images for varied agricultural monitoring tasks. This work develops a Rice Seedlings for Assessing Germination Rates and Density using Aerial Images with Hierarchical Deep Network (RSAGRD-AIHDN) model. The goal of this paper is to assess germination rates and seedling density in rice fields using remote sensing (RS) or UAV-based imaging techniques for improved crop establishment monitoring. To accomplish that, the image pre-processing stage is initially applied with dual stages, such as image acquisition and pre-processing, to ensure high-quality and consistent inputs. Furthermore, the RSAGRD-AIHDN model employs the ConvNeXt method for the feature extraction process. For rice seed detection and classification, the RSAGRD-AIHDN model implements ensemble models, namely stacked autoencoder (SAE), bidirectional temporal convolution network (BiTCN), and Deep Q-Learning (DQL). The experimental assessment of the RSAGRD-AIHDN method is performed under the aerial dataset of rice seedlings. The experimentation of the RSAGRD-AIHDN method portrayed a superior accuracy value of 98.68% over existing approaches.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と深層学習モデルを用いて、イネの発芽率と苗密度という植物形質を推定する手法を開発・評価しており、表現型取得が研究の中心である。

abstractThe UAV was effectively used to measure germination rates and density in an accurate and effective method

Explainable machine learning to predict root biomass of field crops using UAV multispectral data →

Understanding below-ground biomass dynamics is essential for improving crop performance in water-limited regions. Yet field-scale root monitoring remains constrained by destructive and labor-intensive sampling. This study presents explainable machine learning models to estimate root biomass of maize, millet, and sorghum using UAV multispectral imagery and key canopy phenotypic traits. Across 405 samples collected during the 2024 growing season, eight algorithms were evaluated, among which Random Forest and XGBoost achieved the highest predictive accuracy (R² = 0.763 for millet, 0.688 for maize, and 0.659 for sorghum). SHAP analysis revealed that leaf area was the dominant predictor across all crops, with 2-3 times greater influence than other traits, while leaf water content and chlorophyll-related parameters exhibited species-specific effects associated with drought adaptation. Under the conditions tested, these results suggest that UAV-based multispectral phenotyping, combined with interpretable machine learning, can enable non-destructive estimation of root biomass at the field scale. Within the limits of this single-site, single-season study, the approach demonstrates potential for large-scale root phenotyping and for supporting crop improvement in semi-arid regions. We quantify a 15-25% reduction in R² relative to above-ground trait prediction, which we term the 'cost of indirect inference'-highlighting the inherent challenge of estimating below-ground biomass from canopy-level data. These findings offer insights for precision agriculture, subject to broader validation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像と説明可能な機械学習を用いて根 biomass という植物形質を非破壊推定する手法が研究の中心であり、実証・比較評価も行っている。

abstractThis study presents explainable machine learning models to estimate root biomass of maize, millet, and sorghum using UAV multispectral imagery and key canopy phenotypic traits.

UAS-Based Analysis of a Black Locust Clone Trial →

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a key tree species globally and in Hungary, valued for its economic benefits, adaptability, and ecosystem services. Despite its invasiveness and susceptibility to frost damage, its high-quality timber and significant nectar production make it economically important. This research, conducted as a collaboration between the Hungarian Forest Research Institute and the University of Debrecen, aimed to evaluate the applicability of remote sensing technologies in supporting black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) research and monitoring efforts. A clonal trial established in 2020 in eastern Hungary aimed to assess the performance of newly bred black locust clones. Tree height was measured using both conventional ground-based methods and photogrammetric analysis of unmanned aerial system (UAS) data, enabling comparison between the two approaches. Tree vitality was evaluated through UAS-based multispectral analysis using vegetation indices, including NDVI, GNDVI, NDRE, and LCI. Our findings revealed no significant differences (p>0.05) between UAS-based and traditional height measurements, confirming UAS as a reliable tool. Clones »NK2« and »PL251« showed superior growth (height of 7.6 m and 7.4 m) and health, while »Üllői« cultivar performed the weakest (5.3 m). Strong correlations were found between some vegetation indices (NDRE and LCI) and tree heights (r=0.593 and r=0.587), emphasizing the potential of remote sensing in efficient forest management. This study highlights the value of integrating UAS technology in forestry, offering cost-effective, accurate and comprehensive data for improving black locust cultivation practices.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUASの写真測量・マルチスペクトル解析により樹高と樹体活力を推定し、地上測定との比較検証を行っており、植物表現型取得手法が中心的です。

abstractTree height was measured using both conventional ground-based methods and photogrammetric analysis of unmanned aerial system (UAS) data, enabling comparison between the two approaches.

Utilizing UAV-based multispectral imagery and convolutional neural networks for brix value prediction →

Sugarcane is one of the major crops cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Assessing crop maturity is important for optimizing harvest timing and improving yield. Conventional sugarcane maturity evaluations use agronomic characteristics, past trends, and eye inspections, which are labor-intensive and not precise, particularly over large plantations. Some sugarcane varieties mature to complete ripeness earlier than their expected maturity age, rendering physical observation inefficient and unsuitable. To address this point, this experimental research study introduces a novel, cost-effective approach using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with multispectral sensors to estimate sugarcane maturity through remote sensing and deep learning techniques. The primary objective is to develop an efficient deep learning-based classification system for identifying mature sugarcane fields from multispectral images gathered using UAVs. Pelwatte Lanka Sugar Company (Pvt) Ltd geo-referenced yield data were used together with multispectral imagery of 3–12-month-old plant-crop sugarcane fields from intermediate and dry regions. Fields were classed as ‘matured’ (Brix > 10) or ‘immatured’ (Brix ≤ 10) based on mean Brix values. Red, Red Edge, Green, Near-Infrared (NIR), and spectral bands and vegetation indices NDVI and NDRE were investigated. 17,256 images with a resolution of 200×200 pixels were utilized (2,876 for each band/index). The dataset was split between training and validation sets. Modeling was done in two phases: (1) comparison of the feature extractor and (2) constructing a specific Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). The proposed CNN achieved a maximum accuracy of 93% on NIR images, whereas Red, Green, Red Edge, NDVI, and NDRE achieved 84%, 81%, 76%, 69%, and 59% accuracy, respectively. The results indicated that the model can classify sugarcane maturity with a high level of accuracy, thus improving precision agriculture methods.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像とCNNによりサトウキビの成熟状態（Brixに基づく）を推定する手法の開発・評価が中心であり、植物状態の取得・抽出方法に該当する。

abstractintroduces a novel, cost-effective approach using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with multispectral sensors to estimate sugarcane maturity through remote sensing and deep learning techniques

Monitoring phosphorus content in winter wheat using feature fusion and feature selection from UAV remote sensing imagery. →

The rapid and accurate quantification of plant phosphorus (P) content is essential for the real-time assessment of crop P status and improvement of P fertilizer use efficiency. However, non-destructive and rapid approaches for P monitoring are limited. In this study, the feasibility of monitoring plant phosphorus content (PPC) in winter wheat was evaluated through multi-source feature fusion of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery based on a long-term field experiment with five P treatments. Multiple spectral features, including color indices (CIs), fractional vegetation cover (FVC), vegetation indices (VIs), texture features (TFs) and texture indices (TIs), were extracted from UAV RGB and multispectral images. Sensitive spectral features were systematically screened using Pearson correlation analysis, random forest (RF) importance ranking, and the Relief algorithm. Selected features were then fed into three machine learning models, RF, support vector machine (SVM), and k-nearest neighbor (KNN) to predict PPC. The results showed that GRI, VARI, MGRVI, TGI, NDRE, and CIred edge were highly correlated with PPC at the maturity stage (r = 0.96). Both TFs and TIs demonstrated stronger correlations with PPC at the 750 and 840 nm bands, with most TIs outperforming TFs, confirming the feasibility of spectral-based PPC estimation. Based on the selected input variables including DTI (450-Ent, 750-Mea), 840-Mea, and RVI, the SVM model achieved the best performance (R 2 c=0.94, RMSEc=0.29, RPDc=4.03; R 2 v=0.92, RMSEv=0.36, RPDv=3.48). These results highlight the potential of combining VIs, TFs, and TIs features for training machine learning models for PPC prediction, while the organ-level physiological explanations warrantee further investigations under controlled P gradients. This study provides data-driven insights for UAV-based monitoring of plant P nutritional status under local experimental conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から特徴量を抽出し、機械学習で冬コムギの植物リン含量という生理形質を推定する手法の開発・評価が中心であり、方法論的検証も実施している。

abstractMultiple spectral features, including color indices (CIs), fractional vegetation cover (FVC), vegetation indices (VIs), texture features (TFs) and texture indices (TIs), were extracted from UAV RGB and multispectral images.

