Determination of Nitrogen Content in Rice Crop Using Multi-Spectral Imaging

In this study, the nitrogen content of rice plants were measured by remote sensing using multispectral imaging techniques. The multi-spectral imaging model using 4 band wavelengths at 555, 660, 680 and 780nm was successfully developed to predict the nitrogen content in rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Tainung 67). The model gave results of r =0.84, SEC = 0.21, RSEC=12.7% for calibration and r = 0.77, SEP = 0.31, RSEP = 15.5% for prediction. This model was applied to predict nitrogen content in different variety of rice (Taiken 14) and gave results of r=0.72, SEP=0.29, RSEP=17.3%. The prediction results of Tainung 67 in different growth stage and year gave the results of r=0.70, SEP=0.35, RSEP=17.3%. The model exhibited the feasibility of wide applications to different rice varieties and growth years. The model was further applied to the analysis of the distribution of nitrogen content in rice plants in a large scale of paddy field by taking multi-images at 15m above the ground using a mobile lift. The information of crop’s nitrogen distribution could contribute to the development of a decision support system for a site-specific crop management in precision agriculture.