Whitfield et al. (2026) Satellite-based estimates of evapotranspiration in major irrigated tree and vine crops grown in Australia

Identification

• Journal: Agricultural Water Management
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-06-29
• Authors: DM Whitfield, A. McAllister, Mohammad Abuzar, Mark Glenn O’Connell, Kathryn Sheffield
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110562

Research Groups

Agriculture Victoria Research, Ferguson Rd., Tatura, VIC 3616, Australia Agriculture Victoria Research, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia

Short Summary

This study used satellite-based estimates of evapotranspiration (ET) to investigate the relationships between ET and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in major irrigated tree and vine crops grown in SE Australia. The results showed that the ETrF-NDVI reference triangle was a useful framework for evaluating ET-NDVI relationships in these crops.

Objective

• Investigate the relationships between evapotranspiration (ET) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in major irrigated tree and vine crops grown in SE Australia.
• Evaluate the applicability of the ETrF-NDVI reference triangle as a framework for evaluating ET-NDVI relationships in these crops.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Field-scale estimates of ET were computed for all major tree and vine crops grown in each district (Riverland, Sunraysia/Mallee, Goulburn-Murray).
• Temporal Scale: The study was conducted over a period of 2 years (2008-2010) during peak-season irrigation periods.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: METRIC algorithm for estimating ET from Landsat images.
• Data sources: Landsat 5 imagery, district-specific meteorological data recorded by the national network of automatic weather stations operated by the Bureau of Meteorology, Australia.

Main Results

• The ETrF-NDVI distributions of Australian tree and vine crops overwhelmingly complied with the bivariate limits of the reference triangle (mean, 89% compliance).
• The results showed that the ETrF-NDVI relationships were strongly positive in all cases, indicating a strong relationship between ET and NDVI.
• The study found that the ETrF-NDVI reference triangle was a useful framework for evaluating ET-NDVI relationships in these crops.

Contributions

• This study provides new insights into the relationships between ET and NDVI in major irrigated tree and vine crops grown in SE Australia.
• The results of this study can be used to improve irrigation management practices in these crops, leading to more efficient water use and reduced environmental impacts.

Funding

• This research was funded by the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.

Citation

@article{Whitfield2026Satellitebased,
  author = {Whitfield, DM and McAllister, A. and Abuzar, Mohammad and O’Connell, Mark Glenn and Sheffield, Kathryn},
  title = {Satellite-based estimates of evapotranspiration in major irrigated tree and vine crops grown in Australia},
  journal = {Agricultural Water Management},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110562},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110562}
}