Evaluation of optical sensor measurements of canopy reflectance and of leaf flavonols and chlorophyll contents to assess crop nitrogen status of muskmelon

Nitrogen losses from intensive vegetal production systems are commonly associated with contamination of water bodies. Sustainable and optimal economic N management requires correct and timely on-farm assessment of crop N status to detect N deficiency or excess. Optical sensors are promising tools for the assessment of crop N status throughout a crop or at critical times. We evaluated optical sensor measurement of canopy reflectance and of leaf flavonols and chlorophyll contents to assess crop N status weekly throughout a muskmelon crop. The Crop Circle ACS 470 was used for reflectance measurement, the SPAD 502 for leaf chlorophyll, and the DUALEX 4 Scientific for leaf chlorophyll and flavonols. Four indices of canopy reflectance (NDVI, GNDVI, RVI, GVI), leaf flavonols and chlorophyll contents and the nitrogen balance index (NBI), the ratio of chlorophyll to flavonols contents, were linearly related to crop N content and to crop Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI) throughout most of the crop. NBI most accurately predicted crop N status; in five consecutive weekly measurements, R² values were 0.80–0.95. For NDVI during the same period, R² values were 0.76–0.87 in the first three measurements but R² values in the last two measurements were 0.39–0.45. Similar relationships were found with the three other reflectance indices. Generally, the relationships with NNI were equal to or slightly better than those with crop N content. These optical sensor measurements provided (i) estimation of crop N content in the range 1.5–4.5%, and (ii) an assessment of whether crop N content was sufficient or excessive for optimal crop growth for NNI ranges of 0.8–2.0. Composite equations that integrated the relationships between successive measurements with the optical sensors and crop N content or NNI for periods of ≥2 weeks (often 2–3 weeks) were derived for most indices/parameters. Overall, these results demonstrated the potential for the use of these optical sensor measurements for on-farm monitoring of crop N status in muskmelon.     

Proximal optical sensing of cucumber crop N status using chlorophyll fluorescence indices

Sustainable N management of intensive vegetable crops requires accurate and timely on-farm assessment of crop N status. Proximal fluorescence-based sensors are promising tools for monitoring crop N status, by providing non-destructive optical measurements of N-sensitive indicator compounds such as chlorophyll and flavonols. The ability of the Multiplex^® fluorescence sensor to determine crop N status was evaluated in two indeterminate cucumber crops grown in contrasting seasons (autumn and spring). Three fluorescence indices, leaf chlorophyll (SFR) and flavonols (FLAV) contents, and their ratio (Nitrogen Balance Index, NBI) were evaluated, and their consistency between the two crops compared. Actual crop N status was assessed by the Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI), calculated as the ratio between the actual and the critical crop N contents (i.e., the minimum N content for maximum growth). There were strong relationships between each of SFR, FLAV and NBI with crop NNI, for most weekly measurements made throughout the two crops. For the three indices, coefficients of determination (R²) were mostly 0.65–0.91 in the autumn crop, and 0.71–0.99 in the spring crop. SFR values were generally comparable between the two crops, which enabled the derivation of common relationships with NNI for individual phenological phases that applied to both cropping seasons. FLAV and NBI values were not comparable between the two crops; FLAV values were appreciably higher throughout the spring crop, which was attributed to the higher solar radiation. Consequently, phenological relationships of FLAV and NBI with NNI were established for each individual cropping season. Our findings suggested that SFR was the most consistent index between cropping seasons, and that NBI was the most sensitive index within each season. Regardless of the index and crops, all fluorescence indices were weakly related to crop NNI during the short vegetative phase while stronger relationships were found in the reproductive and harvest phases. This study also showed that the three fluorescence indices were sensitive to and able to distinguish deficient from optimal crop N status, but that they were insensitive to discriminate optimal from slightly excessive N status. Overall, this study demonstrated that fluorescence indices of chlorophyll content (SFR), flavonols content (FLAV) and nitrogen sufficiency (NBI) can be used as reliable indicators of crop N status in cucumber crops; however, there was variability in FLAV and NBI values between cropping seasons and a lack of sensitivity in the range of optimal to slightly excessive crop N status.     

