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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #220950
Title: Active crop canopy sensor optimal spatial scale for in-season variable-rate nitrogen application in corn

Author
item ROBERTS, D - GRAD STN UN OF NE/LNK
item FERGUSON, R - PROF AGRON/HORT/UNL NE
item SHANAHAN, JOHN
item SCHEPERS, JAMES

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2007
Publication Date: 11/1/2007
Citation: Roberts, D., Ferguson, R., Shanahan, J.F., Schepers, J.S. 2007. Active crop canopy sensor optimal spatial scale for in-season variable-rate nitrogen application in corn. Agronomy Abstracts #101-4.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Active crop canopy reflectance sensors have shown to be an efficient method for assessing spatially-variable crop nitrogen (N) need and controlling remedial in-season N applications in wheat. Recently, these sensors have been studied for N application in corn. This study will be conducted during the summer of 2007 to determine the optimal spatial scale of one sensor to give a proper assessment of the spatial patterns of N need within a cornfield. Research will be conducted on three irrigated producer fields in central Nebraska. Sensor readings will be collected at two corn growth stages from every row in a specified study area within each field. Geospatial statistics will be used to assess the variability of sensor readings within and between cornrows. Research results will help to determine the optimal number of sensors to use for in-season variable-rate N application in corn.