Thermal and multispectral hi-resolution images for water stress monitoring in a super intensive olive crop

Abstract

In the context of Digital Agriculture technologies, temperature and multispectral images are used to analyze and monitor crop water status. These images are obtained using thermographic and multispectral cameras mounted on drones, satellites, or fixed structures. Thermal indicators help optimize irrigation in areas with irrigation systems. This study monitored the water status of a super-intensive olive grove with drip irrigation using thermal maps, CWSI, and NDVI. Four irrigation treatments with different replenishment levels (100%, 70%, 50%, and 25%) were applied to observe the effects on irrigation variability. Images were taken during six days of the 2024/25 campaign with cameras mounted on a drone. The methodology for reconstructing Orthomosaics and designing maps is presented, along with the description of the software tools used. Finally, high-resolution georeferenced maps of crop temperature, CWSI, and NDVI and their evolution during the campaign are shown.