Videography is a means of providing location and quantification of problem areas in a field for use in field crop management. Video images are acquired in an interactive image capture and analysis system (ICAS) using 'Biovision' 3-tube infrared modified JVC RGB camera and Panasonic Digital 5000 RGB CCD camera with and without 710 cutoff filter as image sensors. The images are recorded and stored in VHS format with a Panasonic 2400 portable recorder. ICAS supports special features for image enhancement including image filtering, zoom, expand, and pseudo-color mapping. It also includes statistical analysis of definable areas and plots intensity distribution histograms, and provides mean and standard deviations of a defined image. The analysis system was evaluated for feasibility as a tool to locate and manage stress in cotton. Images were made of individual leaves under laboratory conditions, crop canopies at ground level, and the entire field through low-level aerial imaging. Analysis of reflectance video images from the cotton field using ICAS analysis system has potential for evaluation of crop management. Evaluation from other crops were correlated with available soil moisture, leaf nitrogen, and canopy temperature differentials at the time of imaging.

Intra-field variability makes management of a field difficult and often masks underlying environmental limitation to higher yield. Early site localization of variable growth vigor within a field provides a valuable management tool. Cotton fields in Arkansas represent a range of environmental, varietal, and cultural problems. The monitored fields during the growing season showed various stresses. It was concluded that the variability in the fields can be identified, and given some prior knowledge, decisions can be made to enhance productivity and profitability. Videography spectral analysis can provide an instantaneous view of an area and produce a permanent record for analytical comparisons. Research on expanding and evaluating ICAS analysis programs are continuing. The ICAS analysis programs have application in many areas of research and crop management.