Determination of sufficiency values of canopy reflectance vegetation indices for maximum growth and yield of cucumber

Large nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications are a feature of intensive vegetable production systems, and optimal N management is required to maximize N use efficiency and minimize N losses. Vegetation indices (VIs) of canopy reflectance, measured with proximal sensors, are generally strongly related to crop N status. For practical application, sufficiency values that distinguish between N deficiency and sufficiency are required. In this work, sufficiency values of VIs for maximum crop growth and for yield were determined for two cucumber crops grown in contrasting seasons (Autumn and Spring). Canopy reflectance was measured with a Crop Circle ACS-470 sensor. Sufficiency values for maximum growth were based on the relationships of VIs with the Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI), i.e. the ratio between actual and critical crop N contents. Sufficiency values for maximum yield were based on linear-plateau relationships of yield with VIs. Strong relationships were obtained between all VIs and both NNI and yield for most of the weekly measurements during both crops. For NNI, best-fit relationships were linear, quadratic, power or exponential, and had coefficients of determination (R²) of 0.61–0.98. For yield, most linear-plateau relationships between yield and VIs had R² values of 0.47–0.89. VIs based on reflectance in green and red edge had slightly better relationships with NNI and yield than VIs in the red, with the Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI) and the Green Ratio Vegetation Index (GRVI) being the most sensitive and consistent indices for estimating both crop NNI and yield. Relationships between VIs and NNI and yield for all weekly measurements of each crop, and for the two crops combined, were also analyzed to provide unique sufficiency values for maximum growth and yield that applied to the entire crop cycle of each crop and of both crops considered together. Overall, there were slight differences between sufficiency values for maximum growth and for maximum yield and the unique sufficiency values were generally intermediate to the weekly sufficiency values. This study demonstrated the potential for using VIs for monitoring crop N nutrition and yield in cucumber. The calculated sufficiency values of VIs may facilitate the use of proximal optical sensors in farming practice for optimal N management through periodic monitoring for deviation from sufficiency values.     

Crop nitrogen demand and canopy area expansion in winter wheat during vegetative growth

The effect of nitrogen (N) on crop growth and productivity is mediated through effects on both light interception (green crop area) and radiation use efficiency (RUE). The effects of N nutrition on these factors were studied using data on green area index (GAI), above-ground dry matter and N uptake from growth analysis measurements in winter wheat from a number of experiments in Denmark with different application rates of N. Only measurements taken prior to anthesis were used in the statistical analyses. The N uptake was found to be proportional to GAI, and to have an additional curvilinear response to dry matter implying decreasing N concentration with increasing dry matter. This supports the hypothesis that nitrogen is associated with both the green surfaces of the crop canopy and with the dry matter component. A model of GAI expansion is presented incorporating three limiting factors: an exponential increase in GAI in thermal time, a minimum leaf area ratio, and a minimum ratio of GAI to N content in above-ground dry matter. This simple function has potential to be used as a tool for targeting timing and rates of N fertilisation in relation to a desired development of GAI. Such N application strategies should also consider the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI), which was defined based on the relationship between N uptake and both GAI and dry matter. The response of RUE to NNI showed a curvilinear response with a tendency for saturation at high NNI. The design of N application strategies should therefore ensure that low NNI is avoided during the most productive periods in the growing season.     

Effects of 15N Split-application on Soil and Fertiliser N Uptake of Barley, Oilseed Rape and Wheat in Different Cropping Systems

In intensive farming systems, farmers split up and apply the N fertilization to winter cereals and oilseed rape (OSR) at several dates to meet the need of the crop more precisely. Our objective was to determine how prior fertilizer N application as slurry and/or mineral N affects contributions of fertilizer‐ and soil‐derived N to N uptake of barley (1997), oilseed rape (OSR; 1998) and wheat (1999). In addition, residual fertilizer N effects were observed in the subsequent crop. Since autumn 1991, slurry (none, slurry in autumn, in spring, in autumn plus in spring) and mineral N fertilizer (0, 12 and 24 g N m⁻²) were applied annually. Each year, the treatments were located on the same plots. In 1997–1999, the splitting rates of the mineral N fertilization were labelled with ¹⁵N. Non‐fertilizer N uptake was estimated from the total N uptake and the fertilizer ¹⁵N uptake. All three crops utilized the splitting rates differently depending on the time of application. Uptake of N derived from the first N rate applied at the beginning of spring growth was poorer than that from the second splitting rate applied at stem elongation (cereals) or third splitting rate applied at ear emergence or bud formation (all three crops). In contrast, N applied later in the growing season was taken up more quickly, resulting in higher fertilizer N‐use efficiency. Mineral N fertilization of 24 g N m⁻² increased significantly non‐fertilizer N uptake of barley and OSR at most of the sampling dates during the growing season. In cereals, slurry changed the contribution of non‐fertilizer N to the grain N content only if applied in spring, while OSR utilized more autumn slurry N. In OSR and wheat, only small residual effects occurred. The results indicate that 7 years of varying N fertilization did not change the contribution of soil N to crop N uptake.     

