Abstract
Real-time fluoro-sensing is a promising crop sensing technology to support variable-rate nutrient management for precision agricultural practices. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of fluoro-sensing to detect the variability of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) in the crop canopy at the early growth stages of maize (before the V6 crop growth stage). This study was conducted under greenhouse conditions in pots filled with silica sand, and maize plants were supplied with modified Hoagland’s solution with different rates of N and K. Sensor readings were collected using a Multiplex®3 fluorescence sensor and analyzed using ANOVA (analysis of variance) to test differences in crop response to nutrient rates. Regression analysis was used to assess the ability of fluorescence sensor-based indices to estimate N and K in the crop canopy. The results of this study indicate that all fluorescence indices under consideration enabled the detection of N variability in the maize canopy prior to the V2 crop growth stage. The NBI_B (nitrogen balance index blue) index enabled N uptake detection (R2 = 0.99) as early as the V2 crop growth stage. However, the fluorescence indices failed to identify K deficiency, as the maize plants with K treatments showed little to no variability of this nutrient at early crop growth stages as measured by plant tissue analysis. The results present a tremendous opportunity to assess N uptake at early growth stages of maize for precision nitrogen application. We recommend using fluorescence sensor-based NBI_B or NBI_R (Nitrogen balance index red) for early detection of nitrogen uptake in maize for precision nitrogen management.
Highlights
Precision farming and site-specific management assist growers in making precise management decisions for different cropping systems throughout the world [1]
The chlorophyll fluorescence sensor enabled the detection of N uptake variability in maize under greenhouse conditions at the V2 crop growth stage
Even though different rates of K generated K uptake variability, the indices used were not able to detect that variability in maize at any crop growth stage
Summary
Precision farming and site-specific management assist growers in making precise management decisions for different cropping systems throughout the world [1]. One of the most essential tools used for precision crop management system is variable-rate technology, which consists of the application of specific inputs, such as nutrients, water, and pesticides, for specific soil and crop conditions [2]. Most commercial products of variable-rate applications are map-based and are derived from soil test, yield maps, and other spatial information, several real-time sensor systems for nitrogen management are being marketed [4,5]. Using real-time crop sensing to accomplish variable-rate fertilizer applications has tremendous potential to reduce the fertilizer requirement and improve nutrient and cost efficiencies. Is nitrogen a key input for any crop for maximizing yields and economic return, it is the most limiting nutrient for crop production [6,7,8]. Even though worldwide use of N is increasing, NUE is about 50 % for maize (Zea mays L.) and around 30% for agricultural crops in general [13,14,15,16,17]
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