A new approach towards the validation of weed sampling strategies

In order to achieve precise knowledge of weed spatial distribution in arable fields, high resolution sampling is necessary. Due to the time-consuming effect of a complete survey, arable fields are examined by samples. In this study, a new approach will be presented applying digital camcorders for a complete survey in order to optimise the sampling strategies. The camcorders were attached to a custom vehicle the WeedScanner. The camcorders were calibrated in order to achieve a coverage of a complete area applying overlapping video sequences. The sequences were analysed in order to gather continuous information about the abundance of weeds in an arable field. It was vital to garb single frames as bitmaps out of the video sequences to realise a georeferenced analysis. Therefore, a complete survey of every single weed plant on a specific field can be obtained. All procedure steps are to be automated and the camcorders are to be attached to a more robust vehicle. An automated procedure such like this will no longer be limited by the amount of possible camcorders attached.