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

The results of a correlation study between high spatial resolution (1 m) Mu lti-Spectral Scanner (MSS) data and reference data with particular emphasis to soil-plant water parameters are presented. Digital images of the Manage ment Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) research site in south central Ohio wer e 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 correlatio n between MSS data and soil water was changed by the presence of crop resid ue versus bare soil. The combined water estimates From the soil and plant e nhanced the correlation structure between MSS parameters and soil-plant wat er variables. It was also shown that when using soil water content data bel ow the 0.5-2.0 cm soil depth, the correlation with MSS parameters decreased .