The seven color image above shows a classified aerial image of an
almond field in California. The trees in this field were mature
trees except for a square in the southeastern corner of the field
that had been re-planted recently.
The grower discovered two problems in this field:
1) The image showed the western third of the field to have a
lighter overall appearance with a distinctive line across the
field. The lighter color represents a relative weaker stand or
less vegetation in this part of the field compared to the rest if
the field. The cause of this has been identified as low pressure
in the drip irrigation line due to an obstruction or the length of
the line. The water source is on the east side of the field. By
the time the water reaches the west side of the field the pressure
has dropped below the required pressure for adequate irrigation.
2) The image also showed two areas with significant weaker
vegetation on the western end of the field compared to the rest of
the field. These areas were identified as having a high saline
content. The grower had noticed some differences in these areas in
the field, but was not aware the areas to be this large.
By catching the irrigation problem
early, the grower was able to increase the profitability of this
field for the current year. In addition, an application of gypsum
could correct the problem spots on the western side of the field
to increase profitability of the field even more.
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