A research on determination of track dimension of tractor tires via imagines obtained by unmanned aerial vehicle in wheat cultivation

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in agriculture is diversifying and expanding day by day. In this study, it is aimed to determine the size of the tractor wheel trace in wheat crops with the help of uav images. Prior to the trials, the theoretical wheel track size was determined depending on the width of the tractor wheel. The trials were conducted by ParrotBluegrass and ParrotAnafiWork RGB unmanned aerial vehicle. In the trials, images taken by the UAV camera were transferred to the computer and the images were formatted according to the purpose. These formats have been converted into indexes such as orthofoto, NDVI, RED, GREEN, NIRetc. In addition, with the help of indexes, the effect of the slopes caused by the tractor wheel trace in wheat crops on plant health was examined. In the trials, the tractor wheel track size in the images obtained by the drones was determined and compared with the theoretical wheel track size. Tractor wheel tracks were detected in 83.95 m2 and 55.97 m2 area, respectively, when applications were made with work machines with a work width of 10 m and 15 m in a unit area of 1 da. When theoretical and average measurement values in images compared; measured values were found to be 6% higher. As a result of this study, it was concluded that drones could be used to determine the dimensions of tractor wheel tracks in wheat crops.