Evaluating high spatial resolution imagery for detecting citrus orchards affected by sooty mould

This study evaluated high spatial resolution colour‐infrared (CIR) (2.44 m) and pansharpened CIR imagery (0.61 m) for detecting citrus (Citrus spp.) orchards affected by sooty mould (Capnodium citri), an indicator of insect infestation of a citrus grove. These resolutions were chosen because they are equivalent to the spatial resolution of multispectral and pansharpened QuickBird imagery. Citrus groves north‐west of Mission, Texas, USA, were assessed. CIR photography and image processing software were used to develop the images. Sooty mould‐affected areas were readily detected on the CIR and pansharpened CIR images. The latter provided better detail, increasing image interpretation accuracy. Findings of this study support the theory that high spatial resolution satellite imagery may be used to detect sooty mould‐affected citrus orchards.