Researchers in the UK are investigating the potential for 'unmanned aerial vehicles' (also called UAVs or drones) to monitor crops and crop experiments. Scientists at Rothamsted research said they believe measurements taken from aerial observation will eventually replace manual ground-based measurements.

Rothamsted Research has obtained a high performance radio remote-controlled octocopter equipped with four distinct cameras, and will be putting the equipment to use in collecting data from experimental crop plots at each of the Institute's sites. Researchers will also use the UAV on other trial sites, to help scientists from collaborating organisations.

Rothamsted researchers said collection of data using the drone will give unique perspectives on crop growth and plant functioning, improving the screening of crops of different genetic background for performance, nutrition, stress, pathogen and disease responses. A spokesperson said use of new technology, like the UAV would "keep the UK at the forefront of agricultural research."

According to scientists at the Hertfordshire Institute, the UAV 'octocopter' is a standard 8 rotor battery powered unmanned aerial vehicle, similar to those used in the film industry. Four cameras have been added, two of which at any time can give a live feed of their picture to a monitor on the ground. One camera, which can take videos and stills is on a fixed mounting, pointing forwards, and is used to identify where the camera is flying, via goggles. The other three cameras are all mounted on a stabilized platform which can be tilted remotely from the transmitter, and comprise a high definition RGB camera, a thermal infra red camera and a hyperspectral camera.

Dr Malcolm Hawkesford, at Rothamsted Research said, "We are very excited to have been able… to obtain this unique equipment. The UAV will be deployed over the full range of crops studied at the institute and will enable detailed evaluations of growth and functioning of the plants."

He continued, "It is anticipated that many thousands of plots will be monitored sequentially or in parallel in blocks in projects currently screening germplasm variation amongst thousands of lines combined with multiple treatments and replications".

This is the first time that an agricultural research organisation in the UK has obtained such a high tech UAV to monitor trials. Rothamsted Director Professor Maurice Moloney said the technology would be put to use on various wheat projects and the Institute's Cropping Carbon work.  

Use of drones has become a major issue in recent years, as employing vehicles without pilots in certain settings, mostly in combat and surveillance situations, raises serious ethical quandaries.