3.2. Classification of cropping systems and other land-use categories
The spectral signature of land use/land cover is mainly
dependent upon the vegetation type and its growing condition
when the image was acquired. Generally, four growing stages of
the double-cropping system can be identified in our study area.
The first period from late October to next late June is the time when
the winter wheat is growing. After winter wheat is harvested, the
land is left fallow from late June into early July. The summer corn
starts growing from early July and would be ready for harvest by
late October. Another short fallow period stretches from late