Novel Curve Fitting Analysis of NDVI Data to Describe Turf Fertilizer Response

Evaluating the effectiveness of fertilizers on crops without traditional yield is difficult, as clipping collection time-consuming and not indicative desired response to fertilizer. Remote sensing techniques, like normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), have emerged an effective tool combat these issues. Canopy reflectance, measured by NDVI, commonly used differentiate turfgrass nitrogen (N) fertilization treatments; however, advancements in data processing are needed for greater differentiation between treatments better testing effects fertilizer responses. Presented here advancement NDVI applying a compound exponential (pulse peak) function changes over time, relative control. This method’s differentiating was evaluated polymer-coated urea (PCU), enhanced efficiency (EEF), show usefulness novel curve fitting highlighting differences response. The field study carried out established Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) blend sandy loam soil rootzone maintained with typical home lawn maintenance regime. Ratios PCU ranging from 100% increments 20% were observe continuum two types. N rate all blends 73 kg ha−1, unfertilized plots control set baseline measurements fitting. Turfgrass assessed through visual quality ratings, dry matter yield, canopy where higher content resulted shortest time maximum ∆NDVI (24 days), while EEF reached at 56 days. analysis allowed treatments, provided measure effects, differentiated fertilizers.