High-Throughput Prediction of Whole Season Green Area Index in Winter Wheat With an Airborne Multispectral Sensor

In recent decades, the interest has grown to quantify the green area index as one of the key characteristics of crop canopies (e.g. for modelling transpiration, light interception, growth). The approach of estimating green area index based on multispectral reflection data from unmanned airborne vehicles with lightweight sensors might have the potential to deliver data with sufficient accuracy and high throughput during the whole season.

We therefore examined the applicability of a recently launched drone-based multispectral system (Sequoia, Parrot) for the prediction of whole season green area index in winter wheat, with data from field trials in Northern Germany (2017, 2018 and 2019). The explanatory power of different modeling approaches to predict green area index based on multispectral data was tested: linear and non-linear regression models, multivariate techniques, and machine learning algorithms. Further, different predictors were implemented in these models: multispectral data as raw bands and as ratios. Additionally, a new approach for the evaluation of green area index predictions during senescence is introduced. It is shown that a robust calibration during growth phase is applicable during senescence as well.

A linear model which includes all four wavebands provided by the sensor in three ratios (VIQUO) and a Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm allow a reliable and sufficiently accurate whole season prediction. The VIQUO-model is recommended as the best model, as it is precise but still relatively simple, thus easier to communicate and to apply than the SVM. The integrated values of predicted green area indices in an independent trial are highly correlated with their final biomass (R²: VIQUO = 0.84, SVM = 0.85) which represents the process of radiation interception, one of the determining factors of growths. This is an indicator for both, a robust model calibration and a high potential of the tested multispectral system for agricultural research and crop management.