Sugarcane spatial-temporal monitoring and crop coefficient estimation through NDVI

ABSTRACT The use of satellite images as a complement in irrigation management constitutes a primordial basis in the decision-making process for irrigated agriculture. In this context, the present study aimed to monitor through Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) an irrigated sugarcane field belonging to the Mafambisse company, located at the District of Nhamatanda/Sofala, Republic of Mozambique, and establish its relationship with the crop coefficient established by FAO (kcFAO) and fit a regression model to estimate crop coefficient (kc) from the relationship between NDVI and kcFAO. The study was conducted using a series of Sentinel-2A/MSI images, relative to the period from October 2016 to October 2017. Based on the NDVI images generated, it was possible to monitor the sugarcane crop in the field and analyse the sensitivity of the index to its vegetative vigor. A similar pattern was observed between kcFAO profiles and NDVI values, which allowed the adjustment to be performed, demonstrating that this index is an alternative to obtain the crop coefficient.