**4.4 Discussions**

The NDVI value, calculated from the LARS images collected for 65 days old crop, was suitable to estimate the total biomass (r2 = 0.760) and rice crop yield (r2 = 0.728). The protein content estimated through NDVI value was marginally suitable, capable to provide overall rice crop quality before-hand. The LARS system is suitable for real and near-real time crop parameter estimation, monitoring and evaluations. The NIR sensors can be substituted with any professional camera or cheap digital camera to optimize cost involved. The overall efficiency of the LARS system will be dependent on the sensors mounted on the helicopter. A skilled labor can easily handle the whole system with least supervision. The LARS not only replaces the satellite based image processing system but also ground level spectrophotometer, chlorophyll content measuring equipments. With little time, the system will be ready for taking images, for instance, just after rainfall.
