Behavior of NDVI obtained from an active optical sensor in cereals

The objective of this work was to evaluate the behavior of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), with an active optical sensor, in wheat, triticale, barley and corn crops. Experiments were conducted in Parana and Sao Paulo, comparing different soil classes, N rates and sources, and wheat varieties. The following variables were determined: NDVI, N foliar content, dry mass and crop yield. Regression analyses were performed between NDVI and applied N rates, N foliar content, dry mass and yield. Correlation analyses among the variables were performed. Wheat, triticale and barley crops showed response to increasing N rates by the increase in the NDVI readings, to N foliar content and to yield. Measured by the used active optical sensor the NDVI shows high potential for N management wheat, triticale and barley crops, and low potential for corn crops. There is interference of wheat varieties in the active optical sensor's readings.