Multispectral imaging has long been a cornerstone of earth observation, used in satellite platforms like Landsat to monitor global environmental changes. In agriculture, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with advanced sensors are revolutionising how we monitor and manage crops.
What makes multispectral imaging so powerful is its ability to see beyond the visible spectrum. By capturing data across wavelengths such as near-infrared (NIR) and red edge, it enables detailed analysis of plant health, soil conditions and more. Techniques like the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) are just the beginning. This technology is proving invaluable across a wide range of agricultural applications.
The integration of UAVs has made it possible to scale these insights, allowing for rapid, large-area mapping that supports smarter, data-driven farming decisions.
Our imaging system in action
At the UK Agri-Tech Centre, our Trinity F90+ drone, paired with the MicaSense Altum sensor, has a flight time of up to 90 minutes. This setup is ideal for covering extensive farmland efficiently. The sensors cover Red, Green, Blue, NIR, Red Edge and Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR), making them a versatile tool for everything from crop health monitoring to thermal analysis.
Test, trial and demonstrate opportunities
- Crop Health Monitoring: Multispectral imaging can detect subtle changes in plant reflections that indicate stress, disease or nutrient deficiencies. This early pre-symptomatic detection allows for timely interventions to improve crop health and yield.
- Soil Analysis: By analysing different spectral bands, multispectral imaging can assess soil properties such as moisture content, organic matter and nutrient levels, helping farmers optimise soil management practices.
- Irrigation Management: Multispectral data can identify areas of water stress within a field, enabling precise irrigation management to conserve water and ensure optimal plant growth.
- Yield Prediction: By monitoring crop growth stages and health, multispectral imaging can help predict yields more accurately, aiding in better resource allocation and planning.
Yingwang Gao, Spectral Imaging Specialist at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said: “At the UK Agri-Tech Centre we offer a one-stop multispectral imaging solution from data capturing to data analysis which has been proven to be fast and reliable. Please reach out to us if you’d like a quick insight into crop health, yield prediction and more.”
Multispectral imaging was used in the Apple Orchard Health project, in collaboration with Landseer and Rumwood Green Farm, where healthy and diseased plots were surveyed and analysed. NDVI was derived from multispectral data and correlation analysis was carried out between health status and NDVI values.
Work With Us
Whether you’re launching a new agri-tech innovation or looking to harness AI and data systems to boost your operations, we’re ready to collaborate. Our pathway is designed to support ideas through to commercial success, supported by expert knowledge, cutting-edge facilities and a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture.
