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Title: SATELLITE IMAGERY FOR SMALL PLOT PRECISION FARMING RESEARCH - NITROGEN RELATIONSHIPS IN IRRIGATED CORN

Author
item Halvorson, Ardell
item CIPRA, JAN - SOIL & CROPS SCI, CSU

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2003
Publication Date: 10/1/2003
Citation: Halvorson, A.D., Cipra, J. 2003. Satellite imagery for small plot precision farming research - nitrogen relationships in irrigated corn. Agronomy Abstracts. CD-ROM/Computer Program.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Improvements in satellite imagery may make it useful for predicting (1) N status of crops, (2) in-season N fertilization, and (3) crop yield potential. Objectives of our study were to determine if high-resolution imagery from the QuickBird' satellite would predict corn (Zea Mays L.) (1) biomass and grain yields and (2) available N at planting as indicated by mid-season leaf color (growth stage VT). The study was conducted in 2002 using small conventional-till and no-till research plots. The strongest relationships between crop parameters and radiometric measurements were found for the green (520-600 nm) and red (630-690 nm) wavelength bands for all tillage and corn rotation treatments and with NIR/red ratio digital number (DN) values for continuous corn rotations. For level of available N at planting, r2 values of 0.95 (green) and 0.90 (red) were observed. No relationships (r2 < 0.02) were found between NIR wavelength band and corn yields or available N. Results indicated that the QuickBird' satellite imagery has potential for use in small plot research, for developing N management zones for site-specific farming, and for predicting irrigated corn grain and biomass yields.