Ground level and aerial sensors to detect crop N status and adjust fertilizer application
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Remote sensing has potential for adjusting crop fertilization. Our goal was to compare the ability of several indices obtained from aerial (hyperspectral camera on aircraft) and ground levels sensors (Dualex® and Greenseeker®), for identifying N fertilizer rates and the residual N effect from fertilizers. A field trial with a maize/wheat rotation and various N-fertilizer treatments was conducted in Central Spain. Vegetation indices discriminated between fertilizer rates, but only ground level sensors identified the residual N effect.
The use of mineral fertilizers increased the last decades, but >50% of N applied is not assimilated by crops, contributing to environmental pollution (Tilman et al., 2002). Sensoring crop performance could contribute to adjust N fertilization and to increase N recovery. The objective of this work was to evaluate the ability of ground level sensors and remote sensing to assess crop N status and to adjust fertilization. Specific objectives were: i) to identify different N levels, ii) to compare the residual N effect with and without nitrification inhibitors.