The objective of this study was to adjust parameters related to the interception of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) by reproductive structures of spring canola, with different nitrogen levels and hybrids. Two field experiments were conducted, being one with different sowing dates and hybrids (Hyola 61 and Hyola 432) and another with doses of 10, 20, 40, 80, 160kg ha -1 of N, applied in top dressing. They were conducted in Passo Fundo and Coxilha, RS, Brazil, in 2011 and 2014, respectively

A major challenge for grain yield modeling in the context of estimates made operationally for large areas is related to the identification of periods in which annual crops show greater susceptibility to environmental stress. For soybean grown in the spring-summer period in southern Brazil, the main risk factor is the occurrence of water stress during flowering and grain filling. These subperiods occur at different times across the production region due to differences in management practices of each farmer. This study aimed to relate the soybean crop calendar to the temporal profiles of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI/MODIS), in order to present/validate a low cost technology with adequate accuracy for crop monitoring and harvest prediction. Thus, we analyzed data from soybean crop calendar (subperiods of flowering, grain filling and maturation) from EMATER (RS) regions and NDVI MODIS images. The NDVI temporal profiles allow monitoring the development of the soybean crop biomass and determining the occurrence of subperiods. Differences in NDVI values between harvests, regions and subperiods demonstrate the sensitivity of this index in detecting the responses of soybean plants to environmental conditions. Because NDVI data are generated from MODIS images, it is possible to create maps with information about the subperiods for all harvests and throughout the State, which enables greater temporal and spatial details compared to data currently available.

This study aimed to propose methods to identify croplands cultivated with winter cereals in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Thus, temporal profiles of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from MODIS sensor, from April to December of the 2000 to 2008, were analyzed. Firstly, crop masks were elaborated by subtracting the minimum NDVI image (April to May) from the maximum NDVI image (June to October). Then, an unsupervised classification of NDVI images was carried out (Isodata), considering the crop mask areas. According to the results, crop masks allowed the identification of pixels with greatest green biomass variation. This variation might be associated or not with winter cereals areas established to grain production. The unsupervised classification generated classes in which NDVI temporal profiles were associated with water bodies, pastures, winter cereals for grain production and for soil cover. Temporal NDVI profiles of the class winter cereals for grain production were in agree with crop patterns in the region (developmental stage, management standard and sowing dates). Therefore, unsupervised classification based on crop masks allows distinguishing and monitoring winter cereal crops, which were similar in terms of morphology and phenology.

-The objective of this work was to identify the spectral bands, vegetation indices, and periods of the canola crop season in which the correlation between spectral data and biophysical indicators (total shoot dry matter and grain yield) is most significant. The experiment was carried out during the 2013 and 2014 crop seasons at Embrapa Trigo, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A randomized complete block design was used, with four replicates, and the treatments consisted of five doses of nitrogen topdressing. Plant dry matter, grain yield, and phenology were measured. The canola spectral response was evaluated by measuring the canola canopy reflectance using a spectroradiometer, and, with this data, the SR, NDVI, EVI, SAVI, and GNDVI vegetation indices were determined. Pearson's correlations between the spectral and biophysical variables of canola showed that the red (620 to 670 nm) and near-infrared (841 to 876 nm) bands were the best to estimate the dry matter. The vegetative period is the most indicated to obtain the most significant correlations for canola. All the used vegetation indices are adequate for estimating the dry matter and grain yield of canola.Index terms: Brassica napus, EVI, GNDVI, NDVI, SAVI, spectroradiometry. Correlações entre dados espectrais e biofísicos em dossel de canola cultivada na região subtropical do BrasilResumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi a identificação das bandas espectrais, dos índices de vegetação e dos períodos do ciclo da canola em que a correlação entre os dados espectrais e os indicadores biofísicos (matéria seca total da parte aérea e rendimento de grãos) é mais significativa. Os experimentos foram conduzidos nas safras de 2013 e 2014, na Embrapa Trigo, no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, e os tratamentos foram cinco doses de nitrogênio em cobertura. Foram determinados a matéria seca das plantas, o rendimento de grãos e a fenologia. A resposta espectral da canola foi avaliada por medições de reflectância do dossel, com espectrorradiômetro, e, a partir desses dados, foram calculados os índices de vegetação SR, NDVI, EVI, SAVI e GNDVI. As correlações de Pearson entre as variáveis espectrais e biofísicas da canola mostraram que as melhores bandas para estimativa da matéria seca são as do vermelho (620 a 670 nm) e do infravermelho próximo (841 a 876 nm). O período vegetativo é o mais indicado para obtenção de correlações mais significativas para a canola. Todos os índices de vegetação utilizados são adequados para estimativas da matéria seca e do rendimento de grãos da canola.Termos para indexação: Brassica napus, EVI, GNDVI, NDVI, SAVI, espectrorradiometria.

The objective of this study was to characterize the variability of spectral reflectance and temporal profiles of vegetation indices associated with nitrogen fertilization, crop cycle periods, and weather conditions of the growing season in canola canopies in southern Brazil. An experiment was carried out during the 2013 and 2014 canola growing seasons at EMBRAPA Trigo, Passo Fundo, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four replications. Five doses of nitrogen top dressing were used as treatments: 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160kg ha-1. Measurements were obtained with the spectroradiometer positioned above the canopy, to construct spectral reflectance curves for canola and establish temporal profiles for several vegetation indices (SR, NDVI, EVI, SAVI, and GNDVI). In addition, data on shoot dry matter were obtained and phenological stages were determined. The spectral reflectance curves of canola were reported to change with canopy growth and development. Temporal profiles of vegetation indices showed two maximum peaks, one before flowering and other after flowering. The indices SR, NDVI, EVI, SAVI, and GNDVI were able to characterize changes in the canola canopy over time, as a function of phenological phases, weather conditions, and nitrogen fertilization, throughout the development cycle. Plant growth and development, variations in crop management, and environmental conditions affect the spectral response of canola.