Digital recording of temporal sequences of images applied to the analysis of the phenological evolution of maize crops

Abstract

This paper intends to implement registration of images to temporal sequences of maize crops digitally sensed in field trials through the use of a robotic platform. The navigation of trials of this platform equipped with visible and multispectral light sensors, and the registration processes used allow us to generate “stacks images” by different genetic varieties of maize with the aim of obtaining a phenological characterization of them, and to compare them. In addition to the basic problems of displacement, lighting, and angle of the different captures, there is the drawback that the objects (plants) are not the same and in many cases also not similar to the previous images (different phenological stages). Added to this is the complexity of sensing the images in outdoor environments, and in particular the general conditions in the field (uneven path surface, climatic conditions). The proposed algorithms are part of the generation of multilayer digital image data banks that allow, through other digital analysis and processing techniques, the automated identification and interpretation of different characteristics for the determination of the response of the different genetic varieties of corn that is studied.