A study on spatio-temporal trend of rubber leaf fall phenomenon using planetscope multi-index vegetation imagery in relations to climatological conditions

Sopian, Nadya Ata Meiviana
Supriatna
Manessa, Masita Dwi Mandini
Shidiq, Iqbal Putut Ash
Nagasawa, Ryota
Haidar, Muhammad

Environmental and Materials
Vol. 2 No. 1: (June) 2024

Background: Rubber plants are one of the most important plantation commodities in Indonesia. However, rubber production has declined due to leaf fall disease caused by the pathogen Pestalotiopsis sp. This study aims to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of rubber plant leaf fall disease using multi-vegetation indices from PlanetScope imagery, as well as to analyze the influence of climatological conditions on the disease. Methods: The research was conducted at the Sembawa Rubber Research Center Garden, South Sumatra, using PlanetScope imagery data and climatological data in 2017 (before leaf fall) and 2023 (after leaf fall). Finding: Spatially, the 2023 leaf fall occurred in almost the entire garden area with poor to moderate levels. Blocks 2013D, 2012F, and 2009F experienced the most severe levels, with a total defoliated area reaching 396.76 ha. Analysis of monthly variations in vegetation index values revealed a decrease in values during leaf fall due to Pestalotiopsis sp., specifically in February, May, and September 2023. Statistical test results showed significant differences in vegetation index values between 2017 and 2023. Furthermore, based on Spearman's correlation analysis, there was a positive correlation between vegetation index values and humidity, but no significant correlation with rainfall and temperature. Conclusion: This research provides insights into mapping and monitoring rubber leaf fall disease using remote sensing data and climatological factors, which can be used for more effective rubber plantation management. However, the study has some limitations: monthly Planet data for 2017 is not fully available, several Planet image scenes from 2017 still have more than 50% cloud cover, and there may be biases as plants falling into the low health class are included in the high range of vegetation index values. Novelty/Originality of this Study: By integrating spatial and temporal analyses with climatological data, the research provides a precise and comprehensive method for monitoring LFD and understanding its environmental determinants, thereby enhancing traditional rubber plantation management practices.