Project Overview
Commodities
Practices
Proposal abstract:
Development of a Wheat Tiller Density Mapping Tool (Wheat-TDM) Using Multiscale Remote Sensing to Support Nutrient Management and Yield Prediction
Wheat tiller density (WTD), the number of tillers per unit area, is a critical measure of early crop development that directly influences spike formation and final grain yield. Timely and accurate WTD information, particularly during the Feekes 4 to 5 tillering growth stages of wheat, helps farmers make informed nitrogen (N) fertilization decisions and estimate yield potential. However, current methods for assessing WTD rely on manual field counting, which is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and subject to human error. Additionally, ground-based point scale manual sampling lacks the spatial coverage needed to support site-specific nutrient management across entire fields. This project aims to develop a Wheat Tiller Density Mapping (Wheat-TDM) tool, an AI-powered, web-based application that enables farmers to generate automated, timely, and subfield-scale WTD maps using high-resolution satellite remote sensing data. The tool will be accessible via computer or mobile web browsers and generate WTD maps and reports for the farmer's fields.
The remote sensing data-based WTD estimation and mapping models will be built using cutting-edge deep learning algorithms, including Transformer-based architectures. AI-assisted data augmentation and domain adaptation techniques will be integrated to enhance model robustness and ensure reliable performance across different wheat varieties, field locations, years and environmental conditions. The tool's development will leverage an existing dataset of over 700 WTD samples and UAS multispectral imagery collected from 2022 to 2024. An additional 1,200 WTD samples will be collected from three geographically diverse wheat fields in South Dakota over two growing seasons during this project period. UAS-derived WTD maps will serve as ground truth for training and validating satellite-based models.
The operational prototype of the Wheat-TDM tool will be hosted on South Dakota State University's cloud infrastructure. It will be tested by collaborating wheat farmers, who will provide feedback on the dashboard and user interface design of the web application, usability, and its usefulness for guiding management decisions. The WTD maps generated by this tool can support wheat farmers to generate precision nutrient prescription maps and guide site-specific nutrient applications, enhancing nutrient use efficiency, yield, and profitability while reducing environmental impacts. Additionally, the early-season WTD maps can be used to predict final grain yield potential, supporting farmers in business planning and marketing.
Project objectives from proposal:
The primary audience for this project is wheat farmers in South Dakota and North Central Region, along with agricultural professionals such as crop consultants and extension agents. Through field demonstrations, extension publications, and access to the Wheat-TDM web application, this project is expected to generate both learning and action outcomes.
Learning outcomes include increased awareness and preliminary understanding among wheat farmers of how wheat tiller density (WTD) maps that derived from satellite remote sensing and artificial intelligence could support early-season nitrogen management decisions. Farmers will be introduced to the further potential of WTD maps in early estimation of final grain yield, the limitations of manual sampling, and the potential benefits of automated, spatially explicit WTD mapping. They may also gain initial familiarity with accessing and interpreting WTD maps through a prototype version of the Wheat-TDM web interface. These outcomes will be evaluated through short surveys and informal feedback collected during the SDSU Field Day Event demonstration and follow-up conversations with participating wheat farmers.
Action outcomes may include early interest or willingness among participating farmers to explore the use of WTD maps for assessing tiller development and considering their potential role in guiding nitrogen management decisions. Some farmers may also begin to recognize how WTD information could eventually support yield forecasting and operational planning. These initial behavioral indicators will be assessed through feedback surveys, interviews, and informal tracking of engagement with the prototype tool during testing phases.