Characteristics of Soil Heterogeneity and Effectiveness of Crop Reflectance on Detection of Corn (Zea mays L.) Nitrogen Status

Spatial variations in soil properties can directly affect Nitrogen status of corn (Zea mays L.) and decrease efficiency of uniform fertilizer N applications. The objective of this study was to assess the spatial variations of soil properties and measure the effect on corn Nitrogen status through canopy reflectance. Field trials were conducted in 2010 and 2011 on a producer’s field west of Yazoo City, MS that contained high in field variability. Soil physical and chemical properties all exhibited moderate to high spatial dependency during both years of this study. Vegetative indices were derived from canopy reflectance values and indices utilizing the red-edge were the strongest and most consistent descriptors of tissue N percent and whole plant N uptake. The Canopy Chlorophyll Content Index (I) shows the greatest potential of assessing variations of corn Nitrogen status among the indices tested