Aerial Color Infrared Photography for Determining Late‐Season Nitrogen Requirements in Corn

Abstract

Fast and accurate methods of determining in‐season corn (Zea mays L.) N requirements are needed to provide more precise and economical management and potentially decrease groundwater N contamination. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine if there is a response to late‐season N applied to corn at pretassel (VT) under irrigated and nonirrigated conditions, and (ii) to develop a methodology for predicting in‐season N requirement for corn at the VT stage using aerial color infrared (CIR) photography. Field studies were conducted for 3 yr over a wide range of soil conditions and water regimes in the North Carolina Coastal Plain. Different fertilizer N rates were applied (i) at planting (N PL) to create a range of N supply, corn color, and near‐infrared (NIR) radiance; and (ii) at VT (N VT) to measure yield response to N VT. Aerial CIR photographs were obtained for each site at VT before N application. Significant grain yield responses to N PL and N VT were observed. Economic optimum N VT rates ranged from 0 to 224 kg ha−1 with a mean of 104 kg ha−1. Better prediction of economic optimum N VT rates was obtained with spectral band combinations rather than individual bands, and improved when calculated relative to high‐N reference strips measured at VT. The best predictor of economic optimum N VT (R 2 = 0.67) was a linear‐plateau model based on corn color and NIR radiance expressed using the Green Difference Vegetation Index (GDVI) relative to high‐N reference strips (Relative GDVI, RGDVI).