Evaluation of OptRx™ active optical sensor to monitor soybean response to nitrogen inputs

Background: Active optical crop sensors have been gaining importance to determine in-season nitrogen (N) fertilization requirements for on-the-go variable rate applications. Although most of these active in-field crop sensors have been evaluated in maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.), these sensors have not been evaluated in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production systems in North Dakota, USA. Recent research from both South Dakota and North Dakota, USA indicate that in-season N application in soybean can increase soybean yield under certain conditions.

Results: The study revealed that OptRx™ sensor reading did not show any significant differences from early to midway through the growing season. The NDRE (normalized difference red edge) index data collected towards the end of the growing season showed significantly higher values for some of the N treatments as compared to others in both years. The NDRE values were strongly correlated to grain yield for both years under tiled (r = 0.923) and non-tiled (r = 0.901) drainage conditions. Certain soybean varieties displayed significantly higher NDRE values over both years. The three varieties tested across years, under both tiled and non-tiled conditions, showed a significant linear relationship between late August NDRE values and yield (R² = 0.85 for tiled and R² = 0.81 for non-tiled).

Conclusion: In this research, the study results show that the OptRx™ sensor has the potential to work for soybean as well, though later in the crop growing season. Further investigation is needed to confirm the use of OptRx™ sensor for variable rate in-season N applications in soybeans. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.