Optimal Time Period for Using NDVI and LAI to Estimate Rice Yield

This study was to monitor changes of leaf area index (LAI) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), calculated from ground-based remotely sensed high resolution reflectance spectra, during rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. TNG 67) growth so as to determine their relationships and the optimum time period to use these parameters for yield prediction. Field experiments were conducted at the experimental farm of TARI to obtain various scales of grain yield and values of LAI and NDVI in the first and the second cropping seasons of 2001-2002. It was found that LAI and NDVI can be mutually estimated through an exponential relationship, and hence plant growth information and spectral remote sensing data become complementary counterparts through this linkage. Correlation between yield and LAI was best fitted to a nonlinear function since about 7 weeks after transplanting (WAT). The accumulated and the mean values of LAI from 15 days before heading (DBH) to 15 days after heading (DAH) were the optimum time period to predict rice yield for First Crops, while values calculated from 15 DBH to 10 DAH were the optimal timing for Second Crops.