Exploring hyperspectral bands and estimation indices for leaf nitrogen accumulation in wheat

Abstract Hyperspectral sensing can provide an effective means for fast and non-destructive estimation of leaf nitrogen (N) status in crop plants. The objectives of this study were to design a new method to extract hyperspectral spectrum information, to explore sensitive spectral bands, suitable bandwidth and best vegetation indices based on precise analysis of ground-based hyperspectral information, and to develop regression models for estimating leaf N accumulation per unit soil area (LNA, g N m−2) in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Three field experiments were conducted with different N rates and cultivar types in three consecutive growing seasons, and time-course measurements were taken on canopy hyperspectral reflectance and LNA under the various treatments. Then, normalized difference spectral indices (NDSI) and ratio spectral indices (RSI) based on the original spectrum and the first derivative spectrum were constructed within the range of 350–2500 nm, and their relationships with LNA were quantified. The results showed that both LNA and canopy hyperspectral reflectance in wheat changed with varied N rates, with consistent patterns across different cultivars and seasons. The sensitive spectral bands for LNA existed mainly within visible and near infrared regions. The best spectral indices for estimating LNA in wheat were found to be NDSI (R860, R720), RSI (R990, R720), NDSI (FD736, FD526) and RSI (FD725, FD516), and the regression models based on the above four spectral indices were formulated as Y = 26.34x1.887, Y = 5.095x − 6.040, Y = 0.609 e3.008x and Y = 0.388x1.260, respectively, with R2 greater than 0.81. Furthermore, expanding the bandwidth of NDSI (R860, R720) and RSI (R990, R720) from 1 nm to 100 nm at 1 nm interval produced the LNA monitoring models with similar performance within about 33 nm and 23 nm bandwidth, respectively, over which the statistical parameters of the models became less stable. From testing of the derived equations, the model for LNA estimation on NDSI (R860, R720), RSI (R990, R720), NDSI (FD736, FD526) and RSI (FD725, FD516) gave R2 over 0.79 with more satisfactory performance than previously reported models and physical models in wheat. It can be concluded that the present hyperspectral parameters of NDSI (R860, R720), RSI (R990, R720), NDSI (FD736, FD526) and RSI (FD725, FD516) can be reliably used for estimating LNA in winter wheat.

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