叶绿素仪与植株硝酸盐浓度测试对冬小麦氮营养诊断准确性的比较研究

通过研究不同土壤氮素供应对冬小麦拔节期叶绿素仪SPAD读数和植株硝酸盐浓度的影响,以及两种方法在冬小麦拔节期与土壤Nmin、植株全氮和吸氮量的关系,比较了SPAD叶绿素仪和植株硝酸盐测试两种氮素营养诊断方法的准确性。认为两种方法都可以比较好的反映冬小麦的氮素营养状况,植株硝酸盐浓度与SPAD读数相比能更好的反映作物的氮素营养状况。     

Nitrogen nutrition index and its relationship to N use efficiency in linseed

Plant-based diagnostic techniques such as the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) are used to determine the level of crop N nutrition, but research, especially on linseed, is limited. The objectives of this study were to determine whether there is a relationship between the NNI of linseed and N use efficiency (NUE) and to use NNI as a diagnostic tool for predicting seed yield response to N fertilization. The relationship between NNI and NUE was investigated in a two year field study of three linseed cultivars (Livia, Lirina, Creola) under different N fertilization conditions (0, 40, and 80 kg ha^?1). N fertilization affected N concentration in different plant parts. The NNI varied from 0.65 to 1.16 across years, growth stage, and cultivar and was affected by the fertilization level. Linseed NUE and its components (N uptake efficiency and N utilization efficiency) were also affected by the cultivar, N fertilization, growing season, and interactions among these variables. N utilization efficiency accounted for more of the variation of NUE than did N uptake efficiency in most cases, and a negative correlation was found between NUE and N utilization efficiency and also between seed yield and NNI. This study provides new information about the effect of N application on NNI and NUE in linseed. High yields of linseed are dependent on an adequate supply of N, which can be diagnosed using NNI.     

华北地区夏玉米临界氮稀释曲线和氮营养指数研究

为了验证玉米临界氮稀释曲线在我国华北地区的适用性,探讨以氮营养指数评价玉米氮营养状况的可行性,以郑单958为材料,设置5个氮肥处理(0、60、120、180和240 kg N hm^-2),利用2年定位试验数据研究了夏玉米临界氮稀释曲线和氮营养指数。结果表明,一定范围内随着施氮量增加,地上部生物量(W)显著增长。玉米各生育时期不同氮肥处理的生物量和氮浓度数据可经统计分析分为限氮和非限氮两组,据此计算各生育时期临界氮浓度(N_c)并建立了夏玉米临界氮稀释曲线模型(N_c = 34.914W^-0.4134),模型参数与已有报道具有较好的相似性。根据模型推算的氮营养指数与相对氮累积量、相对地上部生物量和相对产量均具显著相关性。因此,利用临界氮稀释曲线和氮营养指数可以预测华北地区夏玉米植株临界氮含量和表征植株氮营养状况。     

A RVI/LAI-reference curve to detect N stress and guide N fertigation using combined information from spectral reflectance and leaf area measurements in potato

