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Realization of agricultural crop condition through field survey is quite expensive, time consuming and sometimes not practical for remote locations. Optical remote sensing techniques can provide information on real condition of the crops by observing spectral reflectance at different crop growth phases and is less expensive and less time consuming. Hyperspectral remote sensing provides a unique opportunity for non-destructive, timely and accurate estimation of crop biophysical and biochemical properties. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to identify the water and nitrogen stress indicative spectral bands using ground-based hyperspectral data and to assess the predictive capability of selective bands on yield of maize under water and nitrogen stress environment. The experiment comprised of three irrigation scheduling treatments based on IW/CPE ration of 0.6, 0.8 and 1.2 and three nitrogen level treatments, i.e., 100, 200 and 300 kg of N ha−1, respectively, with three replications in a split plot design. The spectral reflectance was measured before irrigation at tasseling and dough stage of the maize crop using portable field spectroradiometer. The results of stepwise multiple linear regression indicated the highest predicting capability of spectral bands 540 nm, 780 nm and 860 nm for leaf nitrogen and 700 nm, 740 nm and 860 nm for leaf water content. The derived biophysical parameters based on spectral reflectance viz. relative leaf water content (%), leaf area index and leaf nitrogen contentment (%) at tasseling stage of maize crop accounted for 80%, 61% and 66% variation in grain yield, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to compare two different rice simulation models-standalone (Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer [DSSAT]) and web based (SImulation Model for RIce-Weather relations [SIMRIW])-with agrometeorological data and agronomic parameters for estimation of rice crop production in southern semi-arid tropics of India. Studies were carried out on the BPT5204 rice variety to evaluate two crop simulation models. Long-term experiments were conducted in a research farm of Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Hyderabad, India. Initially, the results were obtained using 4 years (1994-1997) of data with weather parameters from a local weather station to evaluate DSSAT simulated results with observed values. Linear regression models used for the purpose showed a close relationship between DSSAT and observed yield. Subsequently, yield comparisons were also carried out with SIMRIW and DSSAT, and validated with actual observed values. Realizing the correlation coefficient values of SIMRIW simulation values in acceptable limits, further rice experiments in monsoon (Kharif) and post-monsoon (Rabi) agricultural seasons (2009, 2010 and 2011) were carried out with a location-specific distributed sensor network system. These proximal systems help to simulate dry weight, leaf area index and potential yield by the Java based SIMRIW on a daily/weekly/monthly/seasonal basis. These dynamic parameters are useful to the farming community for necessary decision making in a ubiquitous manner. However, SIMRIW requires fine tuning for better results/decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an attempt has been made to assess, prognosis and observe dynamism of soil erosion by universal soil loss equation (USLE) method at Penang Island, Malaysia. Multi-source (map-, space- and ground-based) datasets were used to obtain both static and dynamic factors of USLE, and an integrated analysis was carried out in raster format of GIS. A landslide location map was generated on the basis of image elements interpretation from aerial photos, satellite data and field observations and was used to validate soil erosion intensity in the study area. Further, a statistical-based frequency ratio analysis was carried out in the study area for correlation purposes. The results of the statistical correlation showed a satisfactory agreement between the prepared USLE-based soil erosion map and landslide events/locations, and are directly proportional to each other. Prognosis analysis on soil erosion helps the user agencies/decision makers to design proper conservation planning program to reduce soil erosion. Temporal statistics on soil erosion in these dynamic and rapid developments in Penang Island indicate the co-existence and balance of ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]