The relations between spectral data and water in a crop production environment

The results of a correlation study between high spatial resolution (1m) Multi-Spectral Scanner (MSS) data and reference data with particular emphasis to soil-plant water parameters are presented. Digital images of the Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) research site in south central Ohio were acquired using MSS mounted on an aircraft. Gravimetric soil water, plant water, and plant residue information relating to MSS data were collected in April, July, August, and September, 1994. It was found that the correlation between MSS data and soil water was changed by the presence of crop residue versus bare soil. The combined water estimates from the soil and plant enhanced the correlation structure between MSS parameters and soil-plant water variables. It was also shown that when using soil water content data below the 0.5-2.0 cm soil depth, the correlation with MSS parameters decreased.