Geometrical Characterization of Hazelnut Trees in an Intensive Orchard by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for Precision Agriculture Applications

Knowledge of tree size is great importance for the precision management a hazelnut orchard. In fact, it has been shown that site-specific crop allows best possible and efficiency use inputs. Generally, measurements parameters are carried out using manual techniques time-consuming, labor-intensive not very precise. The aim this study was to propose, evaluate validate simple innovative procedure images acquired by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) canopy characterization in intensive considered were radius (Rc), height (hc), (htree) trunk (htrunk). Two different methods used assessment volume UAV images. performance method evaluated comparing data Pearson correlation coefficient root mean square error (RMSE). High values obtained Rc, hc htree while low htrunk. proposed calculation promising.