Satellite-Based Monitoring of Vegetation and Soil Moisture Indices for Stress Detection and Irrigation Planning in a Semi-Arid Apple Orchard

Authors : Alperay Altıkat

Pages : 139-161

View : 60 | Download : 55

Publication Date : 2025-08-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Sustainable irrigation management is crucial for fruit production in semi-arid regions. This study utilized satellite data collected between 2020 and 2025 to evaluate plant growth and changes in soil moisture in a 15.59-acre, drip-irrigated apple orchard located in eastern Türkiye. Spectral indices, such as NDVI, SAVI, and NDRE, along with radar-based indices like RVI and RSM, were combined to analyze the temporal and spatial patterns of plant stress. The results revealed significant stress conditions in 2020, 2021, and 2023. In contrast, 2024 saw 44% of the orchard reach the medium-high vegetation cover class. High correlations (r ≈ 0.99) were found between RSM, NDVI, and RVI indices, indicating that plant health is directly related to soil moisture. The SAVI and NDRE indices, on the other hand, enabled the sensitive monitoring of both early- and late-stage stress. These data defined area-based productivity maps and stress zones, and a field-level decision support framework was established to support irrigation decisions. The study proposes a repeatable method for precision agriculture applications, contributing to the mitigation of the effects of climate variability on yield.
Keywords : Uzaktan algılama indeksleri, Toprak nemi etkileşimi, Fenolojik stres tespiti

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