This instruction tells you how to produce a Crop Density (Population) Report from low-altitude photos from the drone. 


1. Data Collection


Kindly adhere to the following instructions when capturing drone photographs:

1. Ensure the camera is nadir-directed (pointing directly downward).
2. Maintain an even distribution of images across the field.
3. Set the altitude at 10-12 meters.
4. The photos must be clear enough for individual plants to be detectable by the eye.
5. Take a first photo as near as possible to the starting location.
6. Limit image capture to the specific crop of interest.
7. Avoid photographing beyond the field's boundaries.

Key reminders:

- For optimum crop detection with the DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral drone, 10-12 meters is the recommended altitude.
- Images must be clear and free from blur.

NOTE: When using the DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral drone, please make sure you capture multispectral photos (i.e., *.TIF files).


And again, separate plants should be detected on photos by eye, as shown in the photo below:


Overlap or a strictly regular grid between photos is not required; it is enough that the photos were collected in different parts and cover the field evenly:



The first photo should be as close to the starting point as possible. At this point, the level of the earth's surface should be the same as at the starting point. (This is required to take into account height differences in the field):


Only the inner area of the field should be visible in the photographs (visible areas outside the crop can make significant errors as a result of calculating the density at the following points:


2.  Crop Density Report generation

2.1 Create Asset 

To Create a New asset, press the button from the list of Assets.


2.2. Create or Import field border


2.2.1 After the Asset is created, move to the Map tab and draw the field's border on the map. Use the button to find your field location by name or GPR coordinates in format :latitude,longitude


You also may import KML, KMZ, and SHP files:


2.2.2 Save your work 




2.3. Create Mission


2.3.1 Then, create a Mission from the same Asset/Details window by pressing 


2.3.2 In the below window:


2.3.3. Select the “Inspection” type of Mission and enter/change the following data in the fields that appear:


- Optionally, enter the name of the Mission. By default, the current date is the name of the mission

- Change the scouting date if it is needed. 


2.3.4 Press the button "Create"


2.4. Upload photos into Mission

2.4.1. Press the link ADD POIS PHOTOS in the section "Files" of the below window:

2.4.2 After that, select and upload your files:





2.4.4. You can review every point in the list after uploading is finished:

2.5. Fill in specific properties of the Mission

 

2.6. Report Generation

2.5.1. Press and select "Create density report" in the Mission window:


2.6.3. Fill out the form:

  • Enter Row distance (in cm) between rows

  • Select Crop type

2.6.4. Press the button :

2.6.5. Set the name, select the date of the report, and press the button "Generate"

2.7. Report Getting and Analysis


2.7.1. After the report is finished, you can review and analyze the report: