• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.126-137
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the vegetation fraction of soybeans, grown under different cropping conditions using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a red, green, and blue (RGB) camera. Methods: Test plots were prepared based on different cropping treatments, i.e., soybean single-cropping, with and without herbicide application and soybean and barley-cover cropping, with and without herbicide application. The UAV flights were manually controlled using a remote flight controller on the ground, with 2.4 GHz radio frequency communication. For image pre-processing, the acquired images were pre-treated and georeferenced using a fisheye distortion removal function, and ground control points were collected using Google Maps. Tarpaulin panels of different colors were used to calibrate the multi-temporal images by converting the RGB digital number values into the RGB reflectance spectrum, utilizing a linear regression method. Excess Green (ExG) vegetation indices for each of the test plots were compared with the M-statistic method in order to quantitatively evaluate the greenness of soybean fields under different cropping systems. Results: The reflectance calibration methods used in the study showed high coefficients of determination, ranging from 0.8 to 0.9, indicating the feasibility of a linear regression fitting method for monitoring multi-temporal RGB images of soybean fields. As expected, the ExG vegetation indices changed according to different soybean growth stages, showing clear differences among the test plots with different cropping treatments in the early season of < 60 days after sowing (DAS). With the M-statistic method, the test plots under different treatments could be discriminated in the early seasons of <41 DAS, showing a value of M > 1. Conclusion: Therefore, multi-temporal images obtained with an UAV and a RGB camera could be applied for quantifying overall vegetation fractions and crop growth status, and this information could contribute to determine proper treatments for the vegetation fraction.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.80-89
• /
• 2008

Generally, trees lining the streets are the most easily accessible green areas in the city and constitute the smallest basic unit in the formation of the urban linear green axis. This study attempts to interpret issues related to city trees from a comprehensive and relational viewpoint. The site of this study is Central Park Street in front of Incheon Metropolitan City Hall. This street is representative of those in Incheon City. This study is an inter-relational interpretation of issues by measuring the vitality of these trees. The following are results of this study: First, the vitality of city trees is higher in those trees growing in natural ground than those growing in plant gratings. This observation can lead to budget savings and increased natural areas in the city. Also, if planter and multi-layering planting methods are introduced where damage to trees is predicted, variation to urban landscape can be achieved while linking to reinforced rearing foundation of street-side trees. Second, there is need for a holistic approach to caring for street-side trees regarding the damage caused by drastic pruning and strong street lights. The typical functions of these trees, like supplying freshness in summer, absorbing solar radiation, and controlling the urban micro-climate are closely related to the vitality of the trees. Accordingly, the function and ecology should be understood holistically, not separately. In this aspect, the functional and ecological use of the multi-layering planting method is effective in protecting pedestrians from vehicles as well. Third, the fallen leaves of monotonous rows of trees have different ecological and functional effects. Not only is the index of greenness in the urban setting increased, but there are also aesthetic and symbolic effects. Fourth, in spite of being the street along which Incheon Metropolitan City Hall, major administrative buildings and Central Park are located, this street does not have its own special identity to discriminate it from other streets. It fulfills only functional criteria based on uniformity. If there is no paradigm shift from today's street system based on vehicles, the role of landscape architecture will be very passive in regards to street-side trees, the minimum unit of urban green. Fifth, on this particular street, many trees were planted in December, which reflects a deficiency of short and long-term strategy, like a street-tree master plan. In this aspect, we still lack a mature culture concerning these trees as a basic unit in urban greenery. Furthermore, there needs to be cultural introspection concerning present administrative practices.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.65 no.4
• /
• pp.377-385
• /
• 2020

Recently, wheat consumption has been increasing in Korea, requiring increased production. Nitrogen fertilization is a critical determinant in crop yield; therefore, it is necessary to optimize the nitrogen fertilization regime with current trends that emphasize the minimum impact of nitrogen fertilizer on the environment. In this study, both nondestructive spectral analysis using a hyperspectral camera and growth analysis were performed to determine the optimal N top-dressing rates after heading. The nitrogen application regimes consisted of three conditions according to the secondary top-dressing rate: N_4:3:0 (0 kg 10 a^-1), N_4:3:3 (2.73 kg 10 a^-1), and N_4:3:6 (5.46 kg 10 a^-1). Subsequently, growth and physiological investigations were performed at the jointing, heading, and ripening stages of wheat, and spectral investigations were conducted. On April 29, as the nitrogen fertilization rate was increased to N_4:3:3 and N_4:3:6, plant height and grain yield increased by 4% and 8%, and 8% and 52%, respectively, compared to those under N_4:3:0. Leaf area index and SPAD value also increased by 13% and 24%, and 32% and 43%, respectively. The R (red), G (green), and B (blue) of leaf color were lowered by 15, 11, and 4 in N_4:3:3 and 44, 34, and 18 in N_4:3:6, respectively, as compared to the control. Grain yield was the highest at high top-dressing (N_4:3:6), however, there was no difference between no top-dressing (N_4:3:0) and intermediat top-dressing (N_4:3:3). The reflectance analyzed using a hyperspectral camera showed a difference in the near-infrared (NIR) region on March 19, and on April 29, there was a difference both in the visible light region greater than 550 nm and the NIR region. Vegetation indices differed according to fertilization regime, except for the greenness index (GI). The results of this study showed that not only growth and physiological analysis but also spectral indices can be used to optimize the nitrogen top-dressing rate.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.435-441
• /
• 2007

