Precision Agriculture: Remote Sensing and Ground Truthing

Abstract

Remote sensing for agriculture can be defined simply as "observing a field or crop without touching it." Although remote sensing can be as simple as a "windshield survey" of a field from a truck at 55 mph, the history of modern remote sensing began when black-and-white photographs of the landscape were first taken from the air. Remote sensing, today, incorporates new technologies that provide increasing efficient, complete, accurate, and timely information. These new technologies, together with historical photographs, provide the informational basis for a practical management tool for site-specific management of crops.