Use of aerial remote sensing platforms for evaluation of nitrogen and water stress of irrigated maize

Aerial sensing platforms have been used at the University of Nebraska since 1998 to investigate crop stress and it's underlying causes, primarily nitrogen and water stress of irrigated maize. A variety of fixed wing and rotary airframes have been used as sensing platforms. A variety of sensors have been used as well, ranging from standard RGB cameras to passive and active multispectral sensors. The presentation will discuss  opportunities and challenges with current platforms and sensors, and potential applications for aerial sensing systems for irrigated maize in the future.