Accuas Inc is a dynamic, innovative, and progressive company that has combines remote sensing technology with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to produce leading-edge spatial data and analysis. Serving a diverse range of clients, Accuas Inc is currently utilizing its unique services to assist various wineries and viticulturalists in developing best practices to maximize both vine vigour and health. One of the ways we have achieved this is through utilizing Normalized Differences Vegetative Index (NDVI) imaging and analysis.

If properly utilized by the vineyard manager and winemaker, NDVI imagery and data will:

1. Increase the return on vineyard assets through improving efficiency
2. Improve vineyard management practices and protocols
3. Enhance grape quality and overall wine product
4. Increase block organization and uniformity
5. Allow the winemaker to view block production and quality at multiple scales
6. Improve efficiency in grape sampling
7. Increase harvest design effectiveness

Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI)

Currently, many researchers utilize satellite data to assess and evaluate the type, extent, and health of various forms of vegetation in a specific region. Researchers use this data to determine a number of variables, including the number of acres of certain crop types in a region, the extent to which the vegetation in a given area has been adversely impacted by natural or human-originating stresses, such as fire, disease, pests, pollution, and drought. Furthermore, this data can be used to demarcate boundaries between various ecosystems. These types of data sets are very valuable as they can be used to develop an understanding of the ecology of a particular region or area over various time intervals—days, weeks, months, years, decades, etc. One of the methods used to produce these types of data sets is the vegetative index.

A vegetative index is a value that is formulated through various sets of data acquired by using techniques associated with remote sensing. The acquired data is used to quantify the vegetative cover of the area in question. Though many vegetative indices exist, the most widely used index is the Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI). The NDVI is calculated as a ratio between measured reflectivity in the red and near infrared segments of the electromagnetic spectrum. These two spectral bands are used because they are most impacted by the absorption of chlorophyll in vegetation and by the density of vegetation on the surface. Also, in red and near-infrared bands, the contrast between vegetation and soil is at a maximum.

The NDVI is a type of product that is created by transforming raw image data into an entirely new image through using various mathematical formulas to calculate the color value of each pixel in a given image. This type of product is particularly useful in multi-spectral remote sensing since new images can be created that highlight relationships and differences in spectral intensity across multiple bands of the electromagnetic spectrum.

However, rather than relying on satellite imagery for NDVI data, which can be very costly and usually requires very large areas of analysis to make the acquisition of the data cost effective, Accuas Inc uses cutting-edge technology and innovative processes that are specifically calibrated for this type of data acquisition in small to medium sized areas. In particular, at Accuas Inc we believe that NDVI data would invaluable for increasing the productivity and revenue of vineyards and associated wineries.

A recent example of the success of using NDVI imagery and data on a vineyard can be found in Australia. A small area was used to initiate a differential harvesting program, which used NDVI imagery and data to divide the area into high quality and low quality sections. Using this imagery and data, the area was differentially harvested which increased the returns by over $100, 000 or close to $13, 000 an acre.

Vineyards and NDVI Images and Data: Improving Your Operation

The use of NDVI images and data enables the quick identification of problem areas within the vineyard; subsequently, using this data, a field examination plan can be rapidly developed and deployed to determine what the problems are in particular areas of the vineyard, e.g. water, soil nutrition, or disease. Furthermore, using GIS technology, the images can be geo-referenced in a digital format, thereby enabling the information to be uploaded to a hand held device and used to immediately locate problem areas when in the field.

In addition to identifying problem areas within the vineyard, NDVI imagery and data can be used to increase revenue through improving fruit quality and increasing vineyard uniformity by enhancing the tools used for vineyard management. For instance, sample areas for petiole analysis can be determined from NDVI imagery and data as petiole pressures correspond with NDVI classes. NDVI imagery and data can be used to establish best practices for irrigation, resulting in the reduction of water usage through improving water distribution. Furthermore, NDVI imagery and data can be used to increase the precision of fertilization and enhance application control.

NDVI images and data are excellent for designing sampling areas for grape quality. Using NDVI classification techniques, the winemaker will be able to identify differences between NDVI color regimes and determine differences in the grapes, such as sugar levels, taste qualities, and cluster size. The color regimes can then be used to develop a relatively accurate estimate of fruit distribution within each regime.

Finally, NDVI images and data can be used to develop effective and efficient harvest plan based upon grape quality and grape maturity. Similar to demarcating sampling areas, NDVI images and data can be used to develop harvest blocks and/or harvest sub-blocks.

Accuas Inc is committed to providing winemakers with the innovative tools and services necessary to both reduce costs and cultivate the best product possible. As the market for geospatial technologies in the winemaking sector continues to expand in North America and beyond, Accuas Inc will continue to remain on the cutting edge in order to remain ahead of the competition and ensure that people always have access to good wine.