Analysis of Sampling Errors with Traversing Radiation Sensors in Corn Canopies1
Thomas R. Sinclair, Raymond Louis Desjardins, Edgar R. Lemon · Agronomy Journal · 1974
Abstract A traversing system with a fast responding, photocell light sensor was used to measure mean irradiance in corn (Zea mays L.) canopies. Data were recorded by digital and analog recorders to analyze the sampling problems with a moving sensor. Sampling rates of once every 4 seconds for a row‐planted crop and once every 8 seconds for a uniformly planted crop were required to yield satisfactory mean irradiance values from a fast responding sensor. In addition, sensors with time constants at least as long as 8 seconds could be used to measure mean irradiance. Therefore, we recommend that the sampling rate for a traversing sensor in a maize leaf canopy be at least as frequent as the time constant of the sensor, but in any case the sampling rate does not need to be any more frequent than once every 4 seconds.