Detection of water deficit using optical data — case study Poland

The SPOT VEGETATION and NOAA AVHRR images have been used as the source of information on crop growing conditions and yield forecast for cereals and winter wheat in Poland. Three indices - Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), Accumulated Vegetation Condition Index (AVCI) based on NDVI and Temperature Condition Index (TCI) based on surface temperature have been computed for agriculture area in Poland. These indices were correlated with cereal yield and critical periods of crop development were found as significant for this relationship. The information about indices from particle decades was included into the cereals and winter wheat yield modelling. The database of the indices and obtained statistical models were used for developing the Predictive Indices (PTVCI, PTAVCI, VCIAVG) applied for the forecast of yield for each decade of the year. The method may be used operationally due to its simplicity and easy obtainable data.