Doctoral Dissertations
Date of Award
12-2019
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Major
Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences
Major Professor
Tyson Raper, Mike Buschermohle
Committee Members
Angela McClure, Leim Tran
Abstract
The interest of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to support management decisions through the use of quantitative data is evaluated in efforts to estimate emerged cotton plant population and stand uniformity. Results suggest plant population and stand uniformity may be successfully estimated from low altitudes of when utilizing an UAV equipped with a multispectral sensor. The provided chapters detail developed methods to determine plant population and stand uniformity through a novel and simplistic process, encompassing efficient geospatial tools. Upon estimation of stand establishment, the provided manuscripts also provide a model for understanding yield potential based upon plant population and planting date. Results indicate stands with uniformity greater than 90% provide optimum yields. Increased plant populations provide optimum yield if planted earlier in the planting window, but reduced stands may become acceptable upon emergence if planted later in the planting window. This dissertation hopes to provide producers an avenue to utilize quantitative UAS data to make the decision of whether to accept or replant a cotton stand more simplistic.
Recommended Citation
Butler, Shawn, "Making the Replant Decision: Utilization of an Aerial Platform to Guide Replant Decisions in Tennessee Cotton. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 2019.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/5959
Comments
Chapters have been developed for publishing in journal articles. Current chapters will be completed in coming weeks.