Estimation of rice yield per unit using MODIS spectral index

Abstract

The first 19 bands of MODIS, covering visible to shortwave infrared spectral wavelength, were simulated by the ground-level reflectance spectra. All Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)-like and Ratio Vegetation Index (RVI)-like spectral indices formed by every two bands were calculated to obtain their determinate coefficients with theoretical and real yield. Results showed that combinative NIR-infrared index (b2, b19) and (b16, b19) of MODIS were strongly correlated with rice yield, specially the correlative coefficient exceeded the significant level in maturing stage, but combinative visible light index were strongly correlated with rice yield in early stage and poorly in late stage. The best spectral index were the combination of (b2, b19) and (b16, b19) in predicting rice yield in whole rice growth, if considering the spatial resolution, Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) was better than the two band combination of (b2, b19) and (b16, b19) and was best suitable for monitoring rice yield.