Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms and Statistical Techniques for Data Analysis in Crop Growth Monitoring with NDVI

We assessed the potential of Machine Learning (ML) for mapping crop growth in three flood irrigated fields. Results generated from ML algorithms were compared to the output generated by the ISODATA algorithm. Affinity Propagation (AP) identifies the number of clusters by considering all data points...

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Main Authors: M. Arunachalam, S. Sekar, A. M. Erdmann, V. V. Sajith Variyar, R. Sivanpillai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2025-03-01
Series:The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Online Access:https://isprs-archives.copernicus.org/articles/XLVIII-M-5-2024/15/2025/isprs-archives-XLVIII-M-5-2024-15-2025.pdf
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author M. Arunachalam
S. Sekar
A. M. Erdmann
V. V. Sajith Variyar
R. Sivanpillai
author_facet M. Arunachalam
S. Sekar
A. M. Erdmann
V. V. Sajith Variyar
R. Sivanpillai
author_sort M. Arunachalam
collection DOAJ
description We assessed the potential of Machine Learning (ML) for mapping crop growth in three flood irrigated fields. Results generated from ML algorithms were compared to the output generated by the ISODATA algorithm. Affinity Propagation (AP) identifies the number of clusters by considering all data points as potential exemplars and iteratively refine the set, while Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) algorithm treats the data as a mixture of several Gaussian distributions, allowing for flexible cluster shapes. In contrast, ISODATA, a statistical clustering method, requires an analyst to specify the number of output clusters followed by iterative splitting and merging of clusters based on variance and distance criteria. We acquired Landsat derived NDVI images for three flood-irrigated fields over a span of four years. These images were collected at the start of the growing season to ensure consistency. Initially we clustered the pixels in these images for each field using AP and determine the number of clusters. Next, we applied GMM to identify and define the clusters. Finally, we plotted the mean value of all the pixels in each cluster for every year and assigned the clusters into six thematic classes: the first three classes for consistent growth (good, average, or poor) across all four years, and the other three for mixed growth patterns (e.g., good in three years and average in one). Output maps generated from these methods were compared using IoU scores. ML methods had greater efficiency in terms of replicating the steps for other fields, whereas ISODATA requires analyst intervention and interpretation.
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spelling doaj-art-e6bbcccadc104ed9b60eb6cd7ee551682025-08-20T02:47:52ZengCopernicus PublicationsThe International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences1682-17502194-90342025-03-01XLVIII-M-5-2024152010.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-M-5-2024-15-2025Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms and Statistical Techniques for Data Analysis in Crop Growth Monitoring with NDVIM. Arunachalam0S. Sekar1A. M. Erdmann2V. V. Sajith Variyar3R. Sivanpillai4Department of Artificial Intelligence, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, IndiaDepartment of Artificial Intelligence, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, IndiaHaub School of Environment & Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USAAmrita Center for Computational Engineering and Networking (CEN), Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, IndiaSchool of Computing WyGISC, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USAWe assessed the potential of Machine Learning (ML) for mapping crop growth in three flood irrigated fields. Results generated from ML algorithms were compared to the output generated by the ISODATA algorithm. Affinity Propagation (AP) identifies the number of clusters by considering all data points as potential exemplars and iteratively refine the set, while Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) algorithm treats the data as a mixture of several Gaussian distributions, allowing for flexible cluster shapes. In contrast, ISODATA, a statistical clustering method, requires an analyst to specify the number of output clusters followed by iterative splitting and merging of clusters based on variance and distance criteria. We acquired Landsat derived NDVI images for three flood-irrigated fields over a span of four years. These images were collected at the start of the growing season to ensure consistency. Initially we clustered the pixels in these images for each field using AP and determine the number of clusters. Next, we applied GMM to identify and define the clusters. Finally, we plotted the mean value of all the pixels in each cluster for every year and assigned the clusters into six thematic classes: the first three classes for consistent growth (good, average, or poor) across all four years, and the other three for mixed growth patterns (e.g., good in three years and average in one). Output maps generated from these methods were compared using IoU scores. ML methods had greater efficiency in terms of replicating the steps for other fields, whereas ISODATA requires analyst intervention and interpretation.https://isprs-archives.copernicus.org/articles/XLVIII-M-5-2024/15/2025/isprs-archives-XLVIII-M-5-2024-15-2025.pdf
spellingShingle M. Arunachalam
S. Sekar
A. M. Erdmann
V. V. Sajith Variyar
R. Sivanpillai
Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms and Statistical Techniques for Data Analysis in Crop Growth Monitoring with NDVI
The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
title Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms and Statistical Techniques for Data Analysis in Crop Growth Monitoring with NDVI
title_full Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms and Statistical Techniques for Data Analysis in Crop Growth Monitoring with NDVI
title_fullStr Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms and Statistical Techniques for Data Analysis in Crop Growth Monitoring with NDVI
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms and Statistical Techniques for Data Analysis in Crop Growth Monitoring with NDVI
title_short Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms and Statistical Techniques for Data Analysis in Crop Growth Monitoring with NDVI
title_sort comparative analysis of machine learning algorithms and statistical techniques for data analysis in crop growth monitoring with ndvi
url https://isprs-archives.copernicus.org/articles/XLVIII-M-5-2024/15/2025/isprs-archives-XLVIII-M-5-2024-15-2025.pdf
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AT amerdmann comparativeanalysisofmachinelearningalgorithmsandstatisticaltechniquesfordataanalysisincropgrowthmonitoringwithndvi
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