Mapping Contrasting Tillage Practices in the Texas Panhandle with Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) Data

Tillage information is crucial in environmental modeling as it has a direct impact on soil erosion and water holding capacity of agricultural soils. A remote sensing approach is promising for the rapid collection of tillage information on individual fields over large areas. In this study, six Thematic Mapper (TM)-based logistic regression models proposed by van Deventer et al were used to distinguish conventional and conservation tillage practices in Ochiltree County located in the Texas panhandle. Accuracy assessments of tillage maps derived from Landsat 5 TM data were made using field data collected during the 2005 planting season. Logistic regression models were easy to use, cost and time effective, and produced reasonably accurate tillage maps. The "percent correct" and kappa (k) values varied from 61–83% and 0.02–0.73, respectively, with best values for logistic regression models that use TM bands 1, 3 and 5 images. This approach is promising for the rapid collection of tillage information on individual fields over large areas.