High-throughput phenotyping of canopy dynamics of wheat senescence using UAV multispectral imaging

Abstract

High-throughput phenotyping of senescence dynamic traits is crucial for plant breeding, yet quantifying these dynamics remains limited due to the challenges in multitemporal measurements and validations, hindering the understanding of the association between senescence dynamics and nitrogen fertilization and how it differs between genotypes. Here, we proposed a novel method for extracting senescence dynamic traits (SDTs), quantifying the senescence dynamics based on the uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) multispectral sensing and generalized additive model (GAM). We investigated the extent to which senescence dynamic traits distinguish between winter wheat varieties and nitrogen (N) rates. A field trial was conducted to test the variability in senescence dynamics across wheat varieties under three nitrogen treatments (0, 120, and 180 kg· N ha−1). In addition to the UAV-derived canopy reflectance, we measured leaf anthocyanin concentrations, SPAD, and yield traits and analyzed their relationships with the SDTs. Results revealed that leaves exhibited an earlier onset of senescence under low N levels. The GAM-derived area under the curve (AUC) variables based on chlorophyll and anthocyanin dynamics were both found to be highly correlated with yield traits. The proposed SDTs demonstrated potential for characterizing varietal senescence types, highlighting their utility for multitemporal senescence monitoring and high-throughput field phenotyping. This study opens new possibilities for further field phenotyping research testing the effect of plant varietal differences in senescence dynamics on their nitrogen uptake and use efficiency.

Xiaoxin Song

PhD Student

My research interests include multi-scale plant and crop phenotyping, crop growth and senescence monitoring, dynamic modelling, and remote sensing.

Dr. Weilong Qin

Assistant Researcher (current)

My research interests include remote sensing, plant physiology, and crop resilience.

PD. Dr. Yuncai Hu

Senior Researcher

My research interests include Remote sensing, Precision N nutrient management, Plant phenotyping for complex traits of abiotic stress tolerance, Agricultural N emissions, and Physiological mechanisms of plant responses to abiotic stresses.

Prof. Dr. Kang Yu

Professor of Precision Agriculture

My research interests include precision crop farming, hyperspectral remote sensing, and AI in agriculture.