Using SAR to develop a crop growth index

Currently, arable farmers are able to view their growing crops thanks to optical satellites. AgSpace Agriculture has been processing and selling NDVI (Normalised Differentiation Vegetation Index), chlorophyll and soil brightness imagery to over 3,000 UK farmers. Optical imagery has proven popular and there are many examples of how variable rate applications benefit both the farmer financially and the environment. However, the one major disadvantage of multispectral imagery is its inability to function in cloud or at night and its inability to create a crop index that has meaningful growth stage information. The objectives of this service were to demonstrate the advantages of using both optical and radar satellite technologies to provide information on the general crop growth stages and detailed in-field variation required by farmers. Crop Growth Index data was provided via the existing precision farming toolbox, the CGI components were validated, a system capable of operating outside the UK was developed and the overall uptake of precision farming services was increased.