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Stimulating maize growth under different water regimes through foliar application of micronutrients
Views:35Drought and nutrient stress constrain maize growth, production and productivity. Precision agricultural tools such as foliar fertilisation and irrigation enhance maize growth through mitigation of stresses at different growth stages. The study conducted at Látókép Crop Production Experimental Site, University of Debrecen, Hungary during year 2023, assessed the physiological and growth performance of two maize hybrids exposed to foliar fertilisation under precision drip irrigation and non-irrigated conditions. Foliar fertilizers composed of; nitrogen (10 g/l), zinc (8 g/l), K2O (8.5 g/l), P2O5 (0.83 g/l), and S (8.93 g/l). Data on plant height, leaf area index (LAI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) were collected at the V12, R1, R4, and R6 analysed using a T-test in Genstat software (12th edition). Results showed significant increases in all parameters at the V12, R1, and R4, but NDVI, LAI, and SPAD declined at R6 under both irrigation and non-irrigated conditions. Foliar fertilisation of the two maize hybrids under precision drip irrigation conditions showed that NDVI and plant height had a significant difference (p < 0.05) while no significance difference was noted for SPAD and leaf area index. The percentage LAI due to foliar fertilisation under irrigated conditions was 16.86% and 18.39% for FAO490 and FAO290 respectively however the effect was slightly higher for FAO290 than FAO490. FAO490 and FAO290 hybrids recorded a 23.45% and 10.05% foliar fertilisation effect respectively over control under non-irrigated conditions. FAO490 hybrid consistently performed better under irrigated conditions compared to FAO290 which performed better under non-irrigated conditions. FAO490 hybrid consistently performed better under irrigated conditions compared to FAO290 which performed better under non-irrigated conditions.
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The role of sensor technology in sustainable and efficient agricultural production - Review
Views:232Agricultural sensor technology has become a cornerstone of modern precision farming over the past two decades. Our research focused on the applications of remote and proximal sensing technologies, with an emphasis on satellite, drone-based, soil-embedded, and plant-mounted sensors. The study analyzed the presence of sensors in scientific publications and the evolution of research trends. The results showed that the number of scientific publications on sensor technology has grown exponentially, particularly in the last decade, reflecting increasing scientific and practical interest in the field. It was found that modern advancements, such as nanotechnology, have significantly contributed to reducing sensor size and enhancing their sensitivity, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Sensor applications enable the optimization of water, nutrient, and energy use, contributing to agricultural sustainability. Our research highlighted the importance of sensor technology in improving production efficiency and addressing global agricultural challenges.
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Precision maize stand analysis using remote sensing methods: plant density measurement with spectral data integration
Views:214The aim of this study was to use remote sensing with a drone equipped with a multispectral camera to take a stand survey of maize after the phenological stage of emergence, and to count the number of emerged plants and determine its accuracy. Our investigations were carried out at the University of Debrecen, Látókép Production Experimental Station in a sowing date long-term experiment. In the 2024 growing season, Sowing Date I was on 4 April and Sowing Date II on 12 April. The same maize hybrids with 8-8 different genotypes were used for each sowing date. There is a strong correlation between number of plants/plot and number of plants/rowx2 for the two plant density measurements presented in this paper, with an r value of 0.977*** (p < 0.001). Among the plant density and NDVI values, the correlation between number of plants/rowx2 at the second measurement time (July 4) was significant at r=-0.418***. The analysis of the relationship between number of rows and yield showed that the hybrids included in the study compensated well for differences in number of rows due to sowing or emergence and this did not translate into an increase or decrease in yield. By using the plant density count method and results to identify emergence imbalances, farmers can correct their crop stand management strategies in a timely manner. Knowing the exact number of plants can also be important for subsequent agrotechnical decisions.