Heritable variation in tree growth and needle vegetation indices of slash pine (Pinus elliottii) using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

Vegetation indices (VIs) are mainly associated with plant yield, and yield-related physiological traits can assist in breeding selection. Tree breeding programs require a rapid assessment of a large number of individual trees across multiple regions. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) multispectral platforms combined with high spatial, temporal and spectral resolutions can readily assess the VIs at various plant growth phases, which has been deeply...