At Agrolab, we are proud to announce that our innovative drone-based canopy height measurement method is now officially approved by the Danish GEP inspection unit. This technology aligns with EPPO guideline PP1/333(1), which supports the adoption of digital innovations for efficacy evaluations in plant protection.
The Challenges of Traditional Canopy Height Measurement
In field trials, reliable and accurate canopy height data is essential for assessing crop growth and evaluating plant protection products. Traditionally, measurements have been taken manually using a ruler, but this method has limitations:
- Inconsistent Sampling: Only 5–20 measurements per plot are typically collected, which may not represent the entire field.
- Human Bias: The choice of measurement locations can unintentionally skew results.
- Labor-Intensive Process: Manual measurements require significant time and effort, especially for large-scale trials.
With GEP approval, Agrolab is now able to offer a validated and superior alternative using drone technology.
How Drone Technology Transforms Field Trials
Our newly adopted drone technology overcomes these challenges by capturing thousands of data points per plot. Here’s how it works:
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Precision Data Collection: Drones measure canopy height across the entire plot, generating a true average without human bias.
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Advanced Segmentation: For early-stage crops, the technology identifies and isolates plant data, excluding soil measurements for enhanced accuracy.
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Increased Efficiency: Drones significantly reduce the time and labor required for data collection while improving overall data quality.
The result? More reliable and comprehensive insights into crop performance, empowering our clients to make informed decisions.
Figure 10: Orthophoto of trial. Purple dots points used for interpolating of ground elevation model. Green squares area used for height measurements.
Figure 11: Height model
Recognition by the Danish GEP Inspection Unit
Our method aligns with the EPPO guideline PP1/333(1), which emphasizes the adoption of digital technologies for efficacy evaluations in plant protection products. The Danish GEP inspection unit’s approval of our drone-based canopy height measurement is a testament to the method’s reliability and compliance with industry standards.
Figure 13: The Average height measured with ruler (average of 20 subsamples) and the average height measured with the drone with 9975 sampling points.
What This Means for Our Clients
This advancement underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality field trial data. By leveraging drone technology, we provide:
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More Reliable Results: Thousands of measurements ensure accurate data.
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Faster Turnaround Times: Streamlined data collection accelerates project timelines.
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Reduced Costs: Increased efficiency means fewer resources are needed.
Whether you’re developing new plant protection products or seeking precise efficacy data, Agrolab’s GEP-approved drone technology sets a new benchmark for field trials in Scandinavia and the Baltic States.
Learn More
Ready to explore how drone technology can elevate your field trials? Contact our Innovation manager Martin Gejl today or read more about drone imaging services.
Stay at the forefront of innovation with Agrolab—the leading private research organization in the EU North zone.
Martin Gejl
Innovation Manager
Phone: +4520736575
Email: mg@agrolab.dk
Learn More
Ready to explore how drone technology can elevate your field trials? Contact us today or learn more about our GEP field trial services.
Stay at the forefront of innovation with Agrolab—the leading private research organization in the EU North zone.
Drone FAQ
What is GEP-approved drone technology?
GEP-approved drone technology refers to digital methods validated by the Good Experimental Practice (GEP) inspection unit for conducting reliable and precise canopy height measurements in field trials.
Why are drones better than traditional methods?
Drones provide thousands of data points for canopy height, eliminating human bias and improving accuracy, particularly in early crop growth stages.
How does Agrolab use drones in field trials?
Agrolab’s drones capture high-resolution data, segment soil and plants, and ensure compliance with EPPO guidelines for efficacy evaluations.
Do you offer custom drone soloutions?
Yes. At Agrolab your needs are the priority. We will be happy to assist you whether it be a simple analysis of your drone image or a collaboration on developing and improving the services the drone can provide.