Zachary Arcaro

Christmas tree growers are keenly interested in the potential of new technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV������������������s also known as drones) with the potential to complete tasks more efficiently and with less cost. This project will establish methods to remotely measure and inventory trees with the use of drones; will test the sensitivity of specific spectral indices to provide an indication of plant stress, pest infestation, or disease; will develop algorithms which can distinguish trees influenced by pests and pathogens from their healthy neighbors; and will assess pest presence using multispectral imagery obtained by drones. Experimental tests of an agricultural spray drone will be conducted in Christmas trees in comparison to conventional sprayers. Educational materials will be developed and used to transfer technology to Christmas tree growers. This project will rely on UAV equipment acquired through a Christmas Tree Promotion Board research grant. This project brings together foundational knowledge of Christmas tree production and unmanned aerial systems expertise from the Center for Geospatial Analytics at NC State University.

The Center for Geospatial Analytics will develop methods to identify, map and quantify (provide acreage) the areas within twelve North Carolina counties where sweet potatoes were planted during the 2015 growing season. The counties are identified as follows: Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Harnett, Johnston, Nash, Pitt, Sampson, Wayne and Wilson.