APOLLOHELIX

Core guide · 2 min read

What Is Drone Soil and Plant Analysis? A Guide to Aerial Data Collection

What drone soil and plant analysis is, how aerial images and sensor data become plant-health maps, what NDVI means, which decisions it supports and where its limits are.

In agriculture, drone soil and plant analysis means that an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flies low over the land and collects images and sensor data, which are then processed into maps of the condition of the plants and the soil. The aim is to see the whole field in one flight instead of walking it step by step.

What data is collected?

  • Normal (RGB) imagery: a high-resolution photo and orthomosaic map of the land: boundaries, roads, irrigation lines, empty or damaged areas.
  • Multispectral imagery: also records the near-infrared band that the eye cannot see. Plant health shows up clearly in that band.
  • Thermal imagery: shows differences in surface temperature and helps tell apart areas that lack water or are over-watered.

What is NDVI?

NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) is a vegetation indicator calculated from how differently a plant reflects red and near-infrared light. A high value means dense, lively vegetation; a low value means sparse or stressed plants or bare soil. It is shown on the map in colours and reveals the different zones inside a field.

What is it good for?

  1. Seeing problem areas early: marking areas where disease, a lack of water or a nutrient problem may be developing, before they are visible by eye.
  2. Irrigation and fertiliser planning: focusing on the zones that need it instead of treating the whole field the same.
  3. Counting and measuring: counting seedlings, calculating areas, assessing damage.
  4. Records and comparison: following how the same land changes over time.

Its limits

  • A drone image does not diagnose; why an area looks different has to be checked on site and with laboratory analysis (a soil sample, for example).
  • Results depend on weather, flight height and the sensor.
  • Flights must follow the relevant permits and regulations.

What does ApolloHelix do in this field?

ApolloHelix offers drone filming, aerial data collection, and mapping and reporting of the condition of land and vegetation from the images and data collected. We connect the data to our own analysis system so that it can be used for decisions; scope and sensors are set per request. See our services or request a quote.

This article is for information. Agricultural decisions need expert advice and on-site verification.