Open AccessApplying satellite images to spectral signature development of maize production (Zea mays L.) under colombia’s middle tropics conditions
Author(s) -
Edier Fernando Ávila Vélez,
Natalia Escobar,
Carlos Francisco Morantes Choconta
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
entramado
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2539-0279
pISSN - 1900-3803
DOI - 10.18041/1900-3803/entramado.2.5734
Subject(s) - spectral signature , hectare , crop , tropics , agriculture , satellite , production (economics) , environmental science , zea mays , remote sensing , agronomy , crop yield , yield (engineering) , agricultural engineering , geography , biology , ecology , engineering , materials science , macroeconomics , archaeology , aerospace engineering , metallurgy , economics
Maize is currently the world’s second largest crop in terms of production, after wheat and rice. It is the first cereal as for grain yield per hectare and the second, after wheat, regarding total production. Maize has great economic importance worldwide, both as human and/or animal food, and as a source of a large number of industrial products. New digital technologies are allowing greater monitoring of farming production stages. This research developed the spectral signature of maize fields ground covers across different growth stages (2 months, 2.3 months and 4.3 months). Similarly, this research paper proposes the application of a methodology based on four phases: 1. Maize crop georeferencing, 2. Satellite images selection, 3. Radiometric calibration of images 4. Spectral signature development of maize crops. Spectral response or signature of maize crops at visible and near-infrared wavelengths was obtained, indicating significant changes in crops growth. The use of satellite imagery becomes an interesting tool that introduces an approach towards more accurate and controlled monitoring systems in agricultural production.