Characterisation of two vineyards in Mexico based on Sentinel-2 and meteorological data

Abstract

In Mexico, viticulture represents the second source of employment in the agricultural area after the fruit and vegetable sector. In developed countries, remote sensing is widely used for vineyard monitoring; however, this tool is barely used in the developing countries of Iberoamerica. In this research, our overall objective is to characterise two vineyards in the state of Queretaro (Mexico) using Sentinel-2 and meteorological data, specifically spectral and thermal indices. Results show that spectral indices obtained from Sentinel-2 bands have adequately characterised the phenological dynamics of the different varieties of the vineyards. The Modified Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (MSAVI) was adequately used to discriminate between the first stages of vineyards, while the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was useful for monitoring vineyards during the rest stages of vineyards. Thermal indices have shown that the best grape varieties are those that can adapt to both cooler and warmer temperatures, have a reasonable ripening period, and can produce wines with balanced acidity and flavours. In conclusion, the combination of meteorological (including thermal indices) and remote sensing data (NDVI and MSAVI) provide information for choosing a suitable grape variety for this region.