1. A Canopy-based Decision Framework for Selecting Sensor Platform and Vegetation Index in Variable-rate Nitrogen Management of Irrigated Corn

Sensor-based variable-rate nitrogen (VRN) management promises field-specific N optimization, yet the choice of sensing platform fundamentally alters N recommendations. At early growth stages, a "double penalty" emerges: nitrogen-deficient plants produce smaller canopies, exposing more bare soil, which deflates vegetation index (VI) values and inflates N recommendations where accuracy matters most. This study developed a canopy coverage-based decision framework for selecting optimal sensor... A. Jakhar, L. Bastos, R. Roth, S. Virk, A. Bhattarai, K. Poudel, A. Dhaliwal