386
CROP GROWTH MODELLING IN MALI BASED ON ERS SCATTEROMETER
INFORMATION
Pierre C. Sibiry Traoré*, Mamadou D. Doumbia*, Salifou Sissoko*, Abderamane Yoroté*
Wolfgang Wagner**, Klaus Scipal**, Anne Gobin***, Paul Campling***, Erik Nobbe****, Rob
Beck****
*LaboSEP, 1ER, Mali
**IPRS, TUW, Austria
***ILWM, Belgium
****NEO, Netherlands
ISPRS Commission VI Working Group 3
Abstract
The C-band scatterometer flown on board the ERS satellites series constitutes a reliable tool for soil
moisture monitoring purposes. Algorithms accounting for the effects of viewing geometry,
vegetation and surface roughness on the received signal now allow for more accurate retrieval of
the sub-surface water content. Noise removal is performed using the instrument’s multiple viewing
aptitude. Temporal repetitively and inherent spatialization serve scatterometer data as an unmatched
source of information for operational generation of soil moisture maps.
Combined with crop specific information, these remotely sensed measurements are used as an
alternative to conventional rainfall - évapotranspiration driven models to predict crop performance,
with particular attention to such issues as planting dates, early season crop establishment, growing
season stress and yield reduction. A modeling approach for the propagation of humidity through the
soil profile provides a soil water index (SWI) representative of the available water content in the
rooting zone. The discrepancy between crop water requirements and the SWI eventually yields a
crop performance index (CPI).
Results obtained over the [1991-1998] period are discussed, with particular emphasis on validation
issues analyzed on the basis of field data gathered during the 1998 growing season.
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