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Analysis of institutional authors

Valero, ConstantinoAuthor

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June 9, 2019
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Discriminating Crop, Weeds and Soil Surface with a Terrestrial LIDAR Sensor

Publicated to: SENSORS. 13 (11): 14662-14675 - 2013-11-01 13(11), DOI: 10.3390/s131114662

Authors:

Andújar, D; Rueda-Ayala, V; Moreno, H; Rosell-Polo, JR; Escolà, A; Valero, C; Gerhards, R; Fernández-Quintanilla, C; Dorado, J; Griepentrog, HW
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Affiliations

CSIC, Inst Agr Sci, E-28006 Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Hohenheim, Dept Weed Sci 360b, D-70599 Stuttgart, Germany - Author
Univ Hohenheim, Inst Agr Engn, Sect Instrumentat & Test Engn 440c, D-70599 Stuttgart, Germany - Author
Univ Lleida, Res Grp AgroICT & Precis Agr, Dept Agr & Forest Engn, Lleida 25198, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, ETSI Agronomos, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
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Abstract

In this study, the evaluation of the accuracy and performance of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor for vegetation using distance and reflection measurements aiming to detect and discriminate maize plants and weeds from soil surface was done. The study continues a previous work carried out in a maize field in Spain with a LIDAR sensor using exclusively one index, the height profile. The current system uses a combination of the two mentioned indexes. The experiment was carried out in a maize field at growth stage 12-14, at 16 different locations selected to represent the widest possible density of three weeds: Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv., Lamium purpureum L., Galium aparine L. and Veronica persica Poir.. A terrestrial LIDAR sensor was mounted on a tripod pointing to the inter-row area, with its horizontal axis and the field of view pointing vertically downwards to the ground, scanning a vertical plane with the potential presence of vegetation. Immediately after the LIDAR data acquisition (distances and reflection measurements), actual heights of plants were estimated using an appropriate methodology. For that purpose, digital images were taken of each sampled area. Data showed a high correlation between LIDAR measured height and actual plant heights (R-2 = 0.75). Binary logistic regression between weed presence/absence and the sensor readings (LIDAR height and reflection values) was used to validate the accuracy of the sensor. This permitted the discrimination of vegetation from the ground with an accuracy of up to 95%. In addition, a Canonical Discrimination Analysis (CDA) was able to discriminate mostly between soil and vegetation and, to a far lesser extent, between crop and weeds. The studied methodology arises as a good system for weed detection, which in combination with other principles, such as vision-based technologies, could improve the efficiency and accuracy of herbicide spraying.
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Keywords

Area densityAvena-sterilisCanopyChemical controlLaserReal-timeSite-specific managementSite-specific weed controlVegetationVolumeWeed proximal-sensingWide row cropsWinter barley

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal SENSORS due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2013, it was in position 15/27, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Electrochemistry.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from World Citations provided by WoS (ESI, Clarivate), it yields a value for the citation normalization relative to the expected citation rate of: 2.3. This indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: ESI Nov 13, 2025)

This information is reinforced by other indicators of the same type, which, although dynamic over time and dependent on the set of average global citations at the time of their calculation, consistently position the work at some point among the top 50% most cited in its field:

  • Weighted Average of Normalized Impact by the Scopus agency: 1.76 (source consulted: FECYT Mar 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2026-04-24, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 67
  • Scopus: 75
  • Europe PMC: 15
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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-24:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 177.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 177 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 3.

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/32547/

As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

  • Views: 465
  • Downloads: 275
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Germany.

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Awards linked to the item

This research was funded by the Foundation Alfonso Martin Escudero.
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