Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences | Vol. 12, No. 6, June 2026 | pp. 90–95

DOI: 10.46882/2026.AAAS.120601

Research Article

Title: Evaluating Variable-Rate Nitrogen Applications via UAV Photogrammetry in Precision Maize Cultivation

Names of Authors: Schneider, T. P.¹, Fischer, L. M.¹, and Weber, M. J.²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Institute of Sugar Beet Research, Göttingen, Germany. ²Department of Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.

Abstract: Uniform distribution of nitrogen fertilizers across heterogeneous fields reduces profitability and causes nitrate leaching into groundwater systems. This study evaluated an automated variable-rate nitrogen application model driven by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) multispectral imagery in silage maize (Zea mays). Vegetation index maps, specifically the Simplified Canopy Chlorophyll Content Index (SCCCI), were generated during early vegetative expansion phases (V6 stage) to quantify localized nitrogen deficits. Prescription fertilization shapes were generated and executed using real-time variable-rate equipment, comparing results to conventional uniform application fields. The precision imagery approach reduced total synthetic nitrogen use by 18.5% across highly variable terrains. Biomass evaluations showed a more uniform crop canopy profile, with dry matter silage yield reaching an average of 18.4 tons/ha in precision sectors compared to 17.1 tons/ha in uniform fields. Residual soil nitrate measurements taken post-harvest were 34.2% lower in variable-rate blocks, showing high environmental protection performance.

Keywords: Precision agriculture; Drone photogrammetry; Multispectral sensing; Fertilizer prescription; Nitrogen leaching; Silage maize.

Manuscript Timeline: Received February 02, 2026; Revised April 05, 2026; Accepted May 10, 2026; Published June 15, 2026.

Citation: Schneider, T. P., Fischer, L. M., and Weber, M. J. (2026). Evaluating Variable-Rate Nitrogen Applications via UAV Photogrammetry in Precision Maize Cultivation. Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences, 12(6), pp. 90–95.

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