Satellite remote sensing and crop growth monitoring

In a recent study for the Space Application Institute (SAI) of the Joint Research Centre (JRC, Ispra) the integrative use of high and low resolution satellite data and crop growth models have been studied by SC-DLO. Vegetation indices as derived from both high and low resolution satellite data were used to estimate crop parameters. Especially if the actual situation deviates considerably from the mean situation, more realistic yield figures were obtained. Evapotranspiration maps have been composed using both satellite systems. In general areal patterns as obtained with high and low resolution satellite data were in agreement with each other. This means that such images are highly relevant to detect alarming situations concerning crop water supply during the growing season. A quantitative analysis should be further elaborated, integrating satellite observations and crop growth model simulations.