Comparison of crop yield prediction using both microwave and optical data
conference paper
Under the ESA study contract NR 9837/92/NL/GS synergy in the modelling of microwave will optical remote sensing data has been studied for agricultural crops. One of the most important issues is whether we could expect synergy from various remote sensing sources for crop yield prediction. Crop yield can be predicted already at an early stage of growth using various kinds of crop growth models with various levels of complexity. However, estimates of crop growth and thus yield predictions often are inaccurate for non-optimal growing conditions, e.g. due to pest and disease incidence, drought, frost damage or fertilizer deficiency. Remote sensing can provide information on the actual status of agricultural crops, thus offering the possibility of calibrating the growth modelling.
In this study we will analyse radar backscatter and optical reflectance from sugar beet crops at the MAC Europe 1991 Flevoland test site and we will examine the relations with the growth and development stages of sugar beet. Our final goal is then to answer the question whether radar can monitor sugar beet growth throughout the whole growing season and whether radar measurements can contribute to synergism with optical data in predicting sugar beet yield. The information from radar remote sensing is used in a twofold manner. Firstly, biomass is estimated by inversion of the Cloud model and, secondly, the use of structure changes of the sugar beet crop on the backscatter will be discussed. The Flevopolder dataset of MAC Europe 1991 is used.
In this study we will analyse radar backscatter and optical reflectance from sugar beet crops at the MAC Europe 1991 Flevoland test site and we will examine the relations with the growth and development stages of sugar beet. Our final goal is then to answer the question whether radar can monitor sugar beet growth throughout the whole growing season and whether radar measurements can contribute to synergism with optical data in predicting sugar beet yield. The information from radar remote sensing is used in a twofold manner. Firstly, biomass is estimated by inversion of the Cloud model and, secondly, the use of structure changes of the sugar beet crop on the backscatter will be discussed. The Flevopolder dataset of MAC Europe 1991 is used.
TNO Identifier
94951
Publisher
European Space Agency
Source title
MAC Europe 91, Final Results Workshop Proceedings, Lenggries, Germany, 4-6 October 1994
Editor(s)
Wooding, M.
Lodge, F.
Lodge, F.
Place of publication
Paris
Pages
131-137