Assessment of Rice Developmental Stage Using Time Series UAV Imagery for Variable Irrigation Management.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science
• Remote Sensing Technology

Background:

• Rice is a global staple crop facing threats from climate change and water scarcity.
• Decreased yields and potential food crises are concerns due to these environmental challenges.
• Efficient water management is crucial for sustainable rice production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of water-saving farming techniques in rice cultivation.
• To implement and assess an IoT-based system for automated irrigation control.
• To utilize Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology for monitoring rice plant height (PH) and growth stages.

Main Methods:

• Water-saving farming management strategies were implemented.
• Internet of Things (IoT) sensors monitored field water levels for automated inflow regulation.
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipped with an RGB camera captured sequential rice field images.
• Rice plant height (PH) was estimated from UAV imagery and compared with on-site measurements.

Main Results:

• UAV-based PH estimation showed a high correlation (R² > 0.98) with field measurements, validating its accuracy for growth phase determination.
• Water usage was reduced by 53.5% for the first crop and 21.7% for the second crop in 2019.
• The implemented water-saving methods did not negatively affect the rice growth period or final yield.

Conclusions:

• Water-saving farming practices are effective in reducing water consumption in rice cultivation.
• Automated irrigation systems, integrated with UAV monitoring, enhance adaptability to water-limited environments.
• This approach supports sustainable rice production under changing climatic conditions.