Predicting Phosphorus and Potato Yield Using Active and Passive Sensors

Ahmed Jasim, Ahmed Zaeen, Lakesh K. Sharma, Sukhwinder K. Bali, Chunzeng Wang, Aaron Buzza and Andrei Alyokhin
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Ahmed Jasim: Department of Soil Sciences and Water Resources, Agricultural Engineering College, University of Baghdad, Baghdad 00964, Iraq
Ahmed Zaeen: Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
Lakesh K. Sharma: Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Sukhwinder K. Bali: Department of Agroecology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Chunzeng Wang: Department of Environmental Science & Sustainability, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04769, USA
Aaron Buzza: School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
Andrei Alyokhin: School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA

Agriculture, 2020, vol. 10, issue 11, 1-24

Abstract: Applications of remote sensing are important in improving potato production through the broader adoption of precision agriculture. This technology could be useful in decreasing the potential contamination of soil and water due to the over-fertilization of agriculture crops. The objective of this study was to assess the utility of active sensors (Crop Circle™, Holland Scientific, Inc., Lincoln, NE, USA and GreenSeeker™, Trimble Navigation Limited, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) and passive sensors (multispectral imaging with Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs)) to predict total potato yield and phosphorus (P) uptake. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications and six P treatments, ranging from 0 to 280 kg P ha −1 , as triple superphosphate (46% P 2 O 5 ). Vegetation indices (VIs) and plant pigment levels were calculated at various time points during the potato growth cycle, correlated with total potato yields and P uptake by the stepwise fitting of multiple linear regression models. Data generated by Crop Circle™ and GreenSeeker™ had a low predictive value of potato yields, especially early in the season. Crop Circle™ performed better than GreenSeeker™ in predicting plant P uptake. In contrast, the passive sensor data provided good estimates of total yields early in the season but had a poor correlation with P uptake. The combined use of active and passive sensors presents an opportunity for better P management in potatoes.

Keywords: Solanum tuberosum L.; crop circle sensor; GreenSeeker sensor; unmanned aerial vehicle; total potato yield; phosphorus uptake (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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