Estimating pasture biomass with active optical sensors. (1st June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Andersson, K.; Trotter, M.; Robson, A.; Schneider, D.; Frizell, L.; Saint, A.; Lamb, D.; Blore, C.
• Is Part Of: Advances in animal biosciences. Volume 8:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 754
• Page End: 757
• Publication Date: 2017-06-01
• Subjects: NDVI, -- plate meter, -- greenseeker; Animal nutrition -- Periodicals; Animal breeding -- Periodicals; Animal genetics -- Periodicals; Animal biotechnology -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.1017/S2040470017000838
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-4700

Abstract

Abstract : We investigated relationship between pasture biomass and measures of height and NDVI (normalised difference vegetation index). The pastures were tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea ), perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne ), and phalaris ( Phalaris aquatica ) located in Tasmania, Victoria and in the Northern Tablelands of NSW, Australia. Using the Trimble® GreenSeeker® Handheld active optical sensor (AOS) to measure NDVI, and a rising plate meter, the optimal model to estimate green dry biomass (GDM) during two years was a combination of NDVI and falling plate height index. The combined index was significantly correlated with GDM in each region during winter and spring (r 2 =0.62–0.77, P<0.001). Regional calibrations provided a smaller error in estimates of green biomass, required for potential application in the field, compared to a single overall calibration. Data collected in a third year will be used to test the accuracy of the models.