On‐the‐go active remote sensing for efficient crop nitrogen management

Purpose To describe the function and use of the GreenSeeker™ active remote sensor used to detect crop nitrogen status. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the GreenSeeker active remote sensor and its use in irrigated maize production systems will be described. A brief discussion of the science of using remote sensing for studying plants is presented. Additionally, a summary of observations collected from field trials is presented. Findings The GreenSeeker active sensor has tremendous potential for accurately characterizing crop variability for site‐specific N rate determinations in the Western Great Plains region of the United States. Originality/value This paper discusses the GreenSeeker active sensor for detecting crop variability. Data from the GreenSeeker can be used to make site‐specific nitrogen fertilizer applications which may lead to improved nitrogen use efficiency.