Legume Research
Web of Science
  • Year: 2025
  • Volume: 48
  • Issue: 1

Revealing the Feedback Loop: Comparing Satellite and Sensor-derived Meteorological Parameters in Groundnut Cultivation

  • Author:
  • P. Gunavathi1,**, D. Muthumanickam2,*, R. Kumaraperumal2, S. Pazhanivelan3, P.C. Prabu3, K.P. Ragunath3
  • Total Page Count: 8
  • Page Number: 102 to 109

1Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India

2Department of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India

3Centre for Water and Geospatial Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India

*Corresponding Author: D. Muthumanickam, Department of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India, Email: muthutnausac@gmail.com, ORCIDs: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9852-1095

**Corresponding Author: P. Gunavathi, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India, Email: gunavathiponnukutty@outlook.com, ORCIDs: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0624-6090

Online Published on 08 July, 2025.

Abstract

Studying soil moisture’s impact on groundnut, particularly under rainfed conditions, is crucial for improving quality and yield. This research explores soil moisture dynamics using satellite and in-situ sensor data to enhance water management and crop predictions, focusing on the feedback mechanisms between soil moisture and weather variables.

The study was conducted at the Oil Seed Research Station (TNAU) in Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu, using the groundnut variety TMV 14. Soil moisture and weather parameters were monitored at critical crop growth stages, using an in-situ soil moisture sensor (Cr 300) and compared with satellite data from SMAP, ERA5 and Sentinel 1A with environmental factors. Statistical analysis was carried out using SAS JMP Pro and network analysis via Cytoscape 3.8.2 software.

Pre-monsoon soil moisture SMAP, SMAP-RZSM and sensor (VWC at 10cm) were found to increase in post-monsoon. Strong positive correlations were attained between SMAP-SM and SMAP-RZSM (r=0.94), indicating a reinforcing loop. Whereas, the negative feedback was observed between SMAP-SM and deeper soil temperatures (-0.91). It underscores the dynamic interplay between soil moisture and atmospheric conditions, essential for developing efficient water management strategies and enhancing crop resilience to climate variability.

Keywords

Feedback, Groundnut, Satellite, Sensor, Soil moisture