Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.18047/poljo.31.1.11

A Length-of-Season Analysis for Maize Cultivation from the Land- Surface Phenology Metrics Using the Sentinel-2 Images

Irena Rapčan ; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Dorijan Radočaj ; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia *
Mladen Jurišić ; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

This study analyzes the length of a growing season for maize cultivation in Osijek- Baranja County utilizing a land-surface phenology metrics derived from the Sentinel-2 imagery according to a normalized-difference vegetation index (NDVI). The three key phenological indicators were calculated, including the start of a season (SOS), end of a season (EOS), and the length of a season (LOS) for the years 2017 and 2022. The mean monthly air temperatures during the maize-growing season were significantly higher than the 30-year average, while a total precipitation was notably lower, particularly in August, suggesting a direct impact on maize phenology, with the LOS values exhibiting a non-normal distribution and differing variances between the years studied. This research contributed the insights for the improvement of yield forecasting and the adaptive management strategies in response to a climate variability, ultimately supporting food security and sustainable land management practices in the region. A future work should be expanded on these methodologies to enhance their applicability across the diverse agricultural contexts.

Keywords

land-surface phenology; Sentinel-2 imagery; normalized-difference vegetation index (NDVI); climate variability growing-season analysis

Hrčak ID:

333128

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/333128

Publication date:

23.6.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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