Mapping of wheat lodging susceptibility with synthetic aperture radar data

Crop lodging reduces yield quantity and grain quality of cereal crops. Understanding seasonal variation in crop susceptibility enables risk assessments predictions associated losses. We demonstrate a novel remote sensing-based approach, using sparse field observations widely available synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery, to map safety factor against root (SFA) wheat. SFA quantifies the ability rooting system support self-weight moment whole plant can be used as an indicator in-season susceptibility. SAR images, from Sentinel-1 RADARSAT-2, were acquired synchronously with measurements Jolanda di Savoia, Ferrara, Italy during 2018 winter wheat growing season. The data included non-lodged (healthy) such height, height at centre gravity, plant, soil anchorage strength, those lodged angle inclination, area point failure (stem or root). Field confirmed that decreased progressively through season was consistent observed lodging. Strong significant correlations between image metrics. validated regression models showed strong relationship field-measured metrics RADARSAT-2 (R2CV = 0.84, RMSECV 0.54) 0.73, 0.59). However, it is possible parameters confounded by variations biomass, which highly correlated (r ?0.71, p < 0.0001). Our study, for first time, demonstrates use sensing assessment. Current planned platforms have potential large scale, operational assessment