Using Mid-Season NDVI Data from Drones to Produce Variable Rate Fertilizer Maps in Wheat
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Abstract
Variable rate prescription maps can improve nitrogen use efficiency within a field by directing N applications where it is needed. If NDVI collected with a drone could be used to predict yield, it also could be used to develop N rate prescription maps. Experiments on wheat were carried out in farmer fields and in small plots. Small plot experiments consisted of six rates of nitrogen and NDVI was collected from sensors on a drone and was correlated to yield and protein after harvest. NDVI measurements were also collected from farmer fields that had a nitrogen rich strip applied to the field along with a nitrogen poor strip to induce crop growth variability and were compared to the farmer’s fertilizer rate. NDVI did not always predict yield. The best time to predict yield was after anthesis. Additional research is needed to determine factors that affect the prediction of NDVI in wheat.