Ground based remote sensing experiments using multispectral radiometer were condueted during December 1992 to March 1993, at horticultural field of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, located in Pune, over banana, grapes, brinjal and tomato crops for studying the spectral response at different growth stages and vigour. The spectral characteristics and the various vegetative indices of diseased and healthy plants are discussed in this paper. Besides its significance in ground based remote sensing, these studies may be helpful for decision making in the area of condition assessment of crops through satellite remote sensing, as the spectral bands of the radiometer used in this experiment are similar to those of IRS and Landsat satellites. Moreover, the growth profiles of brinjal and banana crops can be useful in the area of crop and vegetable discrimination.