Using Sensor Data to Evaluate Early Season Pest Control Strategies

A GreenSeeker® optical sensing application system was used to measure crop status and variability for early season insecticide/nematicide tests conducted at the Louisiana State University Ag Center’s Northeast Research Station, St. Joseph, LA. Plant bio-mass ratings identified using a vegetative index called NDVI (normalized difference vegetative index) were collected from selected plots designed to evaluate seed treatments, fumigation treatments, in-furrow granule treatments and side-dress treatments. Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS was used to facilitate accurate ratings. Data was recorded in Farm Works and plot maps of the NDVI records were exported as shape files and then incorporated into geo-referenced plots on the research farm. Statistical data comparisons using standard and geo-statistical methods are included.