High-throughput phenotyping for climate-resilient forests: integrating multi-sensor fusion and root-shoot dynamics. →

Climate change is increasing the frequency of compound drought and heat events, threatening forest stability worldwide. While genomics has helped identify resilient genotypes, our ability to characterize adaptive traits - phenotyping - has not kept pace. This creates a bottleneck: we can sequence trees faster than we can understand how they physically respond to stress. Moving away from single-sensor monitoring, the field is now embracing multi-sensor data fusion, in which thermal imaging, Solar-Induced Fluorescence (SIF), hyperspectral remote sensing, and LiDAR are combined on platforms ranging from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to ground-based robotic systems. These integrated approaches are proving effective for detecting physiological stress - such as changes in stomatal conductance - before visible damage appears. Deep learning models, meanwhile, are beginning to outperform traditional vegetation indices for specific tasks such as tree-crown segmentation and stress classification, although their performance remains constrained by overfitting, limited transferability, and domain shift across forest types in analyzing complex forest canopies. A major limitation remains, however: most high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) focuses on the canopy, largely ignoring the root system and the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC), which are critical for drought resilience. In this review, we argue that developing climate-resilient forests requires looking below the canopy. We propose a constraint-based framework that couples aerial sensor data with eco-hydrological approaches and process-based modeling to narrow the range of plausible root functional strategies-rather than to directly identify root phenotypes, while critically evaluating the assumptions and validation challenges inherent in this approach. Future research should focus on standardized protocols, open benchmark datasets, and Explainable AI (XAI) to strengthen the link between above-ground signals and below-ground traits.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物フェノタイピング手法を中心に、マルチセンサー融合、深層学習、検証課題、標準化・ベンチマークをレビューしているため。

abstractIn this review, we argue that developing climate-resilient forests requires looking below the canopy.

Sensing Plant Photosynthesis Using Solar-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence: From Chloroplasts to the Globe →

Photosynthesis is the fundamental biological process that introduced oxygen into Earth's atmosphere and continues to power life, from the earliest single-celled organisms to entire global ecosystems. Yet, measuring photosynthesis across scales has been challenging because traditional techniques have not transcended scales. The emergence of remote-sensing techniques to measure solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) provides a unique approach to estimate photosynthesis across spatiotemporal scales, representing a new age for optical remote sensing to study photosynthesis and shaping the decades of satellite SIF research. Here, focusing on spatiotemporal scales, we review the mechanisms that drive the relationship between SIF and photosynthesis. Remotely sensed SIF is modulated by biological drivers, environmental drivers, the interaction between biological and environmental drivers, and the viewing geometry. Studying fluorescence at small scales provides the ecophysiological understanding needed to disentangle the biological and environmental drivers of SIF at larger scales. Leveraging progress in satellite SIF, future research should focus on cross-scale mechanistic understanding of the drivers of SIF and using SIF as a metric for plant function beyond photosynthesis.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の光合成・機能を推定するリモートセンシング手法（SIF）を中心に、その機構とスケール間利用をレビューしており、植物フェノタイピング手法のレビューに該当する。

abstractThe emergence of remote-sensing techniques to measure solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) provides a unique approach to estimate photosynthesis across spatiotemporal scales

A Multi-Head UNet++ Framework with Fractional Differential Output Refinement for UAV Multispectral Crop Stress Mapping →

This study presents a unified semantic segmentation framework for UAV-based multispectral crop stress mapping, focusing on the integration of water stress and rust disease conditions within a common label space. Unlike conventional approaches that address individual stress factors independently, the proposed framework harmonizes heterogeneous datasets with different annotation schemes into a single multi-class segmentation problem. To achieve this, UAV multispectral orthomosaics are processed using a patch-based strategy and a multi-head UNet++ architecture incorporating segmentation, edge-aware, and Signed Distance Transform (SDT) branches. In addition, a physics-informed output-space refinement module based on fractional partial differential equations (FPDE) is introduced to enhance spatial coherence and boundary preservation in the predicted maps. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework within the evaluated dataset setting, particularly in terms of boundary delineation, spatial consistency, and minority-class detection. The study highlights the feasibility of integrating heterogeneous stress conditions into a unified segmentation framework and provides a foundation for future research on scalable multi-source agricultural monitoring systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像から作物の水ストレスおよびさび病状態を推定するセマンティックセグメンテーション手法の開発が中心であり、植物状態の取得・抽出に該当する。

abstracta multi-head UNet++ architecture incorporating segmentation, edge-aware, and Signed Distance Transform (SDT) branches

Crop Yield Prediction using Hyperspectral Imagery and Machine Learning Algorithms Deployed on Edge Computing Nodes →

This research work proposed the precision agriculture is supported by accurate future crop yield forecasting which allows optimal use of resources automated use of crops and planning production of food. The problems that conventional predictive systems basing on cloud computing are likely to face include longer latency unreliable network connectivity and heavy processing power requirements which are especially troublesome in the rural farm environment. To deal with these drawbacks the study proposes an Edge-AI-driven framework of crop yield estimation which entails the integration of hyperspectral imaging with real-time measurements of agricultural sensors of soil moisture, pH level, temperature, and humidity. it is based on an STM32 Edge-AI microcontroller and a hybrid deep learning architecture Conv LSTM-ViT (Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory embedded with Vision Transformer) to process spectral changes and environmental changes over time and identify the factors that influence crop growth. The model is able to make decisions in a short time track continuously and lessen cloud reliance by executing inference at the edge. The proposed Conv LSTM-ViT Edge AI model outperforms Random Forest, XG Boost, CNN, and Conv LSTM with up to 14% higher accuracy and 70–80% lower inference latency, demonstrating strong suitability for real-time smart agriculture deployments. Metadata and prediction outcomes are safely uploaded to the Blynk IoT cloud to be visualized and offer decision support to the farm levels. Field testing applications with UAVs further support that the system is energy-saving scalable and able to assist real-time smart farming processes which creates a sustainable system of future farming technologies.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsハイパースペクトル画像とエッジAIによって作物収量を推定する取得・解析手法を開発し、既存モデルとの性能比較と実地検証を行っており、収量推定法が中心である。

abstractthe study proposes an Edge-AI-driven framework of crop yield estimation which entails the integration of hyperspectral imaging

UAV-based field phenotyping to assess yield-related traits in potato genotypes →

Abstract Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based phenotyping has been applied to assess potato traits, however, its use to identify canopy traits associated with tuber yield across diverse genotypes remains limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of UAV-based field phenotyping, integrating RGB and thermal imaging, to identify key canopy traits associated with tuber yield and it´s agronomic components in a set of eight potato genotypes grown across two environments and two growing seasons. Despite higher seasonal rainfall in Chiloé, tuber yields were consistently greater in Osorno, underscoring that total precipitation alone is less important than its temporal distribution and effective crop water availability; this makes it necessary to supplement with irrigation during the period of highest demand. RGB-derived vegetation indices and canopy temperature successfully differentiated genotypes, although their discriminatory power varied according to developmental stage and environmental conditions, with intermediate to late growth stages generally providing the strongest genotype separation. Canopy temperature supplied complementary physiological information related to canopy water status, whereas RGB traits captured broader variation in canopy structure and greenness. These findings highlight the importance of integrating phenological stage and environmental context when interpreting remote sensing data, and demonstrate the strong potential of UAV-based HTP to support breeding and agronomic strategies aimed at improving drought resilience, yield stability, and selection efficiency in potato.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVによるRGB・熱画像を用いた圃場フェノタイピングが中心で、ジャガイモのキャノピー形質を抽出・評価し、遺伝子型間比較や収量関連性を検討している。

abstractevaluate the use of UAV-based field phenotyping, integrating RGB and thermal imaging, to identify key canopy traits associated with tuber yield

AI-Driven Plant Disease and Pest Surveillance: Deep Learning, IoT, and Next-Generation Crop Protection →

