Examining the potential for active optical sensors to provide biomass estimation in improved and native pastures

Abstract

This study examined the potential for Active Optical Sensors (AOS) to provide estimates of green biomass in improved and native pastures. Two sampling campaigns were undertaken across two pasture types (improved and native) in September and October 2011. The AOS was found to correlate poorly with the green fraction of the sward in September when senescent material dominated the sward, particularly in the improved pastures. In contrast the AOS demonstrated good correlations with green dry matter in October when there was a higher proportion of green material in the sward. The correlation was particularly sound for the improved pasture (r² 0.91) and better than expected for the native pasture (r² 0.63). This study demonstrates the potential for AOS to provide rapid estimates of biomass in both improved and native pastures and suggests that further research be undertaken to further quantify the value of these sensors.