Complementarity of middle-infrared with visible and near-infrared reflectance for monitoring wheat canopies

Information given by middle-infrared (1.3-2.5 m) spectral bands, in addition to visible (0.4-0.7 m) and nearinfrared (0.7-1.3 m) channels, was evaluated for monitoring wheat canopies. Three middle-infrared bands. TM5 (1.56-1.68 m), TM7 (2.03-2.35 m), and a narrower band (1.66-1.70 m) were tested. TM5 appeared to be the best band, giving the maximum information with regard to visible and near-infrared. Results showed that the middle-infrared provides valuable complementary information on the geometrical structure of the canopy and on the optical properties of the underlying soil.