Abstract
The study introduces a prototype multispectral camera system for aerial estimation of above-ground biomass and nitrogen (N) content in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The system is fully programmable and designed as a lightweight payload for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). It is based on an industrial multi-sensor camera and a customizable image processing routine. The system was tested in a split fertilized N field trial at different growth stages in between the end of stem elongation and the end of anthesis. The acquired multispectral images were processed to normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and red-edge inflection point (REIP) orthoimages for an analysis with simple linear regression models. The best results for the estimation of above-ground biomass were achieved with the NDVI (R 2 = 0.72–0.85, RMSE = 12.3%–17.6%), whereas N content was estimated best with the REIP (R 2 = 0.58–0.89, RMSE = 7.6%–11.7%). Moreover, NDVI and REIP predicted grain yield at a high level of accuracy (R 2 = 0.89–0.94, RMSE = 9.0%–12.1%). Grain protein content could be predicted best with the REIP (R 2 = 0.76–0.86, RMSE = 3.6%–4.7%), with the limitation of prediction inaccuracies for N-deficient canopies.
Highlights
Extensive use of nitrogen (N) leads to negative environmental impacts, like eutrophication, acid rains, drinking water contamination and nitrous oxide emissions [1,2,3,4,5]
The system proved to work in a use case for the estimation of above-ground biomass and N content, as well as for the prediction of grain yield and grain protein content in winter wheat
This study introduces a multispectral camera system and demonstrates its ability to estimate above-ground biomass and N content, as well as to predict grain yield and grain protein content in winter wheat
Summary
Extensive use of nitrogen (N) leads to negative environmental impacts, like eutrophication, acid rains, drinking water contamination and nitrous oxide emissions [1,2,3,4,5]. Farmers have to achieve a certain quantity and quality of yield. They require N fertilization strategies that may ensure good outcomes for both yields and the environment. The calculation of appropriate amounts of N and the correct timing of the fertilization are crucial to supply the crop with sufficient nutrients at all stages of crop development. It decreases the risk of N loss through leaching [7] and nitrous oxide emissions [8]
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