Ground-based optical sensing over the crop canopy provides information on the mass of plant body which reflects the light, as well as crop nitrogen content which is closely related to the greenness of plant leaves. This method has the merits of being non-destructive real-time based, and thus can be conveniently used for decision making on application of nitrogen fertilizers for crops standing in fields. In the present study relationships among leaf nitrogen content of rice canopy, crop growth status, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values were investigated. We measured Green normalized difference vegetation index($gNDVI=({\rho}0.80{\mu}m-{\rho}0.55{\mu}m)/({\rho}0.80{\mu}m+{\rho}0.55{\mu}m)$) and NDVI($({\rho}0.80{\mu}m-{\rho}0.68{\mu}m)/({\rho}0.80{\mu}m+{\rho}0.68{\mu}m)$) were measured by using two different active sensors (Greenseeker, NTech Inc. USA). The study was conducted in the years 2005-06 during the rice growing season at the experimental plots of National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology located at Suwon, Korea. The experiments carried out with randomized complete block design with the application of four levels of nitrogen fertilizers (0, 70, 100, 130kg N/ha) and same amount of phosphorous and potassium content of the fertilizers. gNDVI and rNDVI increased as growth advanced and reached to maximum values at around early August, G(NDVI) were a decrease in values of observed with the crop maturation. gNDVI values and leaf nitrogen content were highly correlated at early July in 2005 and 2006. On the basis of this finding we attempted to estimate the leaf N contents using gNDVI data obtained in 2005 and 2006. The determination coefficients of the linear model by gNDVI in the years 2005 and 2006 were 0.88 and 0.94, respectively. The measured and estimated leaf N contents using gNDVI values showed good agreement ($R^2=0.86^{***}$). Results from this study show that gNDVI values represent a significant positive correlation with leaf N contents and can be used to estimate leaf N before the panicle formation stage. gNDVI appeared to be a very effective parameter to estimate leaf N content the rice canopy.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.107-119
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study is to examine the current status of vascular plants and naturalized plants growing in the Seongeup Folk Village in Jeju and to consider and compare their distribution patterns and the characteristics of emergence of naturalized plants in other folk villages and all parts of Jeju, thereby exploring measures to well manage naturalized plants. The result of this study is as follows.11) The total number of vascular plants growing in Seongeup Folk Village is identified to be 354 taxa which include 93 families, 260 genus, 298 species, 44 varieties and 12 breeds. Among them, the number of naturalized plants is 55 taxa in total including 22 families, 46 genus, 53 species, and 2 varieties, which accounts for 21.7% of the total of 254 taxa identified all over the region of Jeju. The rate of naturalization in Seongeup Folk Village is 15.5%, which is far higher than the rates of plant naturalization in Hahoi Village in Andong, Yangdong Village in Gyeongju, Hangae Village in Seongju, Wanggok Village in Goseong, and Oeam Village in Asan. Among the naturalized plants identified within the targeted villages, the number of those growing in Jeju is 9 taxa including Silene gallica, Modiola caroliniana, Oenothera laciniata, Oenothera stricta, Apium leptophyllum, Gnaphalium purpureum, Gnaphalium calviceps, Paspalum dilatatum and Sisyrinchium angustifolium. It is suggested that appropriate management measures that consider the characteristics of the gateway to import and the birthplace of the naturalized plants are necessary. In the meantime, 3 more taxa that have not been included in the reference list of Jeju have been identified for the first time in Seongeup Folk Village, which include Bromus sterilis, Cannabis sativa and Veronica hederaefolia. The number of naturalized plants identified within the gardens of unit-based cultural properties is 20 taxa, among which the rate of prevalence of Cerastium glomeratum is the highest at 62.5%. On the other hand, the communities of plants that require landscape management are Brassica napus and other naturalized plants, including Cosmos bipinnatus, Trifolium repens, Medicago lupulina, Oenothera stricta, O. laciniata, Lotus corniculatus, Lolium perenne, Silene gallica, Hypochaeris radicata, Plantago virginica, Bromus catharticus and Cerastium glomeratum. As a short-term measure to manage naturalized plants growing in Seongeup Folk Village, it is important to identify the current status of Cosmos bipinnatus and Brassica napus that have been planted for landscape agriculture, and explore how to use flowers during the blooming season. It is suggested that Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Hypochaeris radicata, designated as invasive alien plants by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, should be eradicated initially, followed by regular monitoring in case of further invasion, spread or expansion. As for Hypochaeris radicata, in particular, some physical prevention measures need to be explored, such as for example, identifying the habitat density and eradication of the plant. In addition, it is urgent to remove plants, such as Sonchus oleraceus, Houttuynia cordata, Crassocephalum crepidioides, Erigeron annuus and Lamium purpureum with high index of greenness visually, growing wild at around high Jeongyi town walls. At the same time, as the distribution and dominance value of the naturalized plants growing in deserted or empty houses are high, it is necessary to find measures to preserve and manage them and to use the houses as lodging places.