Plant disease and pest surveillance is undergoing a profound technological transition. Conventional crop protection has historically depended on episodic field scouting, expert visual inspection, and broad-spectrum preventative spraying, all of which are constrained by labour intensity, uneven diagnostic accuracy, and weak temporal resolution. In contrast, recent advances in artificial intelligence, deep learning, the Internet of Things, remote sensing, and edge computing have enabled crop-health monitoring systems that are more continuous, data-rich, and spatially explicit. This review analyses the evolution of AI-driven plant disease and pest surveillance, with particular attention to how image-based deep learning, connected environmental sensing, unmanned aerial vehicle platforms, cloud-edge infrastructures, and multimodal analytics are reshaping next-generation crop protection. The article argues that the central innovation is not merely automated diagnosis, but the emergence of surveillance ecosystems capable of recognising symptoms, estimating risk, localising hotspots, and informing more selective intervention. The review synthesises major developments in convolutional neural networks, object detection, semantic segmentation, transfer learning, domain adaptation, transformer-based computer vision, anomaly detection, environmental time-series modelling, and multimodal analytics. It also evaluates the practical obstacles that still limit real-world deployment, including dataset bias, annotation uncertainty, poor cross-domain generalisation, limited interoperability, energy and connectivity constraints, weak model explainability, and uneven economic accessibility. The article further considers how AI-based surveillance may strengthen integrated pest management by supporting earlier warning, more precise treatment timing, reduced blanket pesticide use, and stronger alignment between biological risk and management action. It concludes that the future of crop protection will depend less on isolated improvements in benchmark accuracy and more on the development of trustworthy, scalable, and biologically meaningful surveillance systems that can support sustainable decisions under real agricultural conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物病害の症状認識・リスク推定・ホットスポット局在化を行う画像解析、センサー、UAV、マルチモーダル手法を中心にレビューしており、植物の病害状態を推定するフェノタイピング手法レビューに該当する。

abstractThis review analyses the evolution of AI-driven plant disease and pest surveillance, with particular attention to how image-based deep learning, connected environmental sensing, unmanned aerial vehicle platforms, cloud-edge infrastructures, and multimodal analytics are reshaping next-generation crop protection.

UAV-based multispectral imaging and machine learning for detecting and mapping maize leaf diseases in smallholder farms. →

Maize (Zea Mays) is one of the world's most important staple crops, providing food for humans and feed for livestock. However, its production is threatened by a range of stresses, including crop diseases, which significantly reduce yields, particularly in smallholder farming systems. Traditional disease detection methods, such as visual inspection, are often labour-intensive, subjective, and prone to error, leading to delayed interventions and widespread crop losses. This study uses unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing and machine learning (ML) to investigate the feasibility of detecting maize leaf diseases in a smallholder farm located in the Mopani District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. UAV-derived vegetation indices including NDVI, GNDVI, and NDRE were combined with UAV multispectral bands and the three ML algorithms, namely - support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), to first distinguish healthy from diseased plants and then to classify specific maize diseases. The SVM algorithm achieved the highest accuracy in both, distinguishing healthy and diseased crops from other land cover classes (91.73%) and in distinguishing specific diseases (89.41%). Among the diseases identified, Southern Corn Leaf Blight was classified with the highest user's accuracy, while phosphorus deficiency had the lowest user's classification accuracy. The results demonstrate the potential of integrating UAV-based multispectral imaging and ML for precision agriculture by providing timely, spatially detailed disease information that enables targeted management practices, reducing crop losses and enhancing food security for smallholder farmers.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像と機械学習を用いて、トウモロコシの健全・罹病状態および具体的な葉病害を推定する手法が研究の中心であり、植物病害状態のフェノタイピングに該当する。

abstractThis study uses unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing and machine learning (ML) to investigate the feasibility of detecting maize leaf diseases

Optimizing soybean breeding: High-throughput phenotyping for stink bug resistance and high yields →

Abstract Background: The stink bug complex is one of the most damaging pests of soybean, reducing yield and seed quality. Genetic resistance remains the most sustainable and effective management strategy, but its quantitative inheritance and labor-intensive field phenotyping make its implementation in breeding programs challenging. Objective: This study explored high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with RGB cameras to evaluate a soybean population and the potential of phenotyping to stink bug resistance by correlating image-derived features and machine learning (ML) models. Methods: A population of 304 soybean lines was evaluated in alpha-lattice design trials across two seasons under natural infestations. Five resistance-related traits, grain yield (GY), healthy seed weight (HSW), number of days to maturity (NDM), tolerance (TOL), and leaf retention (LR), were manually scored and linked to UAV-derived vegetation indices (VIs) and texture indices (TIs). Three ML models (AdaBoost, SVM, MLP) were tested to predict these traits from aerial features. Results: Results showed that VIs, particularly Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index at the 25th percentile (VARI_P25), were consistently associated with resistance-related traits, while decision tree analysis highlighted TIs at 45° and 135° as complementary sources of structural information. Prediction ability was highest for GY, HSW, and NDM, especially in flights near flowering and maturity, but remained low for TOL and LR. Integrating multiple flights modestly improved accuracy, whereas cross-season predictions were unreliable. Nonetheless, indices such as VARI_P25 provided useful cross-season correlations for HSW and TOL, enabling early screening of less promising lines. Conclusion: This pioneering study demonstrates that UAV–ML pipelines can capture genetic signals of stink bug resistance in soybean, despite environmental complexity. These findings open new avenues for resistance phenotyping, supporting more efficient breeding strategies and accelerating genetic gains in soybean improvement.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と機械学習を用いて、ダイズの抵抗性関連形質や収量を推定するHTPパイプラインを技術的に評価しており、表現型取得・推定法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study explored high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with RGB cameras to evaluate a soybean population and the potential of phenotyping to stink bug resistance by correlating image-derived features and machine learning (ML) models.

Deep Learning for Field-Based Cereal Phenomics →

PhD thesis investigating deep learning methods for non-destructive, high-throughput phenotyping in cereal crops, covering NIRS, hyperspectral imaging, UAV-based plot segmentation, image-based disease assessment, and cross-platform deployment of phenomics pipelines.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods穀類の非破壊・高スループット表現型解析を中心に、深層学習、NIRS、ハイパースペクトル画像、UAV画像分割、病害評価、フェノミクス基盤展開を扱う方法研究である。

abstractPhD thesis investigating deep learning methods for non-destructive, high-throughput phenotyping in cereal crops, covering NIRS, hyperspectral imaging, UAV-based plot segmentation, image-based disease assessment, and cross-platform deployment of phenomics pipelines.

Monitoring plant moisture content and optimizing irrigation prescriptions based on UAV multimodal data →

Introduction With the continuous advancement of smart agriculture, multi-modal remote sensing based on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offers new technical approaches for monitoring and managing crop moisture in fields. However, significant challenges remain in developing high-precision field-scale crop Plant Moisture Content (PMC) prediction models and translating them into actionable irrigation strategies. Methods This study focuses on winter wheat, employing field experiments with PMC and water use efficiency (WUE) as indicators of crop water status. Vegetation indices (VIs) derived from UAV data were used to construct a leaf area index (LAI) inversion model. Crop Height was extracted from oblique photogrammetry point cloud data. By combining the Penman-Monteith equation with dual crop coefficients, an improved evapotranspiration (ET) model was developed, utilizing multispectral data from UAVs, thermal infrared data, point cloud-derived plant height, and LAI inversion results. Further utilizing VIs, temperature indices (TIs), and machine learning algorithms (Random Forest Regression (RFR), Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN), Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), and Support Vector Regression (SVR), we established PMC prediction models for winter wheat at different growth stages. These models, integrated with WUE, form the basis for an irrigation scheduling optimization framework at the field scale. Results Results indicate that VIs, the difference between canopy temperature and air temperature (ΔT), Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI), and ET exhibit varying correlations with PMC during three critical growth stages of winter wheat, with ET showing the highest correlation during the jointing and heading stages (absolute correlation coefficient |r| ≥ 0.639). Compared to PMC prediction models constructed with different combinations of VIs, ET, VIs+ET, and VIs+TIs, the model employing the RFR algorithm with multimodal inputs (VIS+TIs+ET) demonstrated the best performance. The model’s predictive accuracy gradually improved across all growth stages, peaking during the grain-filling stage, with the coefficient of determination(R 2 ) of 0.900 and a normalized root mean square error (nRMSE) of 2.688%. Optimal WUE varied across growth stages under different irrigation treatments. The highest values were achieved at the jointing stage under treatment W3 (PMC = 81.8%), and at the heading and grain-filling stages under treatment W1 (PMC = 76.8% and 64.0%, respectively). Discussion The study suggests that stage-specific irrigation scheduling based on PMC thresholds can improve overall water use efficiency. This study shows that integrating multi-modal UAV data with machine learning and an improved ET model enables high-precision PMC monitoring, supporting data-driven irrigation scheduling in precision agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチモーダルデータと機械学習により、作物水分状態（PMC）、LAI、草高、蒸発散量を推定する手法を開発・評価しており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractCrop Height was extracted from oblique photogrammetry point cloud data.

