Monitoring the Onset of Phenological Phases “Stem Elongation” and “Heading” of Winter Wheat in the Republic of Armenia Using Remote Sensing Methods

Abstract

Winter wheat constitutes a significant share of Armenia’s grain production, but can be severely affected by the spread of fungal diseases. According to recent scientific studies, methods based on the dynamics of spectral signatures of crops allow for the timely detection of early signs of crop diseases, prevention of epidemiological threats, and minimization of economic losses. The paper addresses the problem of determining optimal monitoring periods for phytopathogens across the republic of Armenia using these methods. The study covers various regions of Armenia, taking into account their climatic and agronomic characteristics, as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), weather conditions and digital elevation model. The data show potential for determining the timing of key phenological stages in winter wheat development, which is essential for this type of monitoring. Cartographic materials have been created to indicate recommended start dates for monitoring, based on average data from 2018-2024. The paper also outlines necessary steps to improve the outcomes of the proposed methodology, as well as key actions for implementing this approach in practice.