Remote sensing continuity: a comparison of HTP platforms and potential challenges with field applications

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Breeding
• Remote Sensing Technology

Background:

• Climate change necessitates advanced breeding tools for genetic gain.
• High-throughput phenotyping (HTP) offers potential solutions for crop improvement.
• Interchangeability of data from different HTP platforms remains a key question.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the usability of ground-based handheld and Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) for spectral reflectance index (SRI) data collection in winter wheat breeding.
• To compare the heritability and correlation of SRIs derived from different HTP platforms with grain yield.
• To provide insights into best practices for implementing HTP in applied breeding programs.

Main Methods:

• Two handheld radiometers (Cropscan MSR16R, Spectra Vista Corp HR-1024i) and a UAS-based multispectral sensor were used simultaneously in winter wheat trials (2018-2021).
• Spectral reflectance indices (SRI) were calculated for each system.
• Heritability and correlation analyses were performed to assess platform usability and SRI performance.

Main Results:

• The Cropscan system showed low SRI correlations with UAS SRI and grain yield in early years.
• The Spectra Vista Corp system demonstrated moderate correlations with UAS SRI and grain yield in later years.
• UAS-derived SRIs consistently exhibited higher broad-sense heritability (0.58-0.80).

Conclusions:

• Data standardization and synchronized collection windows are critical for reliable HTP data.
• UAS-based HTP platforms show greater potential for enhancing breeding applications due to higher heritability.
• The study offers a framework for implementing HTP technologies in applied breeding programs.