Effects of Tree-Stripes on Crop Growth in Agroforestry Systems using UAS-based Analysis

Effects of Tree-Stripes on Crop Growth in Agroforestry Systems using UAS-based Analysis | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Effects of Tree-Stripes on Crop Growth in Agroforestry Systems using UAS-based Analysis Timo Kunzmann, Carsten Neumann, Nicole Koellner This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6289220/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 7 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Agroforestry systems (AFS) are an effective solution for addressing environmental challenges while meeting rising food demands. However, the complex interplay of factors makes research challenging, particularly in understanding the impact on crop yields. This study uses multispectral unmanned aerial system (UAS) data to investigate a maize-cultivated alley cropping system in eastern Germany. We derived the growth parameters NDVI and plant height as yield proxies and analysed them as a function of distance to the trees. Furthermore, we examined whether fluctuations in the field could be attributed to the trees using a direction-dependent regression analysis. The results showed to separate between two effects: First, a clear increase in NDVI appeared at a close distance from the trees, which is dependent on tree height. This is schematically shown for two tree-stripes. Second, at greater distances, fluctuations in the NDVI appear to be caused by the trees, but without any discernible systematic trends. There also seems to be considerable inconsistency in the variations in plant height. The discussion addresses the potential reasons for the close-range NDVI increase and the suitability of UASs to investigate AFS. The relationship between NDVI and maize yield is also addressed. It is concluded that the effects of the trees on crop growth and vitality are present, but rather marginal to clearly affect maize yields in the given location. agroforestry systems UAS crop yields plant heights vitality Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 28 Jul, 2025 Reviews received at journal 21 Apr, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 01 Apr, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 31 Mar, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 26 Mar, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 25 Mar, 2025 First submitted to journal 23 Mar, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6289220","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":437297816,"identity":"b3826022-7ba7-4617-9914-af09a13da986","order_by":0,"name":"Timo Kunzmann","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA5ElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACCTiLGYg/ADEbO7FaeIBaGGeAtDATrQVkEQ/MOnxAckbu4U83au7k2bNzJz62+bVNno+ZgfHDxxzcWqQl8hKMc449K+Zh5t1snNt327CNmYFZcuY23FrkJHIMknPYDif2MPNuk87tuc0I1MIGZOPXcjjnH1SLZc9te4JapCVyDJtz26BaGH7cTiSoRbLnjTFzbh9Qy2HezYa9DbeT25gZm/H6ReJ4jvHnnG+HE9v7z2588OPPbdv57c0HP3zEowUVMLaByQZi1YPAH1IUj4JRMApGwUgBAMX5TCwmApfDAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Timo","middleName":"","lastName":"Kunzmann","suffix":""},{"id":437297817,"identity":"462c6b56-22e7-4b94-b66f-1353594ad6d2","order_by":1,"name":"Carsten Neumann","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Carsten","middleName":"","lastName":"Neumann","suffix":""},{"id":437297818,"identity":"1228c0c4-201e-4690-8b64-8f185d9d8e9b","order_by":2,"name":"Nicole Koellner","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Nicole","middleName":"","lastName":"Koellner","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-03-23 15:53:11","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6289220/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6289220/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":79869043,"identity":"258c7da0-bd1f-4645-b6f6-cfc3bfd0a4c6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-04-03 20:24:22","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1313043,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"EffectsofTreeStripesonCropGrowthinAgroforestrySystemsusingUASbasedAnalysis.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6289220/v1_covered_16f7f8f4-7ac3-42e1-80bd-8129ef43ede3.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Effects of Tree-Stripes on Crop Growth in Agroforestry Systems using UAS-based Analysis","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"agroforestry-systems","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"agfo","sideBox":"Learn more about [Agroforestry Systems](http://link.springer.com/journal/10457)","snPcode":"10457","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10457/3","title":"Agroforestry Systems","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"agroforestry systems, UAS, crop yields, plant heights, vitality","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6289220/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6289220/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eAgroforestry systems (AFS) are an effective solution for addressing environmental challenges while meeting rising food demands. However, the complex interplay of factors makes research challenging, particularly in understanding the impact on crop yields. This study uses multispectral unmanned aerial system (UAS) data to investigate a maize-cultivated alley cropping system in eastern Germany. We derived the growth parameters NDVI and plant height as yield proxies and analysed them as a function of distance to the trees. Furthermore, we examined whether fluctuations in the field could be attributed to the trees using a direction-dependent regression analysis. The results showed to separate between two effects: First, a clear increase in NDVI appeared at a close distance from the trees, which is dependent on tree height. This is schematically shown for two tree-stripes. Second, at greater distances, fluctuations in the NDVI appear to be caused by the trees, but without any discernible systematic trends. There also seems to be considerable inconsistency in the variations in plant height. The discussion addresses the potential reasons for the close-range NDVI increase and the suitability of UASs to investigate AFS. The relationship between NDVI and maize yield is also addressed. It is concluded that the effects of the trees on crop growth and vitality are present, but rather marginal to clearly affect maize yields in the given location.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Effects of Tree-Stripes on Crop Growth in Agroforestry Systems using UAS-based Analysis","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-04-03 20:00:15","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6289220/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-07-28T13:57:00+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-04-21T09:28:03+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"197630371583650504330469668304907426693","date":"2025-04-01T06:12:09+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-03-31T12:33:18+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-03-26T17:48:06+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-03-25T13:31:56+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Agroforestry Systems","date":"2025-03-23T15:38:52+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"agroforestry-systems","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"agfo","sideBox":"Learn more about [Agroforestry Systems](http://link.springer.com/journal/10457)","snPcode":"10457","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10457/3","title":"Agroforestry Systems","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"1eb82c55-28d9-435d-81ae-74fbacdb2f93","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 3rd, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-10-20T08:53:23+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-04-03 20:00:15","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6289220","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6289220","identity":"rs-6289220","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}