More user-friendly methods are needed to detect crop N status/stress and guide the timing of in-season N application. In the current study, a reference curve method of detecting N stress was proposed to remedy practical problems of methods that require leaf sampling or maintaining a N sufficient strip in the field. The reference curve method was derived from the integrated information of ratio vegetation index (RVI) and leaf area index (LAI), which were obtained from field experimental potato crops. Different N treatments received 42 kg N ha⁻¹ at planting and, subsequently, the rest of N was applied during the season. The total N ranged from 0 to180 kg N ha⁻¹. RVI and LAI from the economically optimum 180 kg N ha⁻¹ treatments were used to derive the reference curve. RVI and LAI from 180 kg N ha⁻¹ treatment had a high (R² = 0.97) correlation and were best fitted with a 2nd order polynomial function, which was independent of season. The treatments where N fertigation was stopped before reaching 180 kg N ha⁻¹ started to deviate from the 95% confidence interval of the reference curve about 10 days after N-fertigation was stopped. This corresponded to 10–20 kg ha⁻¹ difference in total plant N uptake between reference and the N deprived treatments, implying that a deviation from the reference curve occurred for small N deficits. Besides, running crop simulation model to alert for impendent N stress closely corresponded to the reference curve and was recommended as a second management tool. Therefore two tools are hereby made available to guide supplementary N-fertilization. These will be helpful in regional potato production for diagnosis of N status, and allow discrimination between situations of sub-optimal and optimal N supply.     

Grain nitrogen content of winter bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as related to crop management and to the previous crop

Low-input management for wheat production (less fungicide, low nitrogen rate) could affect grain protein content. The impact of the previous crop could also be a determining factor for wheat quality. A long-term field experiment located near Toulouse (southwestern France), comparing different rotations and management schemes from 1984 to 1993, was used to assess the effect of N availability and diseases on grain nitrogen concentration (GNC) of wheat. GNC ranged from 1.6 to 2.8%, increasing with the input level in 5 years out of 10, as the result of higher nitrogen levels and crop protection with fungicides. Leaf brown rust, high temperatures and water shortage, which affected dry matter accumulation during grain filling, were responsible for high GNC. GNC was generally correlated with N uptake when nitrogen availability was the main limiting factor and to the nitrogen harvest index (NHI) when foliar diseases or drought limited grain production. N uptake in the absence of N fertiliser ranged from 20 to 200 kg ha⁻¹ depending on the previous crop. GNC was closely related to the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) at anthesis.     

Effect of varied N rates and N timings on yield, N uptake and fertilizer N use efficiency of a six-row and a two-row winter barley

The effects of N rates and N timings on yield formation, N uptake at five growth stages and fertilizer N use efficiency of six-row and two-row winter barley were evaluated in field trials conducted from 1990/91 to 1992/93 at the TU Munich's research station Roggenstein.

On average over 3 years the six-row cultivar yielded most at a total rate of 110 kg ha⁻¹ N including an early application of 40 kg ha⁻¹ N up to EC 30 (Zadoks scale). The two-row cultivar achieved maximum yield at a total rate of 140 kg ha⁻¹ N including early applications of 70 kg ha⁻¹ N up to EC 30. The highest yielding N-treatments of six-row barley regularly took up less nitrogen at EC 32 (95 kg ha⁻¹ N on average) than the non-optimally fertilized treatments, whereas full exploitation of the yield potential of two-row barley was associated with higher rates of N-uptake at EC 32 (113 kg ha⁻¹ N on average).

Lodging did not occur in the trials conducted in 1991 and 1992 and no difference was detected between the two cultivars in fertilizer N use efficiency. With six-row barley the N treatment giving maximum yield also led to an optimum fertilizer N use efficiency. Full exploitation of the two-row barley yield potential was associated with suboptimal fertilizer N use efficiencies.     

夏玉米不同部位干物质临界氮浓度稀释曲线的构建及对产量的估计

准确和动态地诊断营养生长阶段植株氮状况,对于评估植物氮需求、预测玉米产量以及优化氮素管理至关重要。基于植物的氮诊断工具可优化夏玉米生产中氮素的管理,本研究旨在开发和验证基于玉米地上部不同部位干物质的临界氮浓度稀释曲线,并建立玉米相对产量(relative yield, RY)与不同生长阶段氮素营养指数(nitrogen nutrition index,NNI)和累积氮素亏缺(accumulatednitrogendeficit,AND)的关系。本文以2个不同氮效率的品种为试验材料进行连续4年的田间定位试验,设置4个氮素水平(0、150、225和300 kg hm-2),分析不同施氮量对2个玉米品种营养生长阶段干物质的影响,基于叶干物质(leaf dry matter, LDM)、茎干物质(stem dry matter, SDM)和植物干物质(plant dry matter, PDM),构建不同的临界氮浓度稀释曲线。结果表明,基于LDM、SDM和PDM建立的临界氮浓度稀释曲线,均能很好地诊断玉米氮营养状况; 3条临界氮浓度稀释曲线对产量进行预测比较发现, RY与NNI和AND在不同生...     

