Near Infrared Reflectance (NIR) testing is used where farmers are contracted to produce high protein content in crops such as durum and hard wheats. This test is used to measure the total nitrogen percentage and carbohydrate (fructan) percentage in wheat plants.
Plants store more fructans when they are stressed by factors such as nutrient deficiencies and disease. When nitrogen levels are high, fructan levels are low and vice-versa. Sampling for NIR testing is carried out from the beginning stages of tillering through to the stem elongation phase. Stem elongation marks the period of highest nitrogen demand in a plant so it is important that topdressing is carried out before this point.
The tests will give an indication of the quantity of nitrogen needed to reach a yield or protein target, and if there are yield limiting stress factors affecting the crop.
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