Determination of the relationship between plant nutrient concentration and spectral reflection in Rocket (Eruca vesicaria) cultivation

The spectral reflection characteristics of the plants vary during the vegetation period with the effect of plant nutrient concentrations and other factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nutrient concentration and spectral reflection (RF) in the maturity and harvest periods of the rocket (Eruca sativa L.) plant. The study was conducted using a completely randomized block design with three replications under controlled greenhouse conditions. The treatments were solid fertilizers applied before planting at two different rates (0, 300 and 600 kg da-1), and liquid organic fertilizer applied by drip (20-40 lt da-1) throughout the growing period. Within this period, spectroradiometric measurements were taken with a hand spectroradiometer (plant probe and leaf clips) in the range of 330-1075 nm wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum. In the study, leaf samples were taken simultaneously with spectroradiometric measurements and plant nutrient analyzes were performed in these samples. According to the results, at the maturity stage; between blue band and Cu (0.621**), red band and potassium K (0.554**), harvest stage; green band and P (0.559**), red band and C (-0.581**) there was a statistically significant relationship at P≤0.01 level. With these results, fast, economical and reliable results were obtained in the estimation of some important plant nutrient concentrations affecting yield and quality in rocket cultivation especially in winter in greenhouse conditions without damaging the plant