Guide • Remote sensing
Interpreting NDVI for Vineyards
A short field guide to reading NDVI in vineyards without mistaking vigor patterns for diagnosis.
NDVI is useful for spotting where canopy vigor differs. It is not a diagnosis by itself.
A higher NDVI zone usually means denser and more photosynthetically active canopy. A lower zone can mean weaker vigor, but the cause still needs field confirmation.
What NDVI is good for
- Ranking which blocks or rows deserve a closer look first.
- Comparing relative vigor patterns inside the same operation.
- Creating a first-pass scouting route before crews enter the field.
What NDVI is not good for
- Proving a disease is present.
- Distinguishing irrigation issues from nutrient stress by itself.
- Replacing grower or scout confirmation.
Rule: Use NDVI to prioritize the walk, not to skip the walk.
Practical reading order
- Look for zones that break the expected block pattern.
- Compare them against recent weather, irrigation, and known history.
- Send the crew to the strongest anomaly first.
- Confirm the cause on the ground before you act.