The use of multi-temporal NDVI measurements from AVHRR data for crop yield estimation and prediction

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Abstract
This paper investigates the potential of using vegetation index profiles from AVHRR data to monitor crop yield. A retrospective study and predictive study is presented, for 1986-1988 and 1989 respectively, for an area in Northern Greece. Results are encouraging for operational crop monitoring. Yield for wheat, cotton, rice and maize crops has been estimated to a high degree of accuracy using a simple linear relationship between NDVI and yield. However input from an agro-meteorological model is recommended to modify the model during the grain-filling period of the wheat crop. The estimates stabilize 50-100 days prior to harvest enabling an early assessment of crop yield to be made.