Canopy Reflectance Estimation of Wheat Nitrogen Content for Grain Protein Management

The objective of this study is to evaluate remote sensing as a tool for mea- suring wheat nitrogen (N) content and then demonstrate how that information may be used by crop managers to improve grain protein content. Remote sensing data from aerial and satellite platforms were collected and compared with flag leaf N con- centrations. Flag leaf N was significantly correlated with reflectance (r2 = 0.52- 0.80) during 2002 and 2003. A mid-season application of N increased grain protein in every treatment, but most significantly in the N-stressed treatments. Using remote sensing as a tool, wheat growers can estimate N stress and make decisions about pro- tein management.