Project Overview
Reference strips and precision sensors for increased nitrogen use efficiency in wheat production
Information Products
Commodities
- Agronomic: wheat
Practices
- Crop Production: fertilizers
Abstract:
Our project is focused on educating and training wheat producers on how sensor-based technologies can increase the efficiency and profitability of their farm operations. Precision sensors enable to develop crop-specific and site-specific yield potential-based topdress nitrogen recommendations and to increase nitrogen use efficiency.
Introduction
Scientists and crop producers around the world are using crop canopy sensors to evaluate a crop’s nutrient status, estimate a crop’s biomass production, estimate a crop’s yield potential, detect crop stress and disease infestation, breed and select new crops, make fertilizer recommendations, and prescribe variable-rate fertilizer and chemical applications.
The purpose of this project was to improve growers’ knowledge and understanding of how crop canopy sensors and in-field reference strips can be utilized for effective nitrogen (N) management.
Project objectives:
Objectives/Performance Targets
Specific objectives are:
- To establish on-farm studies to demonstrate that non-limiting nitrogen reference strips – in combination with precision sensing methodologies – can be effectively used to accurately determine wheat demand for nitrogen.
- To educate and train wheat growers on how sensor-based technologies can increase the efficiency and profitability of their wheat production operations.
- To train graduate research assistants to utilize sensor-based technologies and to conduct on-farm research.
