Optimizing Nitrogen Fertilization in Maize Production to Improve Yield and Grain Composition Based on NDVI Vegetation Assessment

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Nitrogen fertilization is essential for balancing maize yield, grain composition, and environmental sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between nitrogen (N) supply, grain quality traits, and yield potential using UAV-based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) monitoring in a long-term fertilization field experiment in Eastern Hungary. Six N levels (0–300 kg ha−1) were tested during two consecutive growing seasons (2023–2024) under varying climatic conditions. The obtained results showed that moderate N doses (120–180 kg ha−1) provided the optimal nutrition level for maize, significantly increasing yield compared to the control (+5.086 t ha−1 in 2024), while excessive fertilization above 180 kg ha−1 did not result in any substantial yield gains; however, it significantly modified grain composition. Higher N supply enhanced protein content (+0.95% between 0 and 300 kg ha−1) and reduced starch percentage, confirming the protein–starch trade-off, whereas oil content was less affected by nitrogen fertilization, similarly to previous results. The strongest correlation between NDVI values and yield was measured at the post-silking stage (112 DAS; R = 0.638 in 2023, R = 0.634 in 2024), indicating the suitability of NDVI monitoring for in-season yield prediction. Overall, NDVI-based monitoring proved effective not just for optimizing N management but also for supporting site specific fertilization strategies to enhance maize productivity and nutrient use efficiency.

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