Accurate monitoring of crop growth and estimations of yield are essential for optimizing agricultural practices and ensuring food security. Traditional approaches to monitor crop and map yield in vegetable crops often rely on ground-based observations, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Remote sensing techniques offer a promising alternative by providing frequent and spatially extensive information on crop health and vigor. In this study, we aimed to assess the feasibility of using high-resolution satellite imagery to monitor crop growth and predict yield in Japanese squash (Cucurbita maxima) and onion varieties (Allium cepa) in Hollister, California, over the growing seasons of 2022 and 2023. Daily imagery from PlanetScope with a resolution of 3 m and on-demand 0.5 m imagery from Planet SkySat were utilized. Vegetation indices including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) were calculated at various times during the growing season. Statistical analyses were performed to explore the correlations between these indices and crop yield. The results indicate significant correlations between vegetation indices such as NDVI and SAVI and crop yield in Japanese squash and onion varieties. Higher vegetation index values were associated with increased crop yield, suggesting that these indices can serve as reliable indicators of crop health and vigor. The use of high-resolution satellite imagery allowed for timely and accurate monitoring of crop growth dynamics, facilitating informed decision-making for growers. This study describes the potential of high-resolution satellite imagery and vegetation indices for monitoring crop growth and predicting yield in Japanese squash and onion varieties. The importance of integrating remote sensing techniques into agricultural practices to improve crop management strategies and enhance productivity will be discussed in the presentation.
