Changes in Vertical Distribution of Spectral Reflectance within Spring Barley Canopy as an Indicator of Nitrogen Nutrition, Canopy Structure and Yield Parameters

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the spectral reflectance in the vertical profile of spring barley canopy at the booting growth stage and to determine how the reflectance gradient changes in relation to crop density and nitrogen (N) nutrition. Vertical gradients of spectral reflectance were studied in field trials with three sowing densities (2, 4 and 6 million of germinating seeds/ha) and two levels of N nutrition (0 and 90 kg/ha). It was found that differences in vegetation indices caused by N nutrition are most pronounced in the second and third leaf from the top, and these increase with increasing sowing density.

Keywords

• hordeumvulgare
• spectral reflectance
• vertical gradient
• vegetation indices
• nitrogen
• grain yield
• protein content