What electromagnetic (EM) bands are used in precision agriculture applications?

Precision agriculture relies on various electromagnetic bands to gather detailed information about crops, soil conditions, and other environmental factors. The visible and near infrared bands are particularly important for these applications because they provide critical insights into plant health and growth.

The visible spectrum allows farmers to observe how crops interact with light, which can be indicative of their overall health and stress levels. For example, the color of the plants can reveal whether they are thriving or struggling due to issues like drought or disease.

The near infrared spectrum is especially useful for assessing plant vigor and biomass. Plants reflect near infrared light more than other surfaces, such as soil or dead vegetation, which helps in distinguishing healthy crops from unhealthy ones. Tools like multispectral and hyperspectral sensors utilize these bands to produce data that can be analyzed and used to make informed decisions in farming practices.

Other options mentioned, such as ultra violet and infrared, or infrared and X-ray, do not specifically target the needs of crop monitoring in an effective way. Similarly, microwave and radio frequencies are not typically used in the precision agriculture context, as they are more suited for communication technologies and other applications unrelated to detailed crop analysis.