Spectral signature measurements during the whole life cycle of annual crops and sustainable irrigation management over Cyprus using remote sensing and spectro-radiometric data: the cases of spring potatoes and peas

Abstract

This research paper focus on how spectral signatures and evapotranspiration (ET) vary during the whole life cycle of specific annual crops cultivated in the area located in Mandria village, in Paphos District area in Cyprus. The spectral signatures of these crops are collected for the whole life cycle in order to examine how ET changes due to morphological changes of the crops. The GER 1500 spectro-radiometer has been used to collect the spectral signatures of the crops for the whole crop season. The spectral signatures of two main crops -potatoes and peas- have been acquired in-situ, from the beginning of March to the end of April 2009. The purpose of this paper is to enlighten irrigation managers how ET fluctuates during the crop season and how irrigation scheduling is related to spectral signature of the crops. The data extracted from this paper will also assist the decision makers on irrigation level to have a general idea how crops need to be irrigated during their whole life cycle. This project has been funded by the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation and the Regional Development Fund of European Union