Vegetation indices (VI) based on remote sensing images are effective algorithms for quantitative and qualitative assessments of plant cover, vigor and growth dynamics. Their appropriate interpretation allows for the detection of areas with reduced plant conditions that require precise agro technical measures to restore their full visual and functional values.
Additionally, taking into account the possibility of periodic monitoring based on the values of vegetation indices, it is possible to identify areas susceptible to environmental stress. These types of areas, related to, among others, the existence of pathogens, soil substructure or hydro logical situation lead to the successive occurrence of plant stress factors. Precise identification of these areas allows for the intensification of planned agro technical works or the need to undertake specialized work related to changing the soil subsoil and expanding the irrigation or drainage system.
Moreover, vegetation indices allow the identification of a decline in plant vigor in the initial stages of diseases before these effects are visible to the human eye.
Both photos show areas with heavily degraded grass (visible gaps in the ground), indicating the destruction of the turf and the need tore build it. The photo taken during the fall shows early-stage threat development. Failure to take corrective actions results in an increased danger area, thus a ‘hot spot’.
The photos illustrate the benefits of historical image analysis. It is visible that despite the improvement in the quality of the turf in spring, disease factors located in the soil cause the successive appearance of disease spots in the same locations during fall. This means that the agro technical measures taken have not eliminated the cause of the problem and an effective fight against the cause of the disease requires more decisive actions, e.g. precise spraying with fungicides.
