Satellite and UAV-based anomaly detection in vineyards

Abstract

One of the most frequent, most expensive and potentially more impactful tasks in crop management is surveying and scouting the fields for problems in crop development. Any biotic / abiotic stress undetected becomes a bigger problem to solve later, with a potentially cascading effect on yield and/or quality and, subsequently, crop value. For annual crops (such as corn, soy, etc.) this can be solved in a cost-effective way with Sentinel data. For permanent crops planted in rows (such as vineyards), the interference from the inter-row makes it much more challenging. Under a contract for the European Space Agency (ESA), Spin.Works has been developing an early anomaly detection system based on fusion of Sentinel-2 and UAV imagery, targeting an update rate of 5 days. The early anomaly detection is applied to vineyards, particularly, for nutrient and water stresses. The early anomaly detection system is integrated into Spin.Works’ MAPP.it platform and its development is being carried out in close cooperation with the internal R&D group of Sogrape Vinhos, Portugal's largest winemaker and a long-standing MAPP.it user.