Crop sensing uses reflected light to measure crop biomass and chlorophyll content. It captures in-field variability, providing growers with information which can then be used to adjust inputs such as nitrogen and plant growth regulators.
This Crop Sensing for Nitrogen Management project was set up to investigate whether fertiliser efficiency in wheat crops could be improved by the use of crop sensing technologies. The project had two distinct elements; one based on replicated trials examining how best to use the link between crop reflectance and nitrogen status of the crop canopy, and the other exploring how different manufactured sensors can be applied in the paddock for zonal management (e.g. variable rate fertiliser within the paddock).