Using the crop’s canopy greeness as an indicator for nitrogen management and crop yield potential – using the GreenSeeker® System.
In the US, Europe and Australia there is increasing interest in using crop sensors based on farm machinery (boom mounted) to monitor crop canopy performance. These sensors combined with GPS mapping can give us accurate pictures of both crop health and weed populations in different parts of the paddock.
In order to evaluate the role of these crop sensors, The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) has purchased a hand held GreenSeeker® for use in research trials to assess the potential of this technology for nitrogen application, crop canopy health monitoring and final yield prediction.
The GreenSeeker comprises a sensor that uses infra red and red light to measure canopy reflectance– higher readings correlating to more crop canopy greeness, which can in turn be related to crop canopy health, nitrogen status and overall photosynthetic activity.
How is FAR planning to use the Greenseeker?
FAR has already started using the Greenseeker over a number of trials. “For example, we are interested to see if this crop sensor can be used as a quick method of assessing disease trials,” says Nick Poole, FAR Research Coordinator; “but the main aim is to examine whether it has a role in spatial nitrogen application. To this end we have started using it over our nitrogen trials in cereals and herbage seed. Whilst it is too late for this season to be linked to N applications and the overall need for N applications, this will be a priority next spring.”