Assessing Potato Crop Response to Current Climatic Conditions from Central Part of Transylvania Using Vegetation Indices

During 2023-2024 to the NIRDPSB Brasov were evaluated twelve Romanian potato varieties regarding the use of non-invasive measurements to follow crop grown and development. Two NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) readings were carried out on the middle leaves of three potato plants. For interpretation of chlorophyll results was used the formula of nitrogen index. The values recorded on 22.06.2023 were between 89.98 N index for the Castrum variety and 84.3 N index for the Cosiana and Sevastia varieties and on 18.07.2023 between 89.9 N index for the Castrum variety and 86,8 N index for the Foresta variety. Values ​​recorded on 18.06.2024 were between 91.81 for the Marvis variety and 88.56 N index for the Azaria variety, and on 8.07.2024 between 91.78 for the Castrum variety and 89.61 N index for the Sevastia variety. As the vegetation progresses, a decrease of the chlorophyll content value is observed, depending on the leaf mass of the variety and its exposure. Cosiana variety with later accumulation recorded an increase in chlorophyll values, compared to its more pronounced decrease in the Marvis, Asinaria, Darilena varieties. The NDVI index depends significantly on the climatic conditions and on the adaptability to drought and water stress of potato.