Evaluating an image analysis system for mapping white clover pastures

We have developed an image analysis system for mapping white clover pastures. The information from digital colour photographs is processed by software (Trifolium.exe) specially designed for the purpose. The software estimates the coverage of clover, weeds and bare ground, and the unidentified remainder of the total area is regarded as covered by grass. To evaluate the reliability of the estimates of clover content, the clover on paper printouts of non-processed images were marked manually and analysed by a photo scanner and commercially available software. The outputs from Trifolium.exe and the estimates from scanned manual markings were highly correlated (r 2=0.81). A sensitivity test was conducted to quantify the impact of changes of six user-adjustable parameters of Trifolium.exe. The software output of clover coverage was sensitive for changes in three, soil coverage for changes in one, and weed coverage for changes in all parameters. The fact that the digital image acquisition and analysis produce nearly continuous and exactly positioned data, implies further that it is a very appropriate tool for analyses of spatial dynamics in grass-clover pastures.

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