An approach on LAI assimilation between field measurement and crop model simulation

LAI (Leaf Area Index) is an important parameter for plant growth status detecting. The traditional method to measure leaves´ area in field is time and labor consuming. In some remote sensing applications, LAI might be needed more intensively such as daily and weekly. Crop simulation models can be effective tools for simulating LAI, crop and soil water statuses, crop growth and development parameters at the daily step. Ground LAI measurements for winter wheat were carried out in several fields of Shunyi county, Beijing, China at several days´ interval during the crop growth season. The CERES-wheat model is run under local soil, weather and management conditions of a field site to simulate daily LAI values. The simulated LAI corresponded comparatively well with the measured ones at the early stage. The results suggested that the technique might be promising for estimating LAI, this make it possible to develop an approach to assimilate LAI of winter wheat between ground measurements and CERES-wheat simulation.