Utilizing airborne video imagery in kenaf management and production

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a rapid-growing nonwood fiber crop that can attain heights in excess of 5 m during a 150-200 day season. The tall kenaf coupled with the high plant densities used in commercial production can make visual detection of crop stress difficult. Airborne video imagery was evaluated for assessing kenaf production at three different locations. Results indicated that airborne video imagery had good potential for detecting crop stress resulting from Phymatotrichum root rot and the root-knot nematode/soil-borne fungi complex. Video imagery from all three locations indicated that remote sensing technology can provide an effective means for detecting and monitoring crop injury and disease movement in kenaf production. Airborne video imagery should be useful for detecting problem areas in large-scale plantings of kenaf. Identification of these potential problem areas should be beneficial to producers in regards to crop management. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.