摘要：Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important crop in many parts of the world including South Africa, where it isthe second largest component of the staple diet after maize. 1,2 Consequently, it is crucial to predict wheat yields asglobal wheat production is expected to decrease under conventional management as a result of climate variability. 3,4Additionally, a challenge exists to feed a growing human population while avoiding environmental problems suchas deforestation and land degradation. 5 The central Free State Province of South Africa is a land-locked, drylandwheat production region, which exhibits variable agricultural production as a consequence of droughts and areduced capacity to operate in world markets owing to high transport costs and foreign exchange constraints. 6,7In order to ensure food security, there is a need for generating timely and accurate information on crop yields. 8We report here on the development of a reliable estimate of wheat yields using the Moderate Resolution ImagingSpectroradiometer – Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (MODIS-NDVI). Accurate forecasting of the yieldpotential of dryland wheat in the Central Free State region will aid agricultural decision-makers in balancing thetrade of agricultural commodities and reducing short-term price instabilities. .
