Using active canopy sensors and chlorophyll meters to estimate grapevine nitrogen status and productivity

• Published in: Precision agriculture 2015-02, Vol.16 (1), p.77-98
• Main Authors: Taskos, D. G., Koundouras, S., Stamatiadis, S., Zioziou, E., Nikolaou, N., Karakioulakis, K., Theodorou, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Atmospheric Sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Canopies; Chemistry and Earth Sciences; Chlorophyll; Computer Science; Crop science; Crops; Evapotranspiration; Irrigation; Laboratories; Leaves; Life Sciences; Microclimate; Nitrogen; Phenols; Physics; Precision farming; Productivity; Remote sensing; Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry; Seasons; Sensors; Soil Science & Conservation; Statistics for Engineering; Studies; Transmittance; Variables; Vegetation; Vineyards; Vitaceae; Vitis vinifera; Water supply; Wineries & vineyards
• ISSN: 1385-2256; 1573-1618
• DOI: 10.1007/s11119-014-9363-8

Effects of nitrogen (Ν) and water supply on grapevine leaf transmittance and canopy reflectance were studied over 2 years (2009–2010) in two vineyards planted with cvs. Cabernet Sauvignon and Xinomavro ( Vitis vinifera L.) located in northern Greece. Three N (0, 60 and 120 kg ha −1 ) and two irrigation (irrigated at 70 % of crop evapotranspiration and non-irrigated) treatments were managed in triplicate in randomized blocks. Measurements with two transmittance-based chlorophyll meters (CM: SPAD-502 and CCM-200) and two active canopy sensors (Crop Circle ACS-210; amber band and Crop Circle ACS-430; red and red edge bands) were conducted on four and two growth stages, respectively. Fertilization increased leaf N and chlorophyll concentrations, as well as CM readings and vegetation indices. The CCM and SPAD values did not vary across growth stages and better estimated leaf N and chlorophyll concentrations in Cabernet Sauvignon than in Xinomavro. The SPAD readings provided better predictions of leaf N concentration. The vegetation indices of the ACS-430 sensor correlated with leaf N and chlorophyll concentrations and dormant wood in Cabernet Sauvignon; the red edge-based indices were generally more efficient than the red-based indices. Consistent relationships were observed for all ACS-430 indices with yield and for red edge-based indices with total phenols early in the season for both vineyards. The correlation between ACS-210 sensor indices and vine properties was low. These results showed that the two technologies examined could provide information on grapevine performance early in the season but have limitations that may restrict their use in vineyards because the acquired relationships were not consistent across vineyards and instruments.