长期以来，遥感技术一直被应用于作物病害的检测和地图绘制工作。在作物生长季节获得的机载和卫星图像不仅可以用于某些病害的早期发现和季节内管理，还可用于未来季节中复发性病害的管控。尽管传统的地毯式杀虫剂施用更适于对付能够迅速在田间传播的病害，然而，在作物病害稳定的情况下，精准农业中的变量控制技术（VRT）亦可以有针对性地对受感染地区的作物有效施用杀菌剂。本文简述了已用于作物病害检测和管理的遥感技术和精准农业技术。具体来说，本文详细阐明了利用机载技术、卫星图像和VRT在棉田中检测棉花根腐病（一种破坏性的土壤传播性真菌病）和绘制分布地图的原理，介绍了从图像中提取处方图以施用定点杀菌剂并有效控制作物病害的方法。本文介绍的案例和方法力图为研究人员、推广人员、种植者、作物顾问、农场设备和化学品经销商提供有关遥感检测和有效管理某些作物病害的实用指南。

Remote sensing technology has long been used to detect and map crop diseases. Airborne and satellite imagery acquired during growing seasons can be used not only for early detection and within-season management of some crop diseases, but also for the control of recurring diseases in future seasons. With variable rate technology in precision agriculture, site-specific fungicide application can be made to infested areas if the disease is stable, although traditional uniform application is more appropriate for diseases that can spread rapidly across the field. This article provides a brief overview of remote sensing and precision agriculture technologies that have been used for crop disease detection and management. Specifically, the article illustrates how airborne and satellite imagery and variable rate technology have been used for detecting and mapping cotton root rot, a destructive soilborne fungal disease, in cotton fields and how site-specific fungicide application has been implemented using prescription maps derived from the imagery for effective control of the disease. The overview and methodologies presented in this article should provide researchers, extension personnel, growers, crop consultants, and farm equipment and chemical dealers with practical guidelines for remote sensing detection and effective management of some crop diseases.