Advanced technology in airborne detection of crop growth can help optimize the strategies of fertilization, and help
maximize the grain output by adjusting field inputs. In this study, Push-broom Hyperspectral Image sensor (PHI) was
used to investigate the influence of soil nitrogen supplied and variable-rate fertilization to the growth of winter wheat.
The objective was to determine to what extent the reflectance obtained in the 80 visible and near-infrared (NIR)
wavebands (from 410nm to 832nm) might be related to differences of variance of soil nitrogen and variable-rate
fertilization. Management plots were arranged at Beijing Precision Farming Experimental Station. Three flights were
made during the wheat growing season. Several field experiments, including the crop sampling, soil sampling and
variable-rate fertilization were carried out in the field. Data were analyzed for each flight and each band separately.
Some spectrum indices were derived from PHI images and statistical correlation analysis were carried out among the
spectrum indices and soil nitrogen, variable-rate fertilization amount. In addition, the spectrum indices difference
between elongation stage and grain filling stage are calculated and the correlation analysis was also carried out. The
analysis results indicated that the reflectance of winter wheat is significantly influenced at certain wavelength by the soil
nitrogen and the variable-rate fertilization. The soil nitrogen effect was detectable in all the three flights. Differences in
response due to soil nitrogen variance were most evident at spectrum indices, such as dλ red, INFLEX, Green/Red, NIRness,
DVI and RDVI. Furthermore, analysis results also indicated that the variable fertilization can reduce the growth
difference of winter wheat caused by spatial distribution difference of soil nitrogen.
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