Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) Variation Among Cultivars and Environments

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), a canopy reflectance based value, is easily measured and commonly used in precision agriculture, including defining variable rate application management zones. As more use is made of the index, it is important that we understand what factors impact it and how it varies. The objective of this report is to demonstrate how NDVI varies among cultivars and environments. In 2014, observations were made in four Official Variety Test sites at the University of Missouri Fisher Delta Research Center in Portageville. These sites included sandy, clay, and silt loam soils and the silt loam site included both irrigated and rainfed studies. The findings will help improve understanding of the uses and limitations of NDVI data.