Analysis of Nitrogen Uptake in Winter Wheat Using Sensor and Satellite Data for Site-Specific Fertilization

Abstract

Sensor- and satellite-based determination of nitrogen uptake provides critical data in site-specific fertilization algorithms. Therefore, two basic noncontact measurement methods (sensor and satellite) were investigated in winter wheat, and their precision was evaluated in this study. Nitrogen uptake at four characteristic growth stages (BBCH 31, BBCH 39, BBCH 55, and BBCH 65) was determined using algorithms based on sensor and satellite data. As a reference, nitrogen uptake was determined using biomass samples in the laboratory (ground truth data). The precision of the tested methods was evaluated using statistical indicators (mean, median, minimum, maximum, and standard deviation) and correlation analyses between the nitrogen uptake of the ground truth data and that of the respective method. The results showed moderate to strong correlations with the nitrogen uptake of the ground truth data for both methods (R2 = 0.57–0.83). Both sensor and satellite data best represented nitrogen uptake in BBCH 39 and 55 (R2 = 0.63–0.83). In sum, there were only slight deviations in the absolute amount of nitrogen uptake (≤±15%). Clear deviations can be explained by external influences during measurement. Overall, the investigations showed that the nitrogen uptake could be appropriately determined as a data basis for site-specific fertilization systems using sensor and satellite data.