Tree-Level Evapotranspiration Estimation of Pomegranate Trees Using Lysimeter and UAV Multispectral Imagery

This chapter presents an in-depth investigation into the tree-level evapotranspiration estimation of pomegranate trees, employing a novel approach that integrates lysimeter measurements with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) multispectral imagery. The chapter begins with an introduction, underscoring the importance of accurate evapotranspiration estimation for effective water resource management in pomegranate orchards. The materials and methods are meticulously detailed, including the study site description and the process of UAV image collection and processing. The methodology includes the determination of individual tree crop coefficients ( \(K_{c}\) ) from Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), spatial variability mapping of \(K_{c}\) and crop evapotranspiration ( \(ET_{c}\) ), and the assessment of performance in individual tree-level evapotranspiration estimation. Results and discussions unfold, revealing insights into the determination of individual tree \(K_{c}\) , the spatial variability mapping of \(K_{c}\) and \(ET_{c}\) , and the overall performance of the individual tree-level evapotranspiration estimation method. The chapter concludes with a set of comprehensive conclusions, summarizing key findings and their implications for advancing digital agriculture practices in pomegranate cultivation.