• Mississippi State University
• Engineering Research Center
• NASA - Stennis Space Center

• Daniel B. Reynolds - Professor of Weed Science, Mississippi State University
• Charles E. Snipes - Plant Physiologist & Northwest Mississippi Cotton Specialist

• W. M. McCarty - Extension Leader & Cotton Specialist
• M. S. Cox - Assistant Professor of Soil Science, Mississippi State University
• R. L. King - Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mississippi State University

Harvest-aids are utilized in picker harvested cotton for three interrelated basic purposes: cotton defoliation, boll opening, and weed control/desiccation. Individual harvest-aids have specific strengths and weaknesses associated with them. One must recognize these attributes and make selections best suited to ones objectives while considering the crop and the environment in which it is growing. The objectives of this project are to correlate remotely sensed crop data to physiological maturity and/or percent open bolls and to utilize these data in conjunction with weather and harvest-aid efficacy information to facilitate harvest-aid selection and variable rate/application location. Ultimately, we would like to assess plant maturity and develop harvest-aid treatment maps from remotely sensed data.

Crop Type: Cotton

Study Site: Brooksville, Starkville, Stoneville

• 128 band hyperspectral (visible and near IR)
• 3 band multispectral (visible and near IR)
• ASD radiometers
• GPS ground referenced crop developmental maps

Data will be available for a limited number of varieties and environmental conditions in one to two years. Continued research will be necessary to develop comprehensive spectral libraries of plant developmental growth.

The cotton industry has long recognized the need for and value of research in cotton harvest-aids. The development of these capabilities would allow crop-consultants, extension personnel, and other private businesses to offer services to producers. These capabilities would facilitate site-specific as well as variable rate application of cotton harvest-aids. All cotton producers should be considered as potential users of this technology once it is developed.