Assessment of NDVI Dynamics of Maize (Zea mays L.) and Its Relation to Grain Yield in a Polyfactorial Experiment Based on Remote Sensing

Remote sensing is an efficient tool to detect vegetation heterogeneity and dynamics of crop development in real-time. In this study, the performance three maize hybrids (Fornad FAO-420, Merida FAO-380, Corasano FAO-490-510) was monitored as a function nitrogen dose (0, 80 160 kg N ha−1), soil tillage technologies (winter ploughing, strip-tillage, ripping), irrigation (rainfed 3 × 25 mm) warm temperature dry region East-Central Europe. Dynamics Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were followed period 2021, year drought, by using sensors mounted on unmanned aerial vehicle. N-fertilization resulted significantly higher NDVI throughout entire (p < 0.001) each experimental combination. A significant positive effect observed during drought (77–141 days after sowing). For both hybrids, found be different between treatments, but showing dynamics. Grain yield strong correlation with late vegetative early generative stages (r = 0.80–0.84). The findings suggest that adequate indicator for evaluating impact treatments plant prediction.