The prediction of crop biomass, grain yield and grain quality using fluorescence sensing in cereals

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-177
Author(s):  
J. Holland ◽  
D. Cammarano ◽  
G. Poile ◽  
M. Conyers

Potassium (K) is a macronutrient which plays a vital role on crop growth and metabolism. After N the requirements for K are greatest for most arable crops and so the availability of K is of critical importance to optimise production. The precision nutrient management of arable crops requires accurate and timely assessment of crop nutrient status. Much research and practice has focused on crop N status, while there has been a lack of focus on other important nutrients such as K. Therefore, in this study we assess the robustness of 12 fluorescence channels and several indices to predict nutrient status (K, Mg and Ca) across two cereal crops with different row management and lime status on an acidic K deficient soil. A multi-factorial experiment was used with the following treatment factors: crop (barley, wheat), K fertilizer rates (0, 25, 50, 100 kg K/ ha), lime (nil, 1 t/ ha) and two management factors (inter-row, windrow). At flowering the crop was sampled for biomass and nutrient content and proximal sensing (using a Multiplex fluorometer) undertaken of the crop canopy. Crop variables showed significant treatment effects. For instance, all crop variables were greater under the windrow treatment than the inter-row, K rate significantly increased grain yield and TGW, but K rate decreased protein and grain Ca and Mg content, also the grain yield was significantly greater under lime compared with the nil treatment. These crop effects enabled the identification of significant crop-fluorescence relationships. For instance, SFR_R (a chlorophyll index) predicted crop biomass (regardless of crop species) and FLAV predicted with the grain protein of windrow-grown barley. These results are promising and suggest crop-fluorescence relationships can be used to inform crop nutrient status which could be used to aid management decisions. Thus, there is good potential for fluorescence sensing to quantify crop K status and the opportunity to improve the timing and precision of K management for application within a precision agriculture system.

Plants ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 158
Author(s):  
John L. Havlin ◽  
Robert Austin ◽  
David Hardy ◽  
Adam Howard ◽  
Josh L. Heitman

With limited research supporting local nutrient management decisions in North Carolina grape (Vitis vinifera) production, field studies (2015–17) were conducted to evaluate late season foliar nitrogen (N) application on leaf and petiole N concentration and yeast assimilable N (YAN) in the fruit. Foliar urea (1% v/v) was applied at different rates and application times beginning pre-and post-veraison. Compared to soil applied N, late season foliar N substantially enhanced petiole N and grape YAN. Smaller split N applications were generally more effective in increasing YAN than single larger N rates. These data demonstrate the value of assessing plant N content at full bloom with petiole N analysis or remote sensing to guide foliar N management decisions. Additional field studies (2008–11) were conducted to evaluate pre-bud soil applied phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) effects on petiole P and K nutrient status. Fertilizer P and K were initially broadcast applied (0–896 kg P2O5 ha−1; 0–672 kg K2O ha−1) prior to bud-break in 2008–09 and petiole P and K at full bloom soil test P and K were monitored for three to four years after application. Soil test and petiole P and K were significantly increased with increasing P and K rates, which subsequently declined to near unfertilized levels over the sampling time depending on site and P and K rate applied. These data demonstrate the value of annually monitoring petiole P and K levels to accurately assess plant P and K status to better inform nutrient management decisions.


SOIL ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariane Krause ◽  
Thomas Nehls ◽  
Eckhard George ◽  
Martin Kaupenjohann

Abstract. Andosols require the regular application of phosphorus (P) to sustain crop productivity. On an Andosol in NW Tanzania, we studied the short-term effects of amending standard compost, biogas slurry and CaSa compost (containing biochar and sanitized human excreta) on (i) the soil's physico-chemical properties, on (ii) biomass growth and crop productivity, and on (iii) the plants' nutrient status. The practice-oriented experiment design included the intercropping of seven locally grown crop species planted on 9 m2 plots with five repetitions arranged as a Latin rectangle. Differences in plant growth (biomass production and crop yield, e.g., of Zea mays) and crop nutrition (total C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, etc.) were related to pH, CEC (cation exchange capacity), total C and the availability of nutrients (N, P, K, etc.) and water (water retention characteristics, bulk density, etc.) in the soil. None of the amendments had any significant effect on soil water availability, so the observed variations in crop yield and plant nutrition are attributed to nutrient availability. Applying CaSa compost increased the soil pH from 5.3 to 5.9 and the level of available P from 0.5 to 4.4 mg per kg. Compared to the control, adding biogas slurry, standard compost and CaSa compost increased the aboveground biomass of Zea mays by, respectively, 140, 154 and 211 %. The grain yields of maize on soil treated with biogas slurry, standard compost and CaSa compost were, respectively, 2.63, 3.18 and 4.40 t ha−1, compared to only 1.10 t ha−1 on unamended plots. All treatments enhanced crop productivity and increased the uptake of nutrients into the maize grains. The CaSa compost was most effective in mitigating P deficiency and soil acidification. We conclude that all treatments are viable as a substitute for synthetic fertilizers. Nevertheless, further steps are required to integrate the tested soil amendments into farm-scale nutrient management and to balance the additions and removals of nutrients, so that the cycle can be closed.


Author(s):  
N. S. Joshi ◽  
S. S. Prabhudesai ◽  
M. M. Burondkar ◽  
N. B. Gokhale ◽  
K. H. Pujari ◽  
...  

