AGCSATech Drone Services

Data from Multispectral remote sensing drones provide essential feedback on the health of Sportsturf. Turf Managers are utilising the benefits of Multispectral sensors on Golf Courses, Sportsfield & Grounds, Racetracks, Bowling Greens, Tennis Courts or Council Parks and Gardens and Greenspace areas.
  

What is Multispectral Technology? 

The human eye is sensitive only to wavelengths between 390 and 700 nm (nanometres) which is known as the “visible spectrum”, where the human eye can perceive a variety of colours primarily ranging from violet to red.

The spectrum however, is much larger than the human eye is able to see.

The chart (right) shows the complete spectrum, indicating the relatively small % of light that the human eye is capable of seeing.  

Wavelengths can also be shorter (ultraviolet) or longer (infrared) than those of our visible eyesight.  By most estimates, humans are able to see around 0.0035% of the electromagnetic spectrum (that includes gamma rays, radio waves, x-rays, infrared, ultraviolet, microwaves etc)


Even though we are unable to see them, these invisible wavebands are extremely indicative of the agronomic characteristics of Turfgrass, soil, plants, weeds and crops.  

Due to their significantly expanded ability to process light, Multispectral data can detect Turf problems from pests, disease, invasive weeds and stress to Turf on Sportsfields or Greens long before the naked eye will notice.


This allows the early identification of many turf issues, irrigation performance on turf areas including variances between greens, fairways and rough areas, and understand plant and tree health far earlier than the human eye – often turf or plant health concerns are visible only after the issue has progressed to become a problem.

  

The relatively small % of light and colour that the human eye is capable of seeing, compared to the AGCSATech Multispectral Drone (Circled) serviices, that assist Turf Managers in understanding Turf issues before they become visible problems

Benefits of Using Multispectral Drones


Making use of the advanced data capabilities of Multispectral Analysis including NDVI, NDRE, NIR and RGB is fast becoming a very essential tool every Turf Professional and Golf Course Superintendent with the ability to capture both visible and invisible imagery of Turf and Plant performance.  


Being able to know which areas require more maintenance than others allows the Turf Manager to use resources more effectively.  Understanding which areas require more water or less water, which areas are experiencing high levels of turf stress, or which are experiencing disease - allows the Turf Manager to potentially save thousands in water and maintenance costs, whilst at the same time improving playing conditions and Turf quality. 

Multispectral Drones assist Turf Managers to: 

  • AGCASTech’s multispectral Turf Assessment data will identify turf health, pests, disease and invasive weeds, allows the Maintenance Team to optimise herbicide and water usage through early detection
  • Provide essential data on soil fertility allowing for the best use of irrigation and fertilisation through detecting and understanding nutrient deficiencies
  • Understand the effects of Shade on Turf health and vigour
  • Measure irrigation to properly identify areas of the golf course or Sportsfield where turf stress, water stress, excess watering or drainage is not working optimally. This allows for improvement to these land areas such as install drainage systems, topography changes or install waterways - saving time, resources and money.
  • View damage to turf areas from machinery and make necessary repairs or improvements to maintenance program.
  • Plant counting and spacing. Determine population or spacing issues of various species, and assess if a type is starting to over populate areas on the golf course
  • Complete plant height, canopy and biomass measurements
  • View damage to high wear and high traffic areas, allowing areas to be quarantined to allow for turf regeneration, or improvements to area usage patterns & programs
  • Survey fencing, walking and cart paths to determine wear from exit points and facility buildings 
  

Drones can be used to study the health of a Sportsfield or Golf Course from a different perspective given we can only see so much from the ground. This “invisible to the eye” multispectral data provides early detection of stress to Turf or greens, fairways, shrubs and trees allowing Maintenance teams to take corrective actions before issues arise.

 

Multispectral drones can be used to analyse the irrigation, health and general stress levels against dormancy of the turf that is unseen to the naked eye allowing more effective preventative maintenance programs to be implemented.

 

Map key Golf Course and Sportsfield features

Produce current maps and renderings of Sportsfields, Greenspaces or Golf Courses, allowing Turf Managers to see overall course health and areas of turf stress. Using easy to use tools, superintendents and maintenance crews can monitor all course features, equipment and areas of interest from sprinkler heads to traffic flow to turf stress.

 

Marketing your Golf Course or Sportsfields

It can be difficult to stand out as a pristine golf course. In today’s society, people will most likely go to your website before making any decisions on whether to play or join a particular course. By utilising a drone video, a golf course can really separate themselves from the competition by showcasing their individuality and beauty. The video can be displayed on a golf course's website to create an immersive experience that can be emotionally felt by the potential customer.

 

 

Contact the AGCSATech Agronomy team to discuss your requirements

 

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