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Monitoring Maize Growth and Calculating Plant Heights with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Optical Satellite Images

Author

Listed:
  • İbrahim Arslan

    (Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Graduate Program, Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07058, Turkey)

  • Mehmet Topakcı

    (Department of Agricultural Machinery and Technologies Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07058, Turkey)

  • Nusret Demir

    (Department of Space Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Science, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07058, Turkey)

Abstract

The decrease in water resources due to climate change is expected to have a significant impact on agriculture. On the other hand, as the world population increases so does the demand for food. It is necessary to better manage environmental resources and maintain an adequate level of crop production in a world where the population is constantly increasing. Therefore, agricultural activities must be closely monitored, especially in maize fields since maize is of great importance to both humans and animals. Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Sentinel-2 optical satellite images were used to monitor maize growth in this study. Backscatter and interferometric coherence values derived from Sentinel-1 images, as well as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and values related to biophysical variables (such as Leaf Area Index (LAI), Fraction of Vegetation Cover (fCover or FVC), and Canopy Water Content (CW)) derived from Sentinel-2 images were investigated. Sentinel-1 images were also used to calculate plant heights. The Interferometric SAR (InSAR) technique was applied to calculate interferometric coherence values and plant heights. For the plant height calculation, two image pairs with the largest possible perpendicular baseline were selected. Backscatter, NDVI, LAI, fCover, and CW values were low before planting, while the interferometric coherence values were generally high. Backscatter, NDVI, LAI, fCover, and CW values increased as the maize grew, while the interferometric coherence values decreased. Among all Sentinel-derived values, fCover had the best correlation with maize height until maize height exceeded 260 cm (R 2 = 0.97). After harvest, a decrease in backscatter, NDVI, LAI, fCover, and CW values and an increase in interferometric coherence values were observed. NDVI, LAI, fCover, and CW values remained insensitive to tillage practices, whereas backscatter and interferometric coherence values were found to be sensitive to planting operations. In addition, backscatter values were also sensitive to irrigation operations, even when the average maize height was about 235 cm. Cloud cover and/or fog near the study area were found to affect NDVI, LAI, fCover, and CW values, while precipitation events had a significant impact on backscatter and interferometric coherence values. Furthermore, using Sentinel-1 images, the average plant height was calculated with an error of about 50 cm.

Suggested Citation

  • İbrahim Arslan & Mehmet Topakcı & Nusret Demir, 2022. "Monitoring Maize Growth and Calculating Plant Heights with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Optical Satellite Images," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-27, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:6:p:800-:d:829698
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. I. P. Kovács & T. Bugya & Sz. Czigány & M. Defilippi & D. Lóczy & P. Riccardi & L. Ronczyk & P. Pasquali, 2019. "How to avoid false interpretations of Sentinel-1A TOPSAR interferometric data in landslide mapping? A case study: recent landslides in Transdanubia, Hungary," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 96(2), pages 693-712, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Jędrejek & Rafał Pudełko, 2023. "Exploring the Potential Use of Sentinel-1 and 2 Satellite Imagery for Monitoring Winter Wheat Growth under Agricultural Drought Conditions in North-Western Poland," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-17, September.

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