scholarly journals Reducing Topdressing N Fertilization with Variable Rates Does Not Reduce Maize Yield

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 8059
Author(s):  
Calogero Schillaci ◽  
Tommaso Tadiello ◽  
Marco Acutis ◽  
Alessia Perego
Keyword(s):  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Stem Elongation ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Growth Monitoring ◽  
Fixed Rate ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Significant Difference

Proximal sensing represents a growing avenue for precision fertilization and crop growth monitoring. In the last decade, precision agriculture technology has become affordable in many countries; Global Positioning Systems for automatic guidance instruments and proximal sensors can be used to guide the distribution of nutrients such as nitrogen (N) fertilization using real-time applications. A two-year field experiment (2017–2018) was carried out to quantify maize yield in response to variable rate (VR) N distribution, which was determined with a proximal vigour sensor, as an alternative to a fixed rate (FR) in a cereal-livestock farm located in the Po valley (northern Italy). The amount of N distributed for the FR (140 kg N ha−1) was calculated according to the crop requirement and the regional regulation: ±30% of the FR rate was applied in the VR treatment according to the Vigour S-index calculated on-the-go from the CropSpec sensor. The two treatments of N fertilization did not result in a significant difference in yield in both years. The findings suggest that the application of VR is more economically profitable than the FR application rate, especially under the hypothesis of VR application at a farm scale. The outcome of the experiment suggests that VR is a viable and profitable technique that can be easily applied at the farm level by adopting proximal sensors to detect the actual crop N requirement prior to stem elongation. Besides the economic benefits, the VR approach can be regarded as a sustainable practice that meets the current European Common Agricultural Policy.

GIS in Agriculture

2011 ◽  
pp. 324-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Mims Adrian ◽  
Chris Dillard ◽  
Paul Mask
Keyword(s):  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Future Trends ◽  
Global Positioning Systems ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Production Agriculture

This chapter introduces the use of geographic information systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS) in agricultural production. Precision agriculture is a catch-all term that describes using GIS and GPS technologies to manage specific areas of fields. Precision agriculture technologies use information from multiple sources to assist farmers in making crop production and management decisions based on the variability of production potential within fields. In this chapter, we describe the technologies used in production agriculture and we review some of the research associated with the use and future trends of these technologies. The purpose of this chapter is to define and explain GIS and GPS technologies used in agriculture and some of the economic benefits, impacts, and challenges of using these technologies.

scholarly journals DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF A CONTROLLER TO ACHIEVE OPTIMUM SEEDING RATE WITH SPECIFIC SPATIAL MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY

2019 ◽  
Vol XLII-4/W18 ◽  
pp. 917-921
Author(s):  
A. Saberi ◽  
E. Khesali ◽  
M. Fakhri ◽  
H. Enayati ◽  
M. Koushapoor
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Gear Ratio ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Variable Rate ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Fixed Rate ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Spatial Management

Abstract. Achieving optimal seeding rates in different areas of the field is very important for maximizing crop yield. Nowadays, spatial management of croplands as a modern technology has been recommended in precision agriculture systems. Agricultural inputs such as seed, fertilizers, herbicides, etc., should be optimized with field conditions in different areas. For example, fertilizing and moisture should being compatible. Due to changes in these two factors, optimum seeding rates might being different in a field; areas with higher fertility or higher soil moisture have the higher seed rates. An applicable method to reach the ability of variable seeding rates in agricultural machines is to add controllers to the conventional fixed seeding rate seed drills. In the spatial management technology for seeding in a variable rate, first, the map of required seed for seeding practice is prepared for each particle of the field and then loaded in the machine at GIS format. The controller controls the seed rate continuously using the GIS map and the spatial position of the machine at field is provided by positioning systems. The aim of this study was to select the best closed-loop variable rate control system for Hassia seed drill shifting from a fixed rate to variable rate. To this end, Assessment of the performance of a control system that mounted on the seed dill and vary the rotational speed of the seed metering drive shaft performed. The control system was included a 250-watt DC engine, gearbox with constant gear ratio, two encoders (first for sensing the seed drill speed and second for sensing the rotational speed of the engine), position receiver and navigation, DC engine controller, and a portable computer for collecting data. The response time for transmitting seeding rate by the controller was determined from low to high 4/7 seconds and from high to low 2/5 seconds.

scholarly journals Precision agriculture and conservation of coastal landscapes

2020 ◽  
pp. 580-585
Author(s):  
Francesca Vera Romano ◽  
Vincenzo Nunzio Scalcione ◽  
Paola D’Antonio ◽  
Chiara D'Antonio ◽  
Emilia Lacetra
Keyword(s):  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Farm Management ◽  
Global Positioning Systems ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Coastal Landscapes

The application of Precision Agriculture strategies represents an opportunity for farmers to obtain economic benefits. In the area of Metapontino, as demonstrated by the experimentation conducted, the challenge of producing food and at the same time protecting nature and safeguarding biodiversity, it is possible to face it through the introduction of global positioning systems (GPS), a technology capable of integrating the information on soil type, climate, cultivar, crop and farm management, topography and economy.

scholarly journals Integrated crop management: The other precision agriculture

2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Padgitt ◽  
Peggy Petrzelka ◽  
Wendy Wintersteen ◽  
Eric Imerman
Keyword(s):  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Crop Management ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Development Economic ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Integrated Crop Management ◽  
Input Use ◽  
Management Recommendations

Abstract“Precision agriculture” was a favorite buzzword in agricultural discussions in the 1990s. Proponents of precision agriculture note its promises are twofold: economic benefits for the producer and environmental benefits for society. These benefits are to be achieved by improving the efficiency of input use, based on data obtained with global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) technologies. Although fulfillment of these promises has been mixed to date, it appears that “precision agriculture” will continue in the agriculture vernacular into the 21st century. In this article, we propose another sense of the term, and argue that precision agriculture, or at least long strides in that direction, is possible short of these highly complex methods and capital investments, through integrated crop management (ICM). As practiced by the producer and/or provided by independent crop consultants, ICM is one alternative to providing information-intensive management on the farm, and has proven efficiency of input use. That is, the promise of economic and environmental benefits holds true in a manner that makes it possible for any producer to implement “precision agriculture.” Using data from users and nonusers of independent crop consultants implementing ICM, this study reveals that several economic and environmental benefits are gained from the information and management recommendations provided by consultants. Pest and nutrient management recommendations have led to decreases in pesticide and commercial fertilizer use. For the majority of users, these input reductions have resulted in an increase in profits since hiring a consultant. Users attributed changes in total cost of production to their consultant's effectiveness, and some reported receiving double or greater return for every dollar invested in consultant