Method of predicting crop yield loss due to n-deficiency

摘要

A method for determining the yield loss of a crop using remote sensor data is described. The yield loss is determined using the reflectivity of green light by the crop canopy measured from remote sensor data such as an aerial photograph that is digitized and spatially referenced to the field's longitude and latitude. Green pixel values from the aerial photograph, expressed relative to green pixel values from well-fertilized areas of the field, are transformed to yield losses using a linear transformation that was developed using empirical data. A similar method is described to determine recommended nitrogen fertilization rates for the crop fields. The yield loss data is useful for nitrogen fertilization management, as it allows a producer of crops to weigh the expense of fertilization against the loss of revenue due to yield loss.

主权项

1. A method for determining a crop yield loss due to nitrogen deficiency in at least one or more crop fields based on an analysis of at least one or more remote sensing images, the method comprising:
a. obtaining the one or more remote sensing images of the at least one or more crop fields; b. assigning spatial coordinates to the at least one or more remote sensing images, represented by pixels or polygons comprised of aggregated pixels, from the at least one or more remote sensing images; c. establishing a reference color value for a reflectivity of a color for the at least one or more remote sensing images, wherein the color is selected from red, blue, green, and infrared; d. calculating a relative color value of each pixel in the at least one or more remote sensing images by dividing a color value of each pixel by the reference color value; e. estimating a yield loss (YL) of each pixel by substituting the relative color value (RC) of each pixel into the formula YL=C1×RC−C2, wherein C1 and C2 are empirically derived constants; and, f. constructing a yield loss map from a spatially referenced yield loss of each pixel; wherein the yield loss comprises a decrease in crop yield per acre of a crop.