Spectral measurements of the total aerial N and biomass dry weight in maize using a quadrilateral-view optic

Heterogeneous crop stands require locally adapted nitrogen fertilizer application based on rapid and precise measurements of the local crop nitrogen status. In the present study, we validated a promising technique for the latter, namely a tractor-mounted field spectrometer with an oblique quadrilateral-view measuring optic, measuring solar radiation and canopy reflectance in four directions simultaneously. Dry matter yield (kg ha−1), total N content (g N g−1 dry matter) and total aerial N (aboveground N-uptake) (kg N ha−1) in maize were determined in 10 m2 calibration areas in 60 plots differing in their N treatment and seeding density three times in each of three years under field conditions. Results show that the sensor used can reliably determine total aerial N ranging from as little as 5 kg N to 150 kg N ha−1 with R2-values ≥0.81 in 2002 and 2004, and with R2-values ranging from ≥0.57 to 0.84 in 2003. Dry matter yields from as low as 0.3–4.2 t ha−1 could be determined with R2-values ranging from 0.67 to 0.91 in 2002 to 2004. The capacity to ascertain DM yield spectrally was drastically reduced in the higher yield range (>6 t ha−1) probably due to decreased sensitivity of the spectral signal. N-contents were generally not well determined. Taken together there is a good potential to determine reliably differences in total aerial N or DM yield from the five leaf stages unfolded to the five node stage where typically nitrogen applications are carried out.Weather conditions and zenith angles of up to 30° hardly influenced the results appreciably. We conclude that the tractor-based oblique quadrilateral-view optic reflectance sensor represents a suitable instrument to quickly and non-destructively determine crop nitrogen status and therefore allows for site-specific fertilizer application when coupled with a fertilizer algorithm and variable-rate applicator.