Potential possibilities of using MODIS NDVI time series for operative monitoring of apricot orchard

When cultivating perennial fruit plantations, it is important to monitor their condition promptly, on the basis of which it is possible to make management decisions on the timely correction of agricultural technology, as well as forecasting and planning of fruit production. In the article the possibilities of using the weekly MODIS NDVI composites along with meteorological data for the operative monitoring of apricot gardens are discussed. As the main source of information, the data of the Internet service “VEGA”, as well as field survey data at three test sites in the Krasnodar Region for the period 2001−2016 were used. The conducted researches showed that the MODIS NDVI data can be used for recognition and operative monitoring of the state of the apricot orchards. Spring frosts, as one of the main factors of apricot productivity in the Krasnodar Region, do not directly affect NDVI, but damage to flower buds, flowers or petals leads to the fact that NDVI mid-season vegetation in the presence of spring frosts is lower than in seasons without frosts. Decrease in NDVI values in the middle of the growing season correlates with the losses of apricot productivity caused by spring frosts. When analyzing the long-term dynamics of the NDVI apricot garden, it is necessary to take into account the age of the trees. The availability of weekly NDVI composites in VEGA service as well as meteorological data is a good basis for the operative monitoring of apricot orchards in the territory of the Krasnodar Region. © 2018 Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.