Remote sensing and spectral assessment of crop traits for precision agriculture and breeding
Expertise in assessing plant condition using spaceborne, airborne, and ground hyper- and multi-spectral sensors. Validated methods for estimating leaf area index, biomass, water status, and grain yield in chickpea, plus non-destructive chlorophyll assessment in wheat, with drone-based RGB imaging for breeding experiments.
Overview
The Plant Sensing Laboratory offers expertise in assessing crop condition and plant traits using a combination of spaceborne, airborne, and ground-based hyper- and multi-spectral sensors. The core value proposition is the ability to estimate key plant traits non-destructively and at scale, enabling data-driven decisions in irrigation management, yield prediction, and crop breeding programs. Recent work includes a two-season chickpea irrigation experiment across commercial and experimental fields, where leaf area index, biomass, water status, and grain yield were successfully estimated from both satellite and ground platforms. Complementary work includes a non-destructive spectral method for measuring chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in living wheat plants.
Technical specifications
Core capabilities:
- Estimation of plant traits including leaf area index, biomass, water status, and grain yield from spaceborne and ground sensors
- Non-destructive spectral assessment of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in in-vivo wheat plants
- Multi-platform sensor integration spanning satellite, airborne, and proximal ground measurements
- Multi-site field validation across commercial fields and small experimental plots
Future development direction:
- High-resolution RGB imagery from drones to assess wheat traits throughout the growing season, including emergence rate, growth rate, and plant height
- Application of drone-based imaging for breeding experiment support
- Collaboration with Prof. Yanhui Guo at the University of Illinois on drone-based wheat trait assessment
Technology readiness level
The chickpea irrigation assessment methods have been validated across two growing seasons at four sites, including two commercial fields and two small experimental sites, though results are not yet published. The non-destructive chlorophyll spectral assessment in wheat has been developed in living plants. The drone-based RGB imaging approach for wheat trait assessment in breeding experiments is in the development and validation stage. The laboratory is positioned to advance these methods toward broader deployment in precision agriculture and breeding applications.
About Hebrew University of Jerusalem
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is a comprehensive public research university with multiple campuses in Jerusalem and an agricultural campus in Rehovot. Its integration with Hadassah’s university hospitals enables clinical studies, access to varied patient populations, and co‑located research that accelerates translation. Industry engagement runs through Yissum, the university’s tech‑transfer company, managing IP, licensing, startup creation, and sponsored research agreements. Research is supported by competitive national funding and international programs, including European Union frameworks.
delivered to your inbox.