Intelligent Drone Assisted Plant Disease Detectionand Precision Pesticide Spraying Using a Residual-Inception Deep Learning Framework →

Abstract Deep learning techniques combined with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) create new possibilities which will transform smartagricultural practices. This project introduces an innovative system which merges a Residual-Inception convolutional neuralnetwork with an intelligent drone spraying system to enable early detection and targeted treatment of plant diseases. Theresearch used a dataset which contained 38 crop disease classes and achieved a 94.5% validation accuracy after 10 trainingepochs. The proposed model combines multi-scale convolutional branches with residual shortcuts to improve feature learningwhile decreasing classification errors. The researchers created a mathematical waypoint generation algorithm which enablesUAVs to navigate through fields by creating efficient field coverage paths with optimal spray distribution. The researchersdeveloped a pesticide prioritization system which maps detected diseases to customized treatment plans based on diseaseseverity. The simulated results show precise classification results which successfully plan waypoints and create clear visualdisplays of the spraying operations. This Study demonstrates a scalable and economical method for executing precisionagriculture because it decreases chemical application while enhancing crop health management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物病害を対象とする深層学習による検出・分類手法が中心的に開発されており、植物の病害状態を直接推定するため、病害フェノタイピング手法として収録する。

abstractThis project introduces an innovative system which merges a Residual-Inception convolutional neuralnetwork with an intelligent drone spraying system to enable early detection and targeted treatment of plant diseases.

A Multi-Sensor UAV Platform: Design, Testing, and Application for High-Throughput Plant Phenotyping →

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are broadly used for high-throughput plant phenotyping, yet their long-term use in public-sector research is increasingly challenged by regulatory restrictions and reliance on proprietary platforms. This study presented a regulation-compliant, modular multi-sensor unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed to deliver flexible, high-quality phenotyping data without dependence on restricted ecosystems. A dual-mount, open-architecture payload integrated RGB, multispectral, and thermal sensors, enabling simultaneous acquisition of structural, spectral, and thermal information within a unified workflow. Field validation in a lantana (Lantana camara) breeding trial demonstrated high-precision multi-sensor data fusion and reliable trait extraction. Spatial co-registration achieved centimeter-level accuracy, with alignment errors of 0.88 cm (multispectral) and 3.23 cm (thermal) relative to the RGB reference. UAV-derived canopy height closely matched ground measurements (R2 up to 0.98; RMSE as low as 1.57 cm), while canopy coverage estimates showed consistency across sensing modalities (R2 = 0.99; RMSE = 0.02 m2). Calibrated thermal orthomosaics provided robust canopy temperature estimation (RMSE = 3.13 °C), supporting a quantitative assessment of plant physiological status. Together, these results demonstrate that a regulation-compliant, open-architecture UAV platform can achieve high accuracy in multi-modal phenotyping while maintaining flexibility and cost efficiency. This work demonstrates a scalable and sustainable framework for UAV-based phenotyping, enabling researchers to adapt to evolving regulations while advancing data-driven crop improvement.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物フェノタイピング用のマルチセンサーUAVプラットフォームを設計・検証し、植物形質の抽出精度を評価しているため、方法が中心的である。

abstractThis study presented a regulation-compliant, modular multi-sensor unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed to deliver flexible, high-quality phenotyping data without dependence on restricted ecosystems.

UAV-based Plant Disease Detection using MobileNetV2 Architecture →

Abstract has not been obtained from indexed metadata or an accessible article page.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像とMobileNetV2を用いた植物病害検出を主題とする手法研究であり、植物の病害状態を観測・推定するフェノタイピング手法が中心と判断できる。

titleUAV-based Plant Disease Detection using MobileNetV2 Architecture

A Multi-Sensor UAS Platform: Design, Testing, and Application for High-Throughput Plant Phenotyping →

Dataset Structure and Concepts This dataset supports a study on the development and validation of a modular, regulation-compliant multi-sensor Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for high-throughput plant phenotyping. The architecture utilizes a mid-lift UAV platform (Inspired Flight IF800) with a custom-engineered, decoupled payload system that separates sensing, power distribution, and onboard computing. The core concept focuses on an open-architecture design that ensures centimeter-level spatial co-registration across independent research-grade sensors. Contents of the Dataset Engineering Design Files: Full 3D assembly of the custom dovetail-mounted bracket and raised top platform in .STEP and SolidWorks (.SLDPRT) formats. Figures and tables in manuscript.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物フェノタイピング用のマルチセンサーUASの設計・開発・検証が中心であり、センサー統合と空間共登録を含む再利用可能な測定プラットフォームを扱っている。

abstractthe development and validation of a modular, regulation-compliant multi-sensor Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for high-throughput plant phenotyping

A Multi-Sensor UAS Platform: Design, Testing, and Application for High-Throughput Plant Phenotyping →

Dataset Structure and Concepts This dataset supports a study on the development and validation of a modular, regulation-compliant multi-sensor Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for high-throughput plant phenotyping. The architecture utilizes a mid-lift UAV platform (Inspired Flight IF800) with a custom-engineered, decoupled payload system that separates sensing, power distribution, and onboard computing. The core concept focuses on an open-architecture design that ensures centimeter-level spatial co-registration across independent research-grade sensors. Contents of the Dataset Engineering Design Files: Full 3D assembly of the custom dovetail-mounted bracket and raised top platform in .STEP and SolidWorks (.SLDPRT) formats. Figures and tables in manuscript.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物フェノタイピング用のマルチセンサーUASプラットフォームの設計・開発・検証が中心であり、センサー統合と空間共登録を扱うため採録。

abstractthe development and validation of a modular, regulation-compliant multi-sensor Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for high-throughput plant phenotyping

Rapid Forest Fuel Load Estimation via Virtual Remote Sensing and Metric-Scale Feed-Forward 3D Reconstruction →

Accurate quantification of forest coverage and combustible biomass (fuel load) is critical for wildfire risk assessment and ecosystem management. However, traditional methods relying on airborne LiDAR or field surveys are cost-prohibitive and time-intensive, while satellite imagery often lacks the vertical resolution required for canopy volume analysis. This paper proposes a novel, automated pipeline for rapid forest inventory using virtual remote sensing data derived from Google Earth Studio (GES). Our approach first generates low-altitude orbital imagery and camera poses for a target region. For dense 3D reconstruction, we employ Pi-Long, developed within the VGGT-Long framework. This model serves as a scalable extension of the Pi-3 feed-forward Transformer architecture. To address the inherent scale ambiguity in monocular reconstruction, we introduce a metric recovery module that aligns the reconstructed trajectory with GES ground truth poses via Sim(3) Umeyama optimization. The metric-scale point cloud is then orthogonally projected into Bird's-Eye-View (BEV) height and density maps. Finally, we employ a watershed-based segmentation algorithm combined with height variance analysis to classify tree species (conifer vs. broadleaf), calculate Leaf Area Index (LAI), and estimate total fuel load. Experimental results demonstrate that this pipeline offers a scalable, cost-effective alternative to physical scanning, enabling near-real-time estimation of forest biomass with high geometric consistency.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods森林の3D再構成、BEVマップ、分割・高さ分散解析を組み合わせ、LAIと燃料量という植物・群落形質を推定するパイプライン自体が中心的な技術貢献であるため。

abstractThis paper proposes a novel, automated pipeline for rapid forest inventory using virtual remote sensing data derived from Google Earth Studio (GES).

