High-Throughput Phenomics of Crops for Water and Nitrogen Stress

Abstract

While both water and nitrogen (N) are necessary for crop output and quality, excessive N application increases production costs and environmental degradation. Recent years have seen the development of NUE and WUE assessment tools, which have shown value. This chapter discusses the properties of next-generation phenomics that are critical for recognising rice genotypes during periods of water scarcity. In addition to the newly proposed one, the experiment featured non-imaging hyperspectral remote sensing, thermal imaging, and colour and multispectral imaging sensors from the ground and aerial platforms. Numerous multivariate models for the non-invasive evaluation of rice plants’ relative water content (RWC) and sugar content were examined using spectral reflectance data gathered in the 350–2500 nm spectral region. Differentiating rice genotypes was accomplished using spectral data. A crop water stress score developed from thermal imaging of selected rice genotypes may be used to identify rice with high drought resistance and low drought sensitivity. The researchers used multispectral and RGB sensors mounted on a drone for field remote sensing and heat map mapping to record the distinct responses of various genotypes and characteristics. The procedures established are rapid, low-cost, and non-invasive, providing a viable alternative to traditional approaches. These techniques are now being used to do high-throughput plant phenotyping in water scarcity and nutrient deficiency conditions.