Investigating crop DNA: Using free Sentinel 1 RADAR data to study crop growth

This feasibility project will consider the use of Sentinal 1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data to aid the arable food production system. The current use of crop biomass imagery from optical imagery (NDVI) is popular with farmers but is reliant upon clear, cloud-free skies. SAR will provide data in all conditions, day and night thus providing a detailed and reliable source of crop growth data for farmers. This project could present a huge breakthrough in non-space related satellite applications. Previous study suggests that SAR data is capable of pinpointing different growth stages which is critical in arable farming for delivering treatments and fertiliser at the right time. This study will use existing NDVI imagery along with detailed SAR data and field data to help model a new crop growth index. Not viable previously, due to the restrictively high cost, Sentinel SAR data is now freely available allowing the development of new applications that could make a real difference to farmers.