Dim Green Light Enables Day-and-Night Monitoring of Leaf Movements →

Understanding plant growth dynamics requires imaging across day-and-night cycles to quantify growth, movement and development in the aerial plant body and to capture the rhythmic nature of these processes. This requires imaging in light during the day and in darkness at night without perturbing plant physiology. Nighttime imaging has typically depended on infrared (IR) illumination, producing monochrome datasets that require specialised hardware and separate analysis pipelines when combined with daytime RGB imaging. Here, we evaluated very low-intensity green (dimG) illumination from standard LEDs as a practical alternative for colour-consistent nighttime imaging and assessed its physiological impact in Arabidopsis thaliana and Lactuca sativa (lettuce). We show that high resolution colour images can be obtained under dimG using low- cost cameras, with sufficient consistency between full-spectrum and dimG images to allow direct comparison and unified image analysis. We show that very low-fluence green light (<0.5 μmol m -2 s -1 ) does not sustain circadian oscillations of gene activity under continuous exposure and does not perturb rhythms when applied during the dark phase of diel cycles. DimG imaging enabled accurate detection of diel leaf movement profiles in Arabidopsis circadian mutants, revealing genotype-specific phase differences under varying photoperiods. In lettuce, dimG pulses and continuous dimG enabled accurate quantification of diel leaf movement without affecting growth, stomatal opening, electron transport rate or chlorophyll content. Motion profiles under continuous dimG mirrored those under darkness. Our findings establish dim green illumination as a cost-effective solution for night-time imaging, simplifying phenotyping workflows with minimal impact on physiology.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の夜間画像取得用の低強度緑色照明を開発・生理影響評価し、葉運動の定量と統合的な画像解析ワークフローを実証しており、フェノタイピング手法が中心です。

abstractHere, we evaluated very low-intensity green (dimG) illumination from standard LEDs as a practical alternative for colour-consistent nighttime imaging and assessed its physiological impact in Arabidopsis thaliana and Lactuca sativa (lettuce).

Generation of Spatially and Temporally Fine-Resolution Imagery Using STF Algorithms and CACAO Post-Processing →

Abstract Spatio-temporal fusion (STF) has been widely used across various remote sensing applications, including environmental monitoring, land cover change detection, and water resource management by integrating multi-sensor data with different spatial and temporal resolutions. The objective of this study was to generate spatially and temporally fine-resolution imagery and to evaluate the performance of multiple STF algorithms and Consistent Adjustment of the Climatology to Actual Observations (CACAO) post-processing for parcel-level crop monitoring. The study was conducted in a soybean field located in Anseong, South Korea, using Planet SuperDove satellite imagery which has 3 m spatial resolution and near-daily temporal resolution, and Phantom 4 Multispectral Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data which has 0.05 m spatial resolution, downscaled to target resolution 0.5 m, and 1–4 week irregular temporal resolution. Relative radiometric normalization was applied, followed by the implementation and comparison of four STF algorithms— Enhanced Spatial and Temporal Adaptive Reflectance Fusion Model (ESTARFM), Fitting, spatial Filtering and residual Compensation (FitFC), Flexible Spatiotemporal Data Fusion (FSDAF), and Variation-based Spatiotemporal Data Fusion (VSDF)—within a 4-fold cross-validation framework. CACAO post-processing was then employed to reconstruct temporally continuous NDVI trajectories, from which growth metrics such as Vegetation Growth Metrics (VGM)85 and VGMmax were derived. The validation results indicated that ESTARFM achieved the highest Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) performance among the evaluated algorithms, with an Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.113 and the Universal Image Quality Index (UIQI) of 0.697, and CACAO further improved the results, with CA-ESTARFM providing the highest NDVI accuracy, with an RMSE of 0.108 and a UIQI of 0.740. NDVI histogram and spatial analyses demonstrated that CA-ESTARFM achieved the most consistent agreement with UAV observations while preserving fine-scale spatial heterogeneity. In addition, intra-field vegetation assessment using VGM85 and VGMmax confirmed that CA-ESTARFM enhanced the reliability of crop growth evaluation compared to simple linear interpolation of UAV observations. The proposed framework demonstrates strong potential for applications in comprehensive crop monitoring, precision agriculture management, and yield forecasting.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods衛星・UAV画像の時空間融合アルゴリズムを比較検証し、NDVI軌跡から作物生育指標を抽出する方法が研究の中心であるため、植物フェノタイピング手法として採択する。

abstractThe objective of this study was to generate spatially and temporally fine-resolution imagery and to evaluate the performance of multiple STF algorithms and Consistent Adjustment of the Climatology to Actual Observations (CACAO) post-processing for parcel-level crop monitoring.

Crop Disease Prediction in Agriculture Using Deep Learning: A Comprehensive Review →

Crop diseases continue to pose a serious danger to agricultural productivity worldwide, resulting in large losses in crop quality, yield, and economic value. For large-scale farming, traditional disease detection techniques, which mostly rely on specialist knowledge and manual examination, are frequently laborious, subjective and ineffective. Deep learning (DL), a branch of artificial intelligence, has become a potent method for automated and precise crop disease prediction because to developments in information technology. With an emphasis on image-based analysis and data-driven modelling, this paper provides a thorough overview of current advancements in deep learning-based methods for crop disease diagnosis and prediction. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), one type of deep learning architecture, have shown exceptional performance in reliably diagnosing different crop illnesses and extracting complicated characteristics from plant photos. The detection accuracy has been further enhanced by advanced versions like ResNet, VGGNet, and EfficientNet, which frequently surpass 95 percentage under controlled circumstances. Precision agriculture techniques have been improved by the real-time monitoring and early disease identification made possible by the integration of deep learning with Internet of Things (IoT) devices, remote sensing technologies, and drone-based imaging systems. Despite these developments, a number of problems still exist, such as the requirement for sizable labelled datasets, high processing demands, overfitting problems, and restricted model generalisation in practical settings. This paper identifies these drawbacks and explores possible remedies, such as explainable deep learning methods, data augmentation, and transfer learning. Future research will focus on integrating intelligent decision-support systems, scalable deployment approaches, and edge computing. All things considered, deep learning-based crop disease prediction systems have enormous potential to revolutionise contemporary agriculture by facilitating early intervention, enhancing crop health management, and encouraging sustainable farming methods.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物画像から病害状態を推定する深層学習手法を中心に扱うレビューであり、植物フェノタイピング手法レビューに該当する。

abstractWith an emphasis on image-based analysis and data-driven modelling, this paper provides a thorough overview of current advancements in deep learning-based methods for crop disease diagnosis and prediction.

Genetic Variation for Autumn-Winter Forage Yield in a Segregating Tetraploid F 1 Population of Paspalum notatum . →

Autumn-winter forage scarcity limits subtropical livestock systems. This study aimed to: (1) develop a segregating F 1 population from parents contrasting in autumn-winter biomass yield (WBY) in tetraploid Paspalum notatum ; (2) estimate phenotypic and genetic variability for WBY across environments; and (3) evaluate the relationship between WBY and spring-summer biomass yield (SBY), and the feasibility of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-derived vegetation indices as non-destructive estimators of WBY. A population of 182 tetraploid F 1 hybrids was evaluated at two sites in Corrientes Province, Argentina (2022-2024). WBY exhibited wide genotypic variability across locations and years ( p H 2 ) ranged from 0.41 to 0.64, reflecting sensitivity to the thermal and moisture conditions of each environment. WBY showed a positive, moderate association with SBY ( R 2 = 0.20-0.26), indicating that selection for cool-season yield does not compromise summer productivity. The Normalized Difference Red Edge Index (NDRE) was the most robust WBY predictor ( R 2 up to 0.67 at MES-2022 vs. 0.58-0.59 for ARVI, GNDVI and NDVI at the same site-year), though predictive accuracy varied with environmental conditions. The results demonstrate substantial and exploitable genetic variation for cool-season forage yield in P. notatum .

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV由来の植生指数を用いた非破壊的な飼料収量推定を評価し、複数指数の予測性能を比較しているため、植物形質取得法の実質的な適用・検証を含む。

abstractevaluate the relationship between WBY and spring-summer biomass yield (SBY), and the feasibility of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-derived vegetation indices as non-destructive estimators of WBY.

