Comparison of vegetation indices for leaf area index estimation in vertical shoot positioned vine canopies with and without grenbiule hail-protection netting

Date
2019-05-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Leaf area per unit surface (LAI—leaf area index) is a valuable parameter to assess vine vigour in several applications, including direct mapping of vegetative–reproductive balance (VRB). Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) has been successfully used to assess the spatial variability of estimated LAI. However, sometimes NDVI is unsuitable due to its lack of sensitivity at high LAI values. Moreover, the presence of hail protection with Grenbiule netting also affects incident light and reflection, and consequently spectral response. This study analyses the effect of protective netting in the LAI–NDVI relationship and, using NDVI as a reference index, compares several indices in terms of accuracy and sensitivity using linear and logarithmic models. Among the indices compared, results show NDVI to be the most accurate, and ratio vegetation index (RVI) to be the most sensitive. The wide dynamic range vegetation index (WDRVI) presented a good balance between accuracy and sensitivity. Soil-adjusted vegetation index 2 (SAVI2) appears to be the best estimator of LAI with linear models. Logarithmic models provided higher determination coefficients, but this has little influence over the normal range of LAI values. A similar NDVI–LAI relationship holds for protected and unprotected canopies in initial vegetation stages, but different functions are preferable once the canopy is fully developed, in particular, if tipping is performed.
Description
CITATION: Towers, P. C., Strever, A. & Poblete-Echeverria, C. 2018. Comparison of vegetation indices for leaf area index estimation in vertical shoot positioned vine canopies with and without grenbiule hail-protection netting. Remote Sensing, 11(9): 1073, doi:10.3390/rs11091073.
The original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.com
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
Keywords
Vegetation indices, Grenbiule netting, Precision viticulture, Determination of grape quality, Vertical shoot positioned canopies
Citation
Towers, P. C., Strever, A. & Poblete-Echeverria, C. 2018. Comparison of vegetation indices for leaf area index estimation in vertical shoot positioned vine canopies with and without grenbiule hail-protection netting. Remote Sensing, 11(9): 1073, doi:10.3390/rs11091073