Rapid diagnosis of nitrogen status in rice based on Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS)

BACKGROUND: An effective and expeditious approach to assess plant nitrogen status is urgently needed in rice production and management as the conventional chemical methods are laborious and time-consuming. RESULTS: Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) was used to record the spectra of rice leaves for the effective diagnosis of nitrogen nutrition status. The band in the wavenumber range of 1680 to 1630 cm(−1) was associated with amide I and that from 1570 to 1510 cm(−1) with amide II. We attempted to use this information to characterize the nitrogen status in rice plants at different growth stages. The ratio of photoacoustic intensity of amide II to amide I was measured and applied as nitrogen status index, and considering the yields, the ratio showed a positive linear correlation (R(2) = 0.9) with the total nitrogen of rice leaves. The ratio at the tillering and full panicle stages were more suitable for diagnosis, a ratio of 0.4–0.55 indicated an adequate nitrogen status, ratios lower than 0.4 indicated a poor nitrogen status; whereas ratios greater than 0.55 indicated excessive nitrogen supply. CONCLUSION: Our study provides an effective and rapid strategy for nitrogen-supply assessment in rice based on FTIR-PAS, which can guide rational fertilization in rice production. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13007-019-0482-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.