From plots to commercial fields: scalable, transferable cotton morphology and productivity estimation using functional growth proxies from UAV and PlanetScope time series. →

Product demand and climate variability are progressively increasing the need for real-time, scalable crop monitoring to support varietal selection and in-season input optimisation. However, producers still have limited information on the temporal and spatial variability of cotton health and performance beyond point-scale field surveying. In addition, given cotton's high phenotypic plasticity, near real-time derived metrics are essential to improve input efficiency and strengthen long-term sustainability of the cotton industry in Australia. Therefore, we proposed a functional integrated predictive sensing framework to estimate and predict cotton canopy morphological (i.e., height) and productivity traits (i.e., dry matter and lint yield) across large plots (12m × 6m). Scalability was validated by applying the proposed framework to estimate and map cotton yield across commercial fields. To do this, we explored the accuracy of high-resolution multispectral imagery from two platforms (unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and PlanetScope (PS)) collected across two 144-plot trials for two cotton seasons. These were designed with a large range in nitrogen rates (N), shading, and two growth-regulator doses, thus, creating variable environments. Sensing metrics were obtained from UAV imagery (1.3-1.6 cm pixel size) acquired once in 2022/23 and eight times in 2023/24, while PS composites (3 m pixel size) provided near-daily coverage in both seasons. Time-series gaps were imputed using Savitzky-Golay smoothing in thermal time (GDD), enabling extraction of growth dynamic metrics (GDMs) as single-date (SD; e.g., peak canopy) and multi-date (MD; e.g., daily average growth rate) metrics. After reducing collinearity and dimensionality, random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), and gaussian process regression (GPR) were trained and interpreted with SHAP, for feature contribution. UAV single-date models (SD_ UAV) achieved strong accuracy for height (R 2 = 0.77), biomass (R 2 = 0.73), and yield (R 2 = 0.81). Incorporating UAV time-series metrics (MD_UAV) improved the performance R 2 = 0.87, 0.86, and 0.85 for height, biomass and yield, respectively. Application of the derived models using high resolution satellite data (MD_PS) for different farming systems showed highly significant accuracy (R 2 = 0.67) to predict cotton yield at aggregated field scale. As such, enabling the detailed spatial prediction of cotton yield within a field. It is anticipated that the proposed functional sensing framework will improve the estimation of key cotton production traits, supporting field- and within-field decision-making, ultimately contributing to more resilient and sustainable cotton production in Australia.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV・衛星時系列画像から綿花の形態・生産性形質を推定するセンシング／予測フレームワークを開発・検証し、商業圃場へ適用しており、表現型取得手法が中心である。

abstractwe proposed a functional integrated predictive sensing framework to estimate and predict cotton canopy morphological (i.e., height) and productivity traits (i.e., dry matter and lint yield) across large plots (12m × 6m).

Construction of a Precision Thinning Framework for Cunninghamia Lanceolata Plantations Driven by Point Cloud Fusion and Multi-Criteria Weighting →

Thinning is a cornerstone of sustainable forest management (SFM), yet decisions are often constrained by subjective experience and a lack of quantitative spatial data. To address this, we developed a precision thinning framework for Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations by fusing terrestrial and aerial LiDAR data. Instead of relying on manual selection, this study established a quantitative mechanism for identifying harvesting targets. We employed a layer-stacking seed-point algorithm to accurately segment individual trees and extracted key parameters (tree height, DBH, and crown width) with high precision (Overall R2 ≥ 0.85). Furthermore, an objective multi-criteria weighting method (AHP – CRITIC) was constructed to prioritize thinning targets based on stand stability and growth status. Results indicated that the proposed framework achieved an individual tree segmentation F1-score of 89.24%. Simulated thinning based on the calculated weights significantly optimized the stand spatial structure: canopy openness increased by 11.8%, and spatial indices converged toward optimal ranges. Compared with conventional practices, the proposed approach effectively reduced growth dispersion and enhanced population coordination. These findings demonstrate that integrating multi-platform LiDAR with objective weighting algorithms offers a scientifically rigorous pathway for precision forestry, promoting both productivity and the long-term sustainability of plantation ecosystems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDAR融合による個体木セグメンテーションと樹高・DBH・樹冠幅の抽出、および精度評価が枯間伐フレームワークの中心的な技術要素であるため、植物表現型計測手法として採用する。

abstractWe employed a layer-stacking seed-point algorithm to accurately segment individual trees and extracted key parameters (tree height, DBH, and crown width) with high precision (Overall R2 ≥ 0.85).

Quantifying the Link Between 3D Vegetation Structure and Plant Diversity in Urban Parks Using Fused Multi-Platform LiDAR Data →

Traditional field surveys of urban park biodiversity lack efficiency and scale, whereas LiDAR offers precise 3D vegetation quantification. This study investigates how 3D vegetation structural complexity impacts urban park plant diversity. We integrated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and handheld LiDAR data with ground-based quadrat surveys to capture comprehensive vegetation structures. Using six key 3D structural metrics, we modeled their relationship with plant diversity via Random Forest. Results indicate canopy height standard deviation (Hstd) primarily influences cultivated plant diversity, while the vegetation density index (VDI) drives spontaneous diversity. The model predicted species richness better (30.63% variance explained) than the Shannon index (7.63%). These drivers exhibited significant non-linear effects and potential ecological thresholds. A strong synergy emerged: when the vertical structure is complex and the 3D spatial density is high, the predicted plant diversity initially exhibits a trend of saturation and stabilization. Ultimately, multi-dimensional 3D vegetation structure proves to be a robust indicator of plant diversity. Our proposed multi-platform LiDAR fusion framework enables rapid, precise ecological assessments, providing methodological references and support for the transition from 2D to 3D green quality evaluation in the fine-scale management of similar cities.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV・ハンドヘルドLiDARを融合し、植物群落の3D構造指標を抽出して植物多様性を推定する測定・解析フレームワークが中心であり、植物状態の定量的評価に該当する。

abstractWe integrated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and handheld LiDAR data with ground-based quadrat surveys to capture comprehensive vegetation structures.

Mapping California's Urban Forest at Scale: An Error-Adjusted Canopy Time Series for Monitoring Change →

Statewide tracking of urban tree canopy change is essential for evaluating progress toward policy targets, but detecting real change requires both high-resolution mapping and rigorous uncertainty estimation. We produced a four-year canopy cover time series for all California census-designated places using 60-cm NAIP aerial imagery and a U-Net deep learning model trained with semi-automated LiDAR-derived labels and manually annotated tiles. Canopy cover and change were estimated using stratified, error-adjusted area estimation, enabling comparisons across years. Statewide canopy cover showed a modest negative trend from 2016 to 2022 (Sens slope: -0.60% per year), but confidence intervals included zero across all groups and climate zones, indicating that trends were not statistically distinguishable from no change. Urban canopy cover was consistently lower than non-urban canopy by approximately six percentage points, and canopy cover was highest in the Northern California Coast and lowest in the Southwest Desert. Residential parcels accounted for 55-56% of canopy within incorporated urban areas across all years, indicating that statewide canopy increase goals will require engagement with private landowners. Error adjustment substantially altered canopy estimates relative to raw pixel-count totals, with direct implications for AB 2251 canopy tracking where baselines and targets drawn from unadjusted maps may not reflect true canopy extent. This open-source workflow is transferable to future NAIP acquisition years and other U.S. states, providing a scalable framework for long-term urban forest monitoring.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods航空画像とU-Netにより都市樹冠被覆率を推定し、誤差調整と不確実性評価を行う再利用可能なワークフローを中心に扱っているため、植物状態の測定手法として採用。

abstractWe produced a four-year canopy cover time series for all California census-designated places using 60-cm NAIP aerial imagery and a U-Net deep learning model trained with semi-automated LiDAR-derived labels and manually annotated tiles.