不同氮肥水平下早熟晚粳氮和磷的吸收利用特性及相互关系

采用大田试验,以长江中下游地区具有代表性的50个早熟晚粳品种为材料,研究7个氮肥水平(0、150.0、187.5、225.0、262.5、300.0、337.5 kg hm^-2纯氮)下水稻氮和磷积累量、吸收速率、利用效率的差异及其相互关系。结果表明：(1)在0~337.5 kg hm^-2纯氮范围内,随着氮肥水平的增加,早熟晚粳的植株含氮率和氮积累量在拔节、抽穗和成熟期均显著增加;植株含磷率和磷积累量在拔节和抽穗期显著增加,成熟期呈先增后减变化。(2)播种至拔节阶段氮和磷吸收速率随施氮量的增加而提高,差异极显著;拔节至抽穗阶段氮和磷吸收速率随施氮量的增加呈现先增加后降低的变化趋势;抽穗至成熟阶段的氮和磷吸收速率规律不明显。(3)在0~337.5 kg hm^-2纯氮范围内,随着施氮量的增加氮素籽粒生产效率和磷素籽粒生产效率均显著降低,随着施氮量的增加基因型之间的差异减小;随着施氮量的增加氮和磷收获指数都呈现抛物线关系,在施氮量为262.0 kg hm^-2纯氮时出现最大值。(4)早熟晚粳对氮和磷的吸收利用具有显著的协同效应,但随生育进程的推进这种效应减弱。水稻在播种至拔节、拔节至抽穗和抽穗至成熟3个生育阶段的氮和磷吸收速率都呈二次曲线关系(r=0.892^**,r=0.736^**,r=0.512^**)。(5)相关分析表明,产量与拔节期、抽穗期和成熟期的吸氮量和吸磷量以及播种至拔节期和拔节至成熟期的吸氮速率和吸磷速率呈极显著正相关关系。增施氮肥有利于水稻氮和磷吸收利用的提高,但氮肥过高时氮和磷吸收利用不再增加,甚至有所降低。     

Multi-model uncertainty analysis in predicting grain N for crop rotations in Europe

Realistic estimation of grain nitrogen (N; N in grain yield) is crucial for assessing N management in crop rotations, but there is little information on the performance of commonly used crop models for simulating grain N. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to (1) test if continuous simulation (multi-year) performs better than single year simulation, (2) assess if calibration improves model performance at different calibration levels, and (3) investigate if a multi-model ensemble can substantially reduce uncertainty in reproducing grain N. For this purpose, 12 models were applied simulating different treatments (catch crops, CO₂ concentrations, irrigation, N application, residues and tillage) in four multi-year rotation experiments in Europe to assess modelling accuracy. Seven grain and seed crops in four rotation systems in Europe were included in the study, namely winter wheat, winter barley, spring barley, spring oat, winter rye, pea and winter oilseed rape. Our results indicate that the higher level of calibration significantly increased the quality of the simulation for grain N. In addition, models performed better in predicting grain N of winter wheat, winter barley and spring barley compared to spring oat, winter rye, pea and winter oilseed rape. For each crop, the use of the ensemble mean significantly reduced the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) between simulations and observations to less than 15%, thus a multi–model ensemble can more precisely predict grain N than a random single model. Models correctly simulated the effects of enhanced N input on grain N of winter wheat and winter barley, whereas effects of tillage and irrigation were less well estimated. However, the use of continuous simulation did not improve the simulations as compared to single year simulation based on the multi-year performance, which suggests needs for further model improvements of crop rotation effects.     

