Comparison of two ground-based active-optical sensors for in-season estimation of corn (Zea mays, L.) yield

ABSTRACT Thirty field experiments were conducted in North Dakota during 2011 and 2012 to compare two ground-based active-optical sensors for their relationship between sensor readings and INSEY (in-season estimate of yield). The experimental design at each site was a randomized complete block with four replications and six nitrogen (N) rate treatments: control, 45, 90, 134, 179, and 224 kg ha−1 applied pre-plant as ammonium nitrate within five days of planting. The two sensors, GreenSeeker® (Trimble, Sunnydale, CA, USA) (GS) and Crop Circle ACS 470® sensor (Holland Scientific, Lincoln, NE, USA) (CC) were used to scan over the top of the corn at V6 and V12 growth stages. The GS INSEY and the CC INSEY were similarly related to corn yield at V6. The CC using the red-edge lens option improved the INSEY relationship to corn yield compared to the GS or the CC using the red lens option at V12.

[1]  William R. Raun,et al.  Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency for Cereal Production , 1999 .

[2]  K. L. Martin,et al.  Optical Sensor‐Based Algorithm for Crop Nitrogen Fertilization , 2005 .

[3]  J. Schepers,et al.  Use of Spectral Radiance to Estimate In-Season Biomass and Grain Yield in Nitrogen- and Water-Stressed Corn. , 2002, Crop science.

[4]  J. Colcord,et al.  REMOTE SENSING AND PHOTO INTERPRETATION , 1973 .

[5]  E. V. Lukina,et al.  Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Cereal Grain Production with Optical Sensing and Variable Rate Application , 2002 .

[6]  K. Schilling,et al.  Chemical transport from paired agricultural and restored prairie watersheds. , 2002, Journal of environmental quality.

[7]  H. R. Duke,et al.  Remote Sensing of Plant Nitrogen Status in Corn , 1996 .

[8]  D. Horler,et al.  The red edge of plant leaf reflectance , 1983 .

[9]  David W. Franzen,et al.  North Dakota Fertilizer Recommendation: Tables and Equations , 2010 .

[10]  W. Lindsay,et al.  Development of a DTPA soil test for zinc, iron, manganese and copper , 1978 .

[11]  L. T. Evans,et al.  Yield potential: its definition, measurement, and significance , 1999 .

[12]  Bryan G. Hopkins,et al.  Estimation of Soil Organic Matter by Weight Loss-On-Ignition , 1996 .

[13]  J. Schepers,et al.  Nitrogen Deficiency Detection Using Reflected Shortwave Radiation from Irrigated Corn Canopies , 1996 .

[14]  Agricultural chemical movement through a field-size watershed in Iowa: surface hydrology and nitrate losses in discharge , 1998 .

[15]  D. Bouldin,et al.  Spatial and temporal processes affecting nitrogen availability at the landscape scale , 2001 .

[16]  S. Dakota.  Recommended Chemical Soil Test Procedures for the North Central Region , 1998 .

[17]  P. Duchaufour,et al.  pH and lime requirement. , 1980 .

[18]  J. Downing,et al.  Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia: Land and Sea Interactions , 1999 .

[19]  A. Gitelson,et al.  Active Sensor Reflectance Measurements of Corn Nitrogen Status and Yield Potential , 2008 .

[20]  S. C. Nolan,et al.  Yield and nutrient mapping for site specific fertilizer management , 1996 .

[21]  L. D. Geohring,et al.  Maize Nitrogen Response as Affected by Soil Type and Drainage Variability , 2005, Precision Agriculture.

[22]  Earl D. Vories,et al.  Corn response to nitrogen is influenced by soil texture and weather , 2012 .

[23]  C. Justice,et al.  Global land cover classification by remote sensing: present capabilities and future possibilities , 1991 .

[24]  John B. Solie,et al.  Expression of Variability in Corn as Influenced by Growth Stage Using Optical Sensor Measurements , 2007 .

[25]  R. W. Whitney,et al.  Use of Spectral Radiance for Correcting In-season Fertilizer Nitrogen Deficiencies in Winter Wheat , 1996 .

[26]  S. R. Olsen,et al.  Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate , 1954 .

[27]  David G. Hopkins,et al.  Variable Fertilizer Application Based on Yield Goal, Soil Fertility, and Soil Map Unit , 1993 .