For the present investigation, the soil and leaf samples were collected from four mango orchards of Ratnagiri district at five serial stages namely, after harvest of the fruits of previous season, after application of fertilizers, pre-flowering, full flowering and marble stage of fruit for two successive years. The soil and leaf samples were analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Available phosphorous content in soil and total phosphorous and potassium content in leaf were observed to be ‘low’. The deficiency of phosphorous content of soil and leaf at all the locations and potassium content of leaf at Dapoli and Pangari locations suggested a necessity of an improved supply of these nutrients through application of additional fertilizers. From the investigation, higher nutrient content of soil and leaf was observed at orchards having higher and systematic application of nutrients. A decline of the soil nutrients and rise of leaf nutrients during pre-flowering, flowering and fruit developmental stages was noticed. This indicated that during reproductive stages, supply of nutrients through leaves would be more effective and efficient than through soil. In general, a positive and significant correlation between soil and leaf nutrients at various stages indicated a positive effect of applied fertilizers through soil in increasing the nutrient status of leaf. From the aforesaid findings, it can be concluded that the appropriate nutrient management in case of Alphonso mango is crucial for maintaining optimum nutrient status of soil and leaf.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1221-1261 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Krause ◽  
T. Nehls ◽  
E. George ◽  
M. Kaupenjohann

Abstract. Andosols require the regular application of phosphorus (P) to sustain crop productivity. In a practice oriented field experiment at an Andosol site in NW Tanzania, the effects of various soil amendments (standard compost, urine, biogas slurry and CaSa-compost [biochar and sanitized human excreta]) on (i) the productivity of locally grown crop species, on (ii) the plants' nutrient status and on (iii) the soil's physico-chemical properties were studied. None of the amendments had any significant effect on soil moisture, so the observed variation in crop yield and plant nutrition reflected differences in nutrient availability. The application of CaSa-compost increased the level of available P in the top-soil from 0.5 to 4.4 mg kg−1 and the soil pH from 5.3 to 5.9. Treatment with biogas slurry, standard compost and CaSa-compost increased the above-ground biomass of Zea mays by, respectively, 140, 154 and 211 %. The grain yields of maize on soil treated with biogas slurry, standard compost and CaSa-compost were, respectively, 2.63, 3.18 and 4.40 t ha−1, compared to only 1.10 t ha−1 on unamended plots. All treatments enhanced crop productivity and increased the uptake of nutrients into the maize grains. The CaSa-compost was especially effective in mitigating P deficiency and soil acidification. We conclude that all treatments are viable as substitute for synthetic fertilizers. However, further steps are required to integrate the tested soil amendments into farm-scale nutrient management and to balance the additions and removals of nutrients, so that the loop can be closed.


Author(s):  
Yubaraj Dhakal ◽  
Ram Swaroop Meena ◽  
Sushil Kumar

A field experiment was carried out at Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) during kharif season of 2013 to study the influence of integrated nutrient management on greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek].Three sources of nutrients viz. inorganic, organic and bio-fertilizers were used in twelve combinations with randomized block design. Among different combinations, significant improvement in number of nodules/plant (80.97), dry weight of nodules (32.89 mg/plant), yield attributes, seed yield (12.34 qt/ha), harvest index (28.32%), nutrient content, available NPK and organic carbon after harvest in soil were recorded with application of nutrients through 75% RDF + 2.5 t/ha vermicompost + rhizobium + Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) as compared to other combinations and control, but it was at par with 100% RDF + 2.5 t/ha vermicompost and 100% RDF + rhizobium + PSB.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-73
Author(s):  
Biplov Oli ◽  
Sushil Lamichhane ◽  
Khem Oli

Mapping the spatial distribution of soil fertility in a particular area gives an idea about the nutrient content in the soil which plays an im-portant role in fertilizer recommendation, sustainable soil manage-ment, integrated plant nutrient management, landuse planning, and site-specific nutrient management (SSNM). A study was carried out to assess the soil fertility status of the Rapti Municipality, Chitwan, Ne-pal. A total of 120 soil samples was collected based on land use, slope, and aspects with the useof Google Earth Pro (GEP) and ArcGIS. Based on the soil test report spatial variation of soil texture, soil pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, and potassium of the study area was prepared. The majority of the study area (57.11%) has sandy clay soils. The soil pH was very strongly acidic to slightly alkaline with pH values ranging from 4.8 to 8.0. Soil organic matter (1.94-3.75%), total nitrogen (0.097-0.187%), available phosphorous(51.03-270.10 kgha-1), and available potassium (169.87-358.68 kgha-1) in the soil are within the range of medium to high in the study area. To maintain this nutrient status, the use of organic manure, reduced use of chemical fertilizers, and different soil management practices should be adopted in this area.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
Addis Tadesse ◽  
Hae Koo Kim ◽  
Adugna Debela

Maize is one of a highly valued crop in the national diet of Ethiopians especially in southern and southeastern regions of the country; it is produces across various agro-ecologies of the country. However, its productivity is constrained by blanket application of mineral nutrients, in particular, nitrogen (N). In this study, we aimed to test site-specific nutrient management supported by precision agriculture tools can provide extension agents and farmers better ways to manage nitrogen, to increase net benefit and reduce environmental pollution. The drastic increase in N fertilizer cost, environmental pollution and increased public scrutiny have encouraged development and implementation of improved N management practices. In this context, on-farm and on-station experiment was conducted during 2014 main cropping season in the central rift valley of Ethiopia. The objective of the study was calibrating N fertilizer rate using the handheld NDVI sensor for efficient management of N to optimize grain productivity. The trials were layout in a randomized complete block design with seven levels of N fertilizer with phosphorus applied uniformly. The study evaluated the relationship between grain yield and NDVI using the handheld Green seeker sensor. The result shows that a strong nonlinear relationship (R2=0.79) were exist between NDVI values and harvest grain yield. In similarly fashion positive exponential relationship (R2=0.71) between INSEY and grain yield during vegetative growth stage six (V6) at both locations. Overall this study shows that the handheld NDVI sensor can be an indicator to better manage N fertilizer application.


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