Estimation of Nitrogen of Rice in Different Growth Stages Using Tetracam Agriculture Digital Camera

Many methods are available to monitor nitrogen content of rice during various growth stages. However, this monitoring still requires a quick, simple, accurate and inexpensive technique that needs to be developed. In this study, Tetracam Agriculture Digital Camera (ADC) was used to acquire high spatial and temporal resolution in order to determine the status of nitrogen (N) and predict the grain yield of rice (Oriza sativa L.). In this study, 12 pots of rice with four different N treatments (0, 125, 175 and 250 kgha) were used for this experimental study. Three replicates were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) for determining the status of N and predicting the yield. The images were captured in different growth stages (i.e. tillering, panicle initiation, booting and heading stage) over each pot. The Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) value was used as a reference data that indirectly reflects the nitrogen status in rice. The results showed that the amounts of N were significantly correlated with NDVI and GNDVI especially in panicle initiation and booting stages, respectively. The study demonstrated the suitability of using the Tetracam images as a sensor for estimating chlorophyll content and N.