Effect of nitrogen and water treatments in maize on nitrogen-use and water-use-efficiencies and their estimation using direct leaf imaging and canopy sensors | |
| Author | Gautam, Aishwarya |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AE-17-02 |
| Subject(s) | Nitrogen in agriculture Water use--Estimates Corn--Development |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Agricultural Systems and Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The nitrogen and water supply in maize is an essential factor for controlling production. The water shortage and escalating irrigation costs along with high prices of fertilizers have caused attention to adopt practices to improve water and nitrogen use efficiency. The nitrogen estimation by direct imaging and canopy sensors for site-specific nitrogen management can be affected by both nitrogen and water supply of the crop. A greenhouse experiment was designed including nitrogen fertilisation and water treatments as two independent variables. Results confirmed the influence of soil water availability on common vegetation indices and crop height, even though the dominating effect was nitrogen supply. The effect of water stress cannot be neglected as water scarcity leads to change in the spectral reflectance. The accuracy of sensor is highly affected in severe stress conditions. Spectral reflectance of plant canopy may provide a destructive and rapid technique to detect nutrient and water stress in maize plant. In this research it was investigated that the effect of water on nitrogen stress discrimination based on visible and near infrared reflectance of maize leaves grown in greenhouse (poly house), under controlled environment. The analysis of spectral data indicated that it was challenging to detect the nitrogen deficiency if the plant water status is unknown. However, if priori knowledge of water stress existed, such as optimum watered condition, the ability to discriminate nitrogen stress can be improved significantly. |
| Year | 2017 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural Systems and Engineering (ASE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Soni, Peeyush |
| Examination Committee(s) | Loc, Thai Nguyen;Sarawut Ninsawat |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2017 |