Design and Development of a Decision Support System for Real-Time Nitrogen Management in Mediterranean Cropping Systems

Efficient nitrogen (N) management is a major challenge in Mediterranean agriculture due to high spatial variability, climatic constraints and increasing environmental pressure. To address these challenges, a decision support system (DSS), named TeleNitro DSS, was developed within a PRIMA project involving Spain, Italy, Morocco and Tunisia, targeting horticultural crops such as melon, pepper and broccoli to support real-time, field-specific nitrogen management.

The TeleNitro DSS integrates crop information, soil properties, irrigation water quality, climatic data and remote sensing products. Multispectral satellite imagery is used to derive vegetation indices related to crop vigor and nitrogen status, while field and laboratory measurements, including nitrate determination using ion-selective electrodes, are incorporated to improve diagnostic accuracy. The system architecture includes data acquisition and integration, intelligent analysis modules and a user-oriented interface.

The DSS provides actionable outputs such as nitrogen status diagnostics, fertilization recommendations and climate-informed alerts, enabling dynamic adjustment of nitrogen applications throughout the growing season. It also allows tracking of management decisions and agronomic outcomes, supporting continuous optimization of fertilization strategies.

The TeleNitro DSS is designed to improve nitrogen use efficiency, reduce fertilizer losses and support sustainable crop management through digital decision-making tools.