Revista de Engenharia Civil e Ambiental

Using AVHRR-Based Vegetation Health Indices For Estimation Of Potato Yield In Bangladesh

Abstract

Rahman A, Kaisar Khan, Krakauer NY , Roytman L and Kogan F

We developed a model correlating Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)-based Temperature Condition Index (TCI) and Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) with potato yield in Bangladesh. Weekly TCI and VCI Indices for 1993–2005 along with official potato yield statistics were used for model development. We found a strong correlation between inter annual variation in potato yield and TCI and VCI during the critical period of potato growth (vegetative phase and tuber initiation), mid-December to mid-January. Principal component regression (PCR) was used to construct a model to predict potato yield as function of TCI and VCI. The model explained about 75% of yearto- year variation in potato yield. Remote sensing offers valuable and readily obtainable information on potato yield well in advance of harvest.