Proximal Optical Sensors for Nitrogen Management of Vegetable Crops: A Review
1
Department of Agronomy, University of Almeria, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain
2
CIAIMBITAL Research Centre for Mediterranean Intensive Agrosystems and Agrifood Biotechnology, University of Almeria, 04120 La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sensors 2018, 18(7), 2083; https://doi.org/10.3390/s18072083
Received: 14 May 2018
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Revised: 5 June 2018
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Accepted: 27 June 2018
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Published: 28 June 2018
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Remote Sensing Technologies in Agriculture and Water Management)
Optimal nitrogen (N) management is essential for profitable vegetable crop production and to minimize N losses to the environment that are a consequence of an excessive N supply. Proximal optical sensors placed in contact with or close to the crop can provide a rapid assessment of a crop N status. Three types of proximal optical sensors (chlorophyll meters, canopy reflectance sensors, and fluorescence-based flavonols meters) for monitoring the crop N status of vegetable crops are reviewed, addressing practical caveats and sampling considerations and evaluating the practical use of these sensors for crop N management. Research over recent decades has shown strong relationships between optical sensor measurements, and different measures of crop N status and of yield of vegetable species. However, the availability of both: (a) Sufficiency values to assess crop N status and (b) algorithms to translate sensor measurements into N fertilizer recommendations are limited for vegetable crops. Optical sensors have potential for N management of vegetable crops. However, research should go beyond merely diagnosing crop N status. Research should now focus on the determination of practical fertilization recommendations. It is envisaged that the increasing environmental and societal pressure on sustainable crop N management will stimulate progress in this area.
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Keywords:
chlorophyll meters; flavonols; fluorescence; precision agriculture; reflectance; vegetation indices
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MDPI and ACS Style
Padilla, F.M.; Gallardo, M.; Peña-Fleitas, M.T.; De Souza, R.; Thompson, R.B. Proximal Optical Sensors for Nitrogen Management of Vegetable Crops: A Review. Sensors 2018, 18, 2083. https://doi.org/10.3390/s18072083
AMA Style
Padilla FM, Gallardo M, Peña-Fleitas MT, De Souza R, Thompson RB. Proximal Optical Sensors for Nitrogen Management of Vegetable Crops: A Review. Sensors. 2018; 18(7):2083. https://doi.org/10.3390/s18072083
Chicago/Turabian StylePadilla, Francisco M., Marisa Gallardo, M. T. Peña-Fleitas, Romina De Souza, and Rodney B. Thompson. 2018. "Proximal Optical Sensors for Nitrogen Management of Vegetable Crops: A Review" Sensors 18, no. 7: 2083. https://doi.org/10.3390/s18072083
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