Digitization of Field Rice Leaf Greenness (LCC 3 and 4) Using Drone-Based Remote Sensing and Machine Learning →

Precision monitoring of crops using drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology is rapidly growing as a climate-smart agriculture practice in rice farming systems in Sri Lanka and globally. In rice fields, the Leaf Color Chart (LCC) is traditionally used for manual comparison of a leaf to the standard LCC categories in the field to determine the fertilizer condition of the plant. However, this lacks autonomous monitoring, rapid monitoring of larger fields, scalability, and the digital transformation of the scores with sprayer drones for targeted fertilizer application. Drones with multispectral cameras could pose a greater rapid and digitalized solution for delineation of leaf color instead of LCC, in the field. Thus, this paper presents a novel attempt of digitization of conventional LCC levels 3 and 4, rice plant leaf greenness levels in the field, with classification and production of a spatial map using drone multispectral images and machine learning algorithms. The experimental setup consisted of ground sampling of LCC levels 3 and 4 from farmer fields and acquisition of drone imagery data above the field with a DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral UAV, from which fifteen vegetation indices related to crop spectra were extracted. The vegetation indices were then employed for training (70%) and testing (30%) with machine learning algorithms: Random Forest (RF), as well as SVM-linear and SVM-RBF, focusing on LCC 3–4 class classification. The results showed good classification performance, with the RF algorithm reporting a test accuracy of 98.2%, outperforming SVM-linear (82.5%) and SVM-RBF (87.5%). The RF model outputs SR, EVI, MSR, NDVI, and TCARI as feature importance indices for the classification of LCC levels 3 and 4 in the rice field. The findings of this proposed method greatly encourage the adaptation of drone technology for real-time monitoring of rice leaf fertilizer levels linked to LCC levels three and four, and spatial identification of the zones across the field. This imposes greater advancement towards climate-smart rice cultivation, targeted fertilizer application and rice field landscape pattern change analysis, underpinning the importance of field digitization.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsドローン multispectral画像と機械学習により、圃場のイネ葉の緑色（LCC 3/4）を自動分類・空間化する手法が研究の中心であり、植物状態の測定・抽出に該当する。

abstractthis paper presents a novel attempt of digitization of conventional LCC levels 3 and 4, rice plant leaf greenness levels in the field, with classification and production of a spatial map using drone multispectral images and machine learning algorithms.

Enhancing Crop Health and Early Detection of Tomato Leaf Diseases Using Deep Learning Techniques →

Background/Objectives: One of the most widely produced and consumed crops in the world, tomatoes are often threatened by various leaf diseases, including early blight, late blight, and leaf mold, which can result in significant yield losses if not detected and managed promptly. Due to reliance on manual inspection, tomato leaf diseases are often detected late, resulting in significant crop loss. The goal of this research is to develop a deep learning (DL) model that accurately classifies tomato leaf diseases. The model is trained using supervised learning on the PlantVillage dataset, which includes labelled images of tomato leaves under different conditions. Method: Gaussian Blurring-Gaussian Mixture Models (GB-GMM) are a preprocessing method used to enhance the image quality. While EfficientNet and VGGNet architectures are utilised for accurate classification, data augmentation is used to boost model robustness. A standard train-validation-test split is used to assess the model. Findings: The results demonstrate that the proposed method, implemented in Python, performs better than the others in terms of accuracy (94.3%), precision (93.7%), recall (92.5%), and F1-score (93.1%) in VGGNet architectures. These results indicate that the proposed model is very effective overall and produces balanced predictions. In the future, the system may be integrated with drone and IoT technologies for automatic disease warnings and real-time field surveillance. Novelty: The Multivariable Grey Prediction Evolution Algorithm (MGPEA) is included for illness trend forecasting to enhance predictive power further. This technology facilitates large-scale, sustainable agricultural management, minimizes human inspection, and enables prompt disease response. Keywords: Tomato Leaf Diseases, Crop Health, Gaussian Mixture Models, Multivariable Grey Prediction Evolution Algorithm, EfficientNet, VGGNet

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsトマト葉画像から病害状態を分類する深層学習手法の開発・評価が研究の中心であり、植物の病害表現型を直接推定している。

abstractThe goal of this research is to develop a deep learning (DL) model that accurately classifies tomato leaf diseases.

LiDAR and UAV Photogrammetry for Three-Dimensional Canopy Reconstruction: A Comparative Study for Precision Agriculture Under Mediterranean Conditions →

This study evaluates the performance of LiDAR sensing and UAV photogrammetry for three-dimensional canopy reconstruction and structural parameter estimation in precision agriculture. Experiments were conducted in Sicily (Italy) on Moringa oleifera Lam. and Ficus macrophylla subsp. columnaris, representing contrasting canopy architectures. LiDAR and UAV data were used to generate canopy models and estimate canopy height, volume, and vegetation density. A voxel-based approach was applied to LiDAR point clouds to analyze internal canopy structure. LiDAR significantly outperformed UAV photogrammetry, achieving lower errors in canopy height estimation (RMSE = 0.19–0.21 m vs. 0.52–0.60 m) and canopy volume (3.5–4.2% vs. 13.7–16.1%). UAV photogrammetry provided reliable estimates of canopy surface but underestimated structural parameters in dense vegetation due to occlusion effects. Differences were more pronounced in Ficus macrophylla than in Moringa oleifera, highlighting the influence of canopy complexity. These findings demonstrate that LiDAR-derived structural metrics can improve canopy characterization and support precision agriculture applications such as biomass estimation, irrigation planning, and canopy management in Mediterranean cropping systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDARとUAVフォトグラメトリによる樹冠の3次元再構成と、樹冠高・体積・密度推定を比較検証しており、植物形質取得手法が研究の中心です。

abstractThis study evaluates the performance of LiDAR sensing and UAV photogrammetry for three-dimensional canopy reconstruction and structural parameter estimation in precision agriculture.

High-Resolution UAV-Based NDVI Monitoring Method for Sustainable Post-Mining Land Management →

The transition of coal regions under the European Green Deal and Just Transition Fund creates a need for quantitative, transparent monitoring of ecological recovery on post-mining land. This study presents an autonomous UAV-based methodology for high-resolution monitoring of vegetation dynamics on a reclaimed coal waste heap in Upper Silesia, Poland. A DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral platform with RTK positioning conducted approximately biweekly flights from August 2024 to October 2025 over three study plots acquiring RGB and multispectral imagery at approximately 4 cm/pixel. Photogrammetric processing in DJI Terra produced radiometrically corrected orthomosaics and NDVI maps, which were analyzed using an automated QGIS workflow for reprojection, clipping, NDVI-based classification, and quantification of vegetation area across three different reclamation variants. The results indicate that intensive soil conditioning through the application of compost derived from bio-waste achieved a maximum vegetation cover of 94.4%. This treatment consistently maintained the highest level of cover during periods of environmental stress and significantly surpassed both seeding-only treatments and those combining seeding with irrigation. Baseline vegetation cover below 6% confirmed the necessity of active reclamation. This workflow provides rapid and reproducible metrics that are suitable for adaptive management and regulatory reporting. It also offers a scalable template for monitoring coal waste heaps across Europe undergoing SDG-aligned reclamation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像と自動QGISワークフローにより、植生被覆を plot レベルで定量化する再現可能な計測手法が研究の中心であるため、植物状態の画像ベース表現型計測として採用。

abstractThis study presents an autonomous UAV-based methodology for high-resolution monitoring of vegetation dynamics on a reclaimed coal waste heap

A multispectral imaging framework for early-stage modelling and precision estimation of rice plant density using MSAVI-derived fractional vegetation cover →

Accurate early-stage estimation of rice plant density is essential for precision crop management. However, current remote sensing methods face limitations in spatial resolution, revisit frequency, and sensitivity under sparse canopy conditions, highlighting the need for scalable, high-resolution UAV-based approaches. This study presents a UAV-based multispectral imaging framework for early-stage rice plant density estimation, proposing a scalable and cost-efficient solution for precision agriculture. Fractional vegetation cover derived from the Modified Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (MSAVI) was used as the primary predictor variable in linear regression modelling. UAV imagery was acquired across varying flight altitudes (15–30 m) and crop growth stages (14–32 DAS). Five-fold cross-validation results shows that accuracy improved with crop development, with notable gains between 14 and 20 DAS. During the early vegetative stage, RMSE ranged from 39-41 plants/m2 and MAPE averaged ~30%, reflecting moderate predictive accuracy caused by sparse canopy cover and strong soil interference. As the crop progressed to early tillering, prediction error declined, with RMSE improving to approximately 30 plants/m2 and MAPE decreasing to about 29%. This improvement was attributed to denser canopy structure and stronger spectral separation between vegetation and background soil. Further analysis identified 18–25 DAS as the optimal developmental window for reliable plant density estimation, wherein models achieved high coefficients of determination (R² = 0.9139–0.9395) and the lowest RMSE (34 plants/m2). No significant differences were observed among flight altitudes, suggesting higher-altitude flights can maintain accuracy while improving operational efficiency and coverage.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像からイネの植物密度を推定する枠組みを開発・検証しており、植物形質の取得・推定手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study presents a UAV-based multispectral imaging framework for early-stage rice plant density estimation

