Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T12:17:18.288Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Measuring canopy size and nitrogen content in oilseed rape for variable plant growth regulator and nitrogen fertiliser application

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2017

S. L. Kendall*
Affiliation:
RSK ADAS Ltd, Gleadthorpe, Meden Vale, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG20 9PDUK
K. Storer
Affiliation:
RSK ADAS Ltd, High Mowthorpe, Duggleby, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 8BPUK
P. M. Berry
Affiliation:
RSK ADAS Ltd, High Mowthorpe, Duggleby, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 8BPUK
*
Get access

Abstract

Optimising oilseed rape canopy size through correct management is crucial for maximising yield. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) and nitrogen (N) fertiliser are generally applied at a flat rate, however variable applications may be useful for the optimisation of canopy size. The aim of this paper was to understand the potential for spectral reflectance indices to predict green area index (GAI) and crop N content in winter oilseed rape, with specific focus on the Fritzmeier Isaria Crop Sensor. Three large oilseed rape chessboard experiments were set up in 2015 and 2016 in the UK. The results show good correlations between the Isaria indices and both GAI and crop N content, suggesting that the Isaria may be a useful tool for variably applying PGRs and N fertiliser to oilseed rape.

Type
Precision Nitrogen
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aparicio, N, Villegas, D, Araus, JL, Casadesus, J and Royo, C 2002. Relationship between growth traits and spectral vegetation indices in durum wheat. Crop Science 42, 15471555.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Armstrong, EL and Nicol, HI 1991. Reduced height and lodging in rapeseed with growth regulators. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 31, 245250.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carter, GA and Spiering, BA 2002. Optical properties of intact leaves for estimating chlorophyll concentration. Journal of Environmental Quality 31, 14241432.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Baylis, AD and Wright, ITJ 1990. The effects of lodging and a paclobutrazol-chlormequat chloride mixture on the yield and quality of oilseed rape. Annals of Applied Biology 116, 287295.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Behrens, T, Muller, J and Diepenbrock, W 2006. Utilisation of canopy reflectance to predict properties of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) during ontogenesis. European Journal of Agronomy 25, 345355.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bendig, J, Bolten, A, Bennertz, S, Broscheit, J, Eichfuss, S and Bareth, G 2014. Estimating biomass of barley using crop surface models (CSMs) derived from UAV-based RGB imaging. Remote Sensing 6, 1039510412.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berry, PM and Spink, JH 2006. A physiological analysis of oilseed rape yields: Past and future. Journal of Agricultural Science 144, 381–392.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berry, PM and Spink, JH 2009a. Canopy management and late nitrogen applications to improve yield of oilseed rape. Project Report No. 447, HGCA, London, UK pp. 213.Google Scholar
Berry, PM and Spink, JH 2009b. Understanding the effect of a triazole with anti-gibberellin activity on the growth and yield of oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Journal of Agricultural Science 147, 273285.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berry, PM, Roques, S and Clarke, S 2011. Predicting the optimum rate and timing of nitrogen fertiliser for winter oilseed rape. 13th International Rapeseed Congress. 5-9 June Prague, Czech Republic.Google Scholar
Gitelson, A, Gritz, Y and Merzlyak, M 2003. Relationships between leaf chlorophyll and spectral reflectance and algorithms for non-destructive chlorophyll assessment in higher plant leaves. Journal of Plant Physiology 160, 271282.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Haboudane, D, Miller, JR, Pattey, E, Zarco-Tejada, PJ and Strachan, IB 2004. Hyperspectral vegetation indices and novel algorithms for predicting green LAI of crop canopies: Modeling and validation in the context of precision agriculture. Remote Sensing of Environment 90, 337352.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Islam, N 1988. Effects of nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and yield of oilseed rape (B. napus L.). Dissertation Abstracts International B 49 (5), 1441B1442B.Google Scholar
Lunn, GD, Spink, J, Stokes, DT, Wade, A, Clare, RW and Scott, RK 2001. Canopy Management in winter oilseed rape. Project Report No. OS49. HGCA, London, UK pp. 86.Google Scholar
Muller, K, Bottcher, U, Meyer-Schatz, F and Kage, H 2008. Analysis of vegetation indices derived from hyperspectral reflection measurements for estimation crop canopy parameters of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). Biosystems Engineering 101, 172182.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sylvester-Bradley, R and Makepeace, RJ 1984. A code for stages of development in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). Aspects of Applied Biology 6, 399420.Google Scholar