Evaluation of tillage & fertilization in Carthamus tinctorius L. using remote sensing

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of slow-release fertilization and the tillage on the performance of Carthamus tinctorius L. apply via the utilization of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The study lasted from November 24, 2020, to June 16, 2021, and it was conducted in the experimental field of the Agricultural University of Athens. The experiment was set up in a split-plot design with four replications, two main plots [conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT)], and three sub-plots [untreated control (C), urea (U), and urea with nitrification and urease inhibitors (UI+NI)]. Using a multispectral camera (Parrot Sequoia) mounted on a UAV and a ground-based sensor, we were able to acquire crop reflectance data in the red and near-infrared electromagnetic spectrum necessary to calculate the NDVI index (Green Seeker). The information was sent into a geographic information system for analysis (ArcMap). Descriptive statistics were computed, geostatistical analysis was conducted, and the correlation between the reflection data from the two sensors was investigated for the statistical analysis of the data. The highest average NDVI values were recorded in the plots treated: A) with no soil treatment and urea fertilization, and B) with normal soil treatment and urea and nitrification inhibitor fertilizer. On the contrary, the highest yields were reported in CT and UI+NI.