Sensors 2015, 15(11), 27832-27853; https://doi.org/10.3390/s151127832
Active-Optical Sensors Using Red NDVI Compared to Red Edge NDVI for Prediction of Corn Grain Yield in North Dakota, U.S.A.
1
Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maine, 57 Houlton Road, Presque Isle, ME 04769, USA
2
Department of Soil Science, School of Natural Resource Sciences, North Dakota State University, Dept. 7180, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
3
Department of Computer Science, North Dakota State University, Dept. 2740, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Fabrizio Lamberti
Received: 13 August 2015 / Revised: 22 October 2015 / Accepted: 28 October 2015 / Published: 2 November 2015
(This article belongs to the Section Remote Sensors)
Abstract
Active-optical sensor readings from an N non-limiting area standard established within a farm field are used to predict yield in the standard. Lower yield predictions from sensor readings obtained from other parts of the field outside of the N non-limiting standard area indicate a need for supplemental N. Active-optical sensor algorithms for predicting corn (Zea mays, L.) yield to direct in-season nitrogen (N) fertilization in corn utilize red NDVI (normalized differential vegetative index). Use of red edge NDVI might improve corn yield prediction at later growth stages when corn leaves cover the inter-row space resulting in “saturation” of red NDVI readings. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of red edge NDVI in two active-optical sensors (GreenSeeker™ and Holland Scientific Crop Circle™) improved corn yield prediction. Nitrogen rate experiments were established at 15 sites in North Dakota (ND). Sensor readings were conducted at V6 and V12 corn. Red NDVI and red edge NDVI were similar in the relationship of readings with yield at V6. At V12, the red edge NDVI was superior to the red NDVI in most comparisons, indicating that it would be most useful in developing late-season N application algorithms. View Full-TextKeywords:
corn; ground-based active-optical sensors; nitrogen; soil
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MDPI and ACS Style
Sharma, L.K.; Bu, H.; Denton, A.; Franzen, D.W. Active-Optical Sensors Using Red NDVI Compared to Red Edge NDVI for Prediction of Corn Grain Yield in North Dakota, U.S.A.. Sensors 2015, 15, 27832-27853.