不同氮吸收效率品种油菜氮素营养特性的差异

采用土培盆栽试验,在不同供氮水平下对50份甘蓝型油菜进行氮吸收效率筛选,并比较其不同品种的氮素营养特性。结果表明,油菜的氮素营养特性表现出一定的品种差异,其中根系氮累积量及其占总吸氮量的百分比变异系数最大,超过50%,而生长前期植株含氮量的变异系数最小。不论氮素供应水平高低,油菜氮高效品种的总吸氮量和各器官的氮素累积量均显著高于氮低效品种,其中根系氮素累积量的差异最大,而果荚氮素累积量的差异最小;氮高效品种根系中累积的氮素比例均显著高于氮低效品种,而果荚中累积的氮素比例均显著低于氮低效品种;氮高效品种营养生长阶段地上部的含氮量与氮低效品种的差异不显著,而地上部的氮素累积量显著高于氮低效品种;营养生长阶段功能叶片的SPAD值也显著高于氮低效品种。随着供氮水平的改变,氮高效品种各器官的含氮量、氮素累积量和氮素分配比例的变化幅度均显著高于氮低效品种。不同品种油菜氮素营养指标的显著差异为通过遗传改良途径培育作物新品种和提高作物氮肥利用效率提供了基础。     

The Effect of Improved Management on the Yield and Nitrogen Content of Legume Hay/Barley Crop Rotations in West Asia

In the light of growing governmental support in west Asia and north Africa for policies which either discourage cereal monoculture or encourage fallow replacement by farmers, two experiments were conducted in northern Syria. These were designed to evaluate and quantify the effect of agronomic interventions on the productivity and nitrogen content of legume hays, and the subsequent residual effects of these interventions on the yield and nitrogen content of a following barley crop. Quantitative estimates of the residual effects of legume hays, when grown under rainfed conditions, on the N uptake of barley are rarely available for the region at large.
The major management effects on the productivity of legume hays were the addition of phosphate fertilizer and a reduction in row spacing. Positive residual effects on the yields of following barley crops were shown to be small but not insignificant. They could be considered to be important influences in the sustained production of barley in legume hay-barley crop rotations.
It is suggested that the results give further positive evidence that farmers in west Asia will not resist the introduction of improved crop rotations including legumes in place of their current fallow-barley or continuous barley crop sequences.     

Using a Chlorophyll Meter to Optimize Nitrogen Fertilizer Application for Intensively-Managed Small-Grain Cereals

Most methods used to estimate N status require collection, processing and analysis of soil and/or plant tissue samples. In this study, leaf chlorophyll content of cereals, determined in the field with a portable chlorophyll meter (Minolta SPAD-502), was used to predict N availability of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), oats ( Avena sativa L.) and rye ( Secale cereale L.). The results indicated that accurate nitrogen (N) fertilizer recommendations based on chlorophyll content have both environmental and economic advantages. Determination of leaf chlorophyll content with a chlorophyll meter accurately indicated plant N status allowing N fertilizer requirement to be accurately determined and resulting in increased N uptake efficiency. Applying N fertilizer on this basis improved production economics and improved physical input-output ratio during grain yield formation. Using a chlorophyll meter, responsive and non-responsive categories can be determined at the stage of maximum number of florets per ear primordium (Zadoks' GS 37-41) and at pollination (i.e. pollen grains on well-developed stigmatic hairs, GS 52-58).     

不同氮肥处理下玉米中营养成分的分析

为考察氮肥对玉米品质的影响和探讨玉米合理的氮肥处理,采用田间试验和室内分析相结合的方法,研究不同氮肥处理下玉米中蛋白质、脂肪、氨基酸和维生素的含量。结果表明：在玉米的不同生长阶段都施以不同数量的氮肥（基肥：68 kg/hm²;拔节期：52 kg/hm²;大喇叭口期：30 kg/hm²;开花期：30 kg/hm²;灌浆期：45 kg/hm²）,氮肥施用总量为225 kg/hm²时,玉米中蛋白质和脂肪含量最高,分别可达12.82%和9.68%,分别比对照（处理1）高86%和72%;而且在该处理条件下,所检测的所有氨基酸和维生素B1、B2和B6的含量高于其他处理。与其他施肥方式相比,此处理氮肥施入总量最少,因此合理的施肥方式不仅能改善玉米中营养成分的含量,而且能减少肥料的施加量,节约成本。