Monitoring diseases of chestnut stands by small format aerial photography

Abstract Italian chestnut stands located near Montepastore (Bologna‐Italy) were selected as a test area for aerial ‐photographic monitoring. An Ultra Light Motorplane (U.L.M.) and small format aerial color‐infrared (CIR) photography were used to survey the plants. The vegetative condition of the chestnut trees and diseased plants were identified. Dead and severe damaged trees were clearly detected on photographs and mapped. Ground surveys and lab tests confirmed the presence of ink disease caused by Phytophtora cambivora (Vein) Buiss. and chestnut blight caused by Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr on the trees. Results indicated that low altitude CIR aerial photography obtained from U.L.M. may be a relatively inexpensive tool to assess stress conditions in chestnut orchards.