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Abstract
The high spatial variability observed in the North Italian fields presents the potential for employing variable rate application (VRA) of fertilizer during durum wheat cultivation. The first objective of this experiment was utilize proximal and remote sensors to calculate vegetation indices (VI) and indicate the N uptake dynamic of the durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf. var. Biensur). Additionally, the identified correlations between N uptake and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from a Trimble Green Seeker device were assessed against data collected from previous years (2011, 2012, and 2013) to produce a significant regression model. The second objective was to conduct a VRA experiment using proximal sensors and a real-time crop model with medium weather forecasts to predict crop nitrogen uptake and improve nitrogen fertilization of the wheat. Post-harvest evaluations showed marginal gains in yield quantity and a lower coefficient of variation of the wheat grain in the VRA zones.