Trait-based modeling of buffalograss seed yield using UAV-derived plant height and canopy nitrogen concentration →

Accurate seed-yield prediction is essential for optimizing nitrogen (N) management in buffalograss seed production. However, current UAV-based approaches often rely directly on vegetation indices (VIs), which provide limited physiological insight and not transfer well across growing seasons. To address this limitation, we developed a trait-based yield prediction methold that integrates UAV-derived plant height (PH) and canopy nitrogen concentration (CNC), representing crop structural and physiological status, respectively. Field experiments were conducted from 2022 to 2024 under seven N application rates. Using data from 2022 and 2023, we calibrated a quadratic PH-CNC model and then evaluated its predictive performance with an independent 2024 dataset. We also compared this framework with a conventional direct VI-based model. The trait-based model explained 89% of the variation in seed yield during calibration and showed better cross-year predictive performance than the VI-based model (R 2 = 0.70, NRMSE = 17% versus R 2 = 0.52, NRMSE = 22%). In addition, the model captured the decline in seed yield under excessive N input, indicating that it reflected biologically meaningful crop responses. These results demonstrated that combining structural and physiological traits can provide a more robust and interpretable alternative to conventional VI-based methods for UAV-based yield prediction. This framework has practical potential for improving precise and sustainable N management in buffalograss seed production.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV由来の草高と群落窒素濃度を統合した形質ベース予測法を開発し、独立年データで検証・従来法と比較しており、表現型取得と解析手法が中心である。

abstractwe developed a trait-based yield prediction methold that integrates UAV-derived plant height (PH) and canopy nitrogen concentration (CNC)

Rice LAI estimation using UAV-based multi-parameter fusion at the booting stage. →

The leaf area index (LAI) is a key parameter for characterizing crop growth and water use efficiency. Therefore, efficient and accurate monitoring of LAI is essential for precision rice management. To overcome the limitations of traditional LAI measurement methods, which are time consuming, labor intensive, and difficult to scale, this study proposes an inversion framework that integrates multi-source UAV remote sensing features with machine learning models. The framework incorporates color indices (CIs) derived from RGB imagery, vegetation indices (VIs) derived from multispectral data, texture features (TIs), and texture feature indices (TFIs), and employs six machine learning algorithms to develop optimized LAI estimation models for the rice booting stage. The results indicate that at a flight altitude of 30 m, the CNN model integrating CIs and TIs achieved an accuracy of R 2 = 0.815. At 60 m, the RF model combining VIs and TFIs showed superior performance, with an R 2 of 0.866. Further integration of CIs, VIs, and TFIs at 30 m produced the best results, increasing R 2 to 0.901, reducing RMSE to 0.273, and raising RPD to above 3.0. These findings demonstrate that TFIs significantly enhance the spectral-spatial representation capability of multispectral data, thereby improving model accuracy. The combined use of CIs and VIs across different sensors compensates for the inherent limitations between spectral and spatial information, while the integration of multi-resolution TIs and TFIs effectively overcomes the constraints of single-source data. Overall, the proposed approach provides a robust and efficient solution for high-precision LAI estimation during critical growth stages of rice, offering strong support for precision agricultural management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像・マルチスペクトル特徴量と機械学習によるイネLAI推定フレームワークの開発・性能評価が研究の中心であり、植物形質の取得手法に該当する。

abstractthis study proposes an inversion framework that integrates multi-source UAV remote sensing features with machine learning models.

UAV-Borne RGB Imagery and Machine Learning for Estimating Soil Properties and Crop Physiological Traits in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea): A Low-Cost Precision Agriculture Approach →

Modern agriculture must balance productivity with sustainability. In this context, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer flexible, cost-effective tools for crop and soil monitoring in precision agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of UAV-borne RGB imagery, combined with vegetation indices and machine learning, to estimate surface soil properties and crop physiological traits in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) cultivation. A factorial field experiment with four varieties, two planting densities, and two tillage systems was monitored using high-resolution RGB orthomosaics acquired at key phenological stages. From these images, 17 RGB-based indices were computed and related to soil variables and crop traits using Spearman correlation and two regression algorithms: Random Forest (RF) and k-Nearest Neighbors (KNN). RF models outperformed KNN, with the Red Chromatic Coordinate (RCC) index achieving an R2 of 0.87 for predicting soil organic matter content. Indices such as visible NDVI and the Green Vegetation Index also provided robust estimates of canopy condition and leaf chlorophyll. Overall, the results demonstrate that UAV RGB imagery, processed through simple vegetation indices and RF models, constitutes an effective, low-cost approach for monitoring key agronomic parameters in peanut farming.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV RGB画像と機械学習による作物生理形質・キャノピー状態・葉緑素の推定手法を中心に評価しており、植物表現型取得・推定が実質的な貢献である。

abstractThis study aimed to evaluate the potential of UAV-borne RGB imagery, combined with vegetation indices and machine learning, to estimate surface soil properties and crop physiological traits in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) cultivation.

Iterative Motion Compensation for Canonical 3D Reconstruction From UAV Plant Images Captured in Windy Conditions →

Three-dimensional (3D) phenotyping of plants plays a crucial role for understanding plant growth, yield prediction, and disease control. We present a pipeline capable of generating high-quality 3D reconstructions of individual agricultural plants. To acquire data, a small commercially available Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) captures images of a selected plant. Apart from placing ArUco markers, the entire image acquisition process is fully autonomous, controlled by a self-developed Android application running on the drone's controller. The reconstruction task is particularly challenging due to environmental wind and downwash of the UAV. Our proposed pipeline supports the integration of arbitrary state-of-the-art 3D reconstruction methods. To mitigate errors caused by leaf motion during image capture, we use an iterative method that gradually adjusts the input images through deformation. Motion is estimated using optical flow between the original input images and intermediate 3D reconstructions rendered from the corresponding viewpoints. This alignment gradually reduces scene motion, resulting in a canonical representation. After a few iterations, our pipeline improves the reconstruction of state-of-the-art methods and enables the extraction of high-resolution 3D meshes.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から植物個体の高解像度3D形状を再構成する手法を開発しており、植物フェノタイピングの取得・抽出方法が研究の中心である。

abstractWe present a pipeline capable of generating high-quality 3D reconstructions of individual agricultural plants.

An integrated UAV-based spectral-index fusion framework using machine learning classifiers to model physiological maturity in dry bean →

Accurate and scalable prediction of physiological maturity (PM) in leguminous crops remains a key challenge due to indeterminate growth and canopy heterogeneity. Thus, causing difficulties for optimizing breeding decisions and field management. This study develops a novel UAV-based multispectral-index fusion framework for high-throughput maturity classification in dry bean. This is conducted by combining parametric and non-parametric machine learning (ML) classification models to capture non-linear maturity signatures. Multispectral imagery was collected over three growing seasons across multiple genotypes. Six spectral bands and five maturity-relevant vegetation indices capturing chlorophyll degradation, senescence, and canopy greenness were evaluated through 63 feature-set combinations and 10 parametric and non-parametric ML classifiers. Model performance was assessed using stratified five-fold cross-validation, composite z-score aggregation, and Friedman-Nemenyi statistical ranking to jointly evaluate accuracy and consistency. Among all the model-feature combinations, the Support Vector Classifier (SVC) paired with Band_All6 + MCARI feature-set achieved the highest test accuracy (>70%), with class-wise recall of 63.2%, 71.4% and 79.4% for early, medium and late maturity, respectively. Hybrid feature-sets integrating chlorophyll-sensitive indices with spectral bands consistently outperformed index-only or band-only sets, confirming the synergistic effect of bands and engineered index coupling. This research establishes a statistically validated pipeline linking UAV multispectral data, vegetation spectral-index and machine learning classification to quantify PM variability in dry bean with potential for validation in other legume crops. The proposed framework offers a generalizable approach for non-destructive maturity prediction, enabling breeders to accelerate genotype selection and harvest scheduling under field-scale conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像と機械学習による乾燥豆の生理的成熟度推定パイプラインを開発・統計検証しており、植物状態の取得・抽出手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study develops a novel UAV-based multispectral-index fusion framework for high-throughput maturity classification in dry bean.

Deep learning identifies optimal single spectral band for non-destructive fresh weight estimation in cabbage: A novel paradigm for postharvest management technology →