Estimation of rice yield using multi-source remote sensing data combined with crop growth model and deep learning algorithm

Abstract

Accurate rice yield estimation is vital for agricultural planning and food security, especially in Northeast China, a key rice-producing region. This study presents an integrated framework combining multi-source remote sensing data, crop growth modeling, and deep learning techniques to enhance rice yield prediction accuracy. We utilized Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Sentinel-2 satellite data to capture both temporal and spatial crop dynamics. High-resolution Leaf Area Index (LAI) data from Sentinel-2 were assimilated into the World Food Studies (WOFOST) crop growth model using the Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF), improving the model’s simulation precision. To further refine yield estimates, we developed the Bayesian-optimized Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory with Attention (BCLA) model, which integrates Residual Convolutional Neural Networks (ResNet-CNN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, and Multi-Head Attention mechanisms, optimized through Bayesian optimization. The proposed hybrid framework was applied to rice growing seasons from 2019 to 2021, demonstrating significant improvements in prediction accuracy compared to traditional models such as Random Forest and XGBoost. The BCLA model achieved higher R² and lower Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values, indicating its superior ability to capture complex spatial and temporal patterns. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP)-based feature importance analysis identified key factors influencing yield predictions, including LAI, Net Photosynthesis (PsnNet), and Kernel Noramlized Difference Vegetation Index (kNDVI). Regional yield maps validated against statistical data showcased the model’s robustness, although some regional discrepancies highlighted areas for further refinement. This comprehensive approach offers a scalable and accurate solution for high-resolution rice yield estimation, supporting precision agriculture and sustainable food security initiatives.