18/05/2026
Turning satellite data into smarter agricultural decisions
This visual highlights how the Normalized Difference Salinity Index (NDSI), derived from Landsat imagery, can be used to monitor soil salinity and its impact on crop health. By leveraging green and shortwave infrared (SWIR) bands, NDSI provides a simple yet powerful way to assess field conditions at scale.
Key takeaways:
โข NDSI values range from -1 to +1, helping classify soil from high salinity stress to optimal conditions
โข High values indicate low salinity and healthier soil, while lower values signal increasing salt stress
โข Time-series analysis supports tracking salinity changes across crop growth stages
โข Enables early detection of stress, improving irrigation, soil management, and yield outcomes
With free, high-resolution Landsat data available through USGS Earth Explorer, this approach makes precision agriculture more accessible and data-driven than ever.
From soil salinity mapping to sustainable land management, remote sensing continues to reshape how we understand and manage agricultural systems.