Field and Mobile Phenotyping
APPN field phenotyping systems provide an ecosystem of consistent multimodal sensing platforms across the country for collaborative research.
APPN mobile phenotyping units (MPU) are designed to bring high-throughput digital phenotyping technology and expertise to remote sites – making our infrastructure available for trials almost anywhere in Australia.
Each MPU provides airborne (UAV) and ground-based phenotyping platforms. These are equipped with an array of imaging systems, including RGB cameras, multi- and hyper-spectral sensors, and LiDAR scanners.
APPN provides technical expertise in operating MPU platforms, and provides support for processing, analysing and management of the resulting datasets.
Please refer to the Technology Factsheet, or continue reading below for more information:
Airborne phenotyping
APPN’s airborne phenotyping capabilities allow for rapid phenotyping of crop performance. We provide:
- A range of platforms offering high resolution RGB, multispectral, hyperspectral and LiDAR sensing
- Trained operators and optimised mission protocols for agriculture/horticulture
- Expert data analysts who can develop data models for a wide range of traits
- FAIR data processing pipelines enabling the delivery and management of quality data
UAV-based phenotyping is able to image hectares of crop field trials in a single mission, with each flight collecting information about trial quality, plant height, fractional cover, biomass proxies, plant stress indicators and more. Multiple missions can map changes over time.
Our combination of available systems provides flexible and agile options for every field phenotyping project. RGB images can be analysed to detect and count physical traits such as plant emergence, disease symptoms, flower and head/pod counts, etc, while LiDAR generates a high-resolution 3D point cloud of the crop structure.
Analysis of hyperspectral image data, coupled with ground-truthing, can be used to develop algorithms allowing automatic assessments of numerous phenotypic indicators such as leaf angle, nutrient use, water content, phenology, disease, abiotic stress, yield components and more.
Each of our Mobile Phenotyping Units has skilled UAV operators. APPN flight protocols combine world’s best practices with the requirements of typical crop field trials in Australia. Once data has been collected it can be processed using reproducible and well documented analysis methods with support from the APPN Data Team. Expert analysts are available to develop data models for specific traits, and the team is happy to consult with users to develop robust models.
Available technologies:
Our base aerial platform is the APPN M3M system comprising:
- DJI Mavic 3M UAV
- Hasselblad 20MP RGB camera
- Integrated 4-band (G, R, RE, NIR) multispectral sensor
The higher-spec APPN HIRES platform:
- DJI M350 UAV
- Phase One P3 120MP RGB camera for high-definition imagery
The sophisticated APPN GOBI:
- DJI M350 or Inspired Flight IF1200 UAVs
- Sony ILX-LR1 61MP RGB camera*
- Headwall Nano HP hyperspectral (400 - 1000 nm) sensor*
- Ouster OS1 LiDAR*
*This multi-sensor package from GRFYN also includes fully integrated capture and processing software
Our advanced APPN CALVIS platform:
- Inspired Flight IF1200 UAV
- Headwall co-aligned VNIR-SWIR (400 - 2500 nm) sensor for full range hyperspectral imagery*
- Velodyne LiDAR package*
*This multi-sensor package from GRFYN also includes fully integrated capture and processing software
Ground-based phenotyping
Our ground-based phenotyping platforms combine advanced sensor technologies with soil moisture and weather monitoring systems to provide comprehensive monitoring, measurement and analysis of crop performance.
Available technologies:
Our Trial Environment Monitoring System includes the APPN TEMS comprised of:
- ICT climate station to monitor air temperature, delta-T, relative humidity, rainfall, and wind speed & direction
- Sentek soil moisture probes measuring soil moisture to depths of 120cm
- Field cameras for in-field view
- All supported and accessible on the APPN weather station portal
The APPN LITERAL, a lightweight, handheld phenotyping platform:
- A ground-based handheld platform by Hiphen including RGB and NIR sensors
- Provides high-resolution plant feature detection, classification and quantification for small plot trials
- Includes preconfigured algorithms for plant counts, early vigour, plant height, leaf area index, and more
The APPN PHENOMATE, a high-resolution ground-based sensor platform:
- Ideal for close, detailed phenotyping of individual plant traits
- Built on the Bonzai Robotics AMIGA robotic rover with adjustable track width
- 20MP RGB camera
- Specim FX10 VNIR hyperspectral sensor
- Ouster 3D LiDAR/SICK 2D LiDAR sensors
Please contact our National Field Phenomics Director or our Nodes to explore how our infrastructure and expert support can enhance your research. Field and Mobile phenotyping services are available in:
