Analysis of Growth Characteristics Using Plant Height and NDVI of Four Waxy Corn Varieties Based on UAV Imagery

Although waxy corn varieties developed after the 1980s show differences depending on development stages and conditions, studies on the characteristics of waxy corn during the growth stage are rare. The subject of this study was a field survey and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) image acquisition of four waxy corn varieties cultivated in Idam-ri, Gammul-myeon, Goesan-gun, Korea. The study was conducted in four stages at intervals of two weeks after planting in 2019. The growth characteristics of each of the four varieties were analyzed using growth curves obtained based on field survey and UAV imagery data. The characteristics of each growth stage of the four varieties of corn, as assessed using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and plant height (P.H.) values, were as follows. The growth model was identified as a model in which three-parameter logistic (3PL) curves reflect the growth characteristics of corn well. In particular, it was found that the variations in growth rate shown by P.H. and NDVI values clearly explain the differences between corn varieties. Among the four cultivars, growth and development first occurred at the early vegetative stage in Daehakchal, followed by Mibaek 2, Miheukchal, and finally Hwanggeummatchal. The variationsin P.H. and NDVI were achieved quickly and earlier in Daehakchal, followed by Mibaek 2, Hwanggeummatchal, and Miheukchal. It was confirmed that these results reflected the characteristics of the fast white-type varieties, while the black-type varieties were delayed, as in a previous study. These results reflect the resistance to lodging that affects the cultivation environment and the response characteristics to nutrients and moisture. It was confirmed that UAV accurately provides growth information that is very useful for analyzing the growth characteristics of each corn variety.