Remote estimation of canopy chlorophyll content in crops

Authors

Anatoly A. Gitelson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Andrés Viña, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Veronica Ciganda, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Donald Rundquist, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Timothy J. Arkebauer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2005

Citation

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 32, L08403, doi:10.1029/2005GL022688, 2005

Comments

Copyright 2005 by the American Geophysical Union

Abstract

Accurate estimation of spatially distributed chlorophyll content (Chl) in crops is of great importance for regional and global studies of carbon balance and responses to fertilizer (e.g., nitrogen) application. In this paper a recently developed conceptual model was applied for remotely estimating Chl in maize and soybean canopies. We tuned the spectral regions to be included in the model, according to the optical characteristics of the crops studied, and showed that the developed technique allowed accurate estimation of total Chl in both crops, explaining more than 92% of Chl variation. This new technique shows great potential for remotely tracking the physiological status of crops, with contrasting canopy architectures, and their responses to environmental changes.