Leveraging Smartphone-Based Tools for Nitrogen Management: Insights into Photosynthetic Rate, Radiation Use Efficiency, and Fractional Interception of PAR in Maize
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v70i3.6136Keywords:
Dark green colour index, Maize, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Precision nitrogen managementAbstract
Nitrogen (N) use efficiency in crop production remains low, with substantial losses impacting both economics and the environment. This study validated the Pusa N Doctor app, an innovative tool utilizing a dark green color index (DGCI)-based algorithm, for precision N management in maize during kharif 2023. Field experiments assessed N rates (0, 50, and 75 kg ha⁻¹) combined with App-based or GreenSeeker™ (GSTM) split N applications. Results indicated that N75PK+App achieved the highest photosynthetic rate (32.99 µmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹) and fractionally intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (fPAR) at 60 and 90 DAS. However, N50PK+App exhibited superior radiation use efficiency (5.05 g MJ⁻¹) with reduced N input (121.9 kg ha⁻¹). These findings underscore the app’s potential to optimize N use, reduce fertilizer dependency, and enhance eco-efficiency in maize production, aligning with the UN SDG 12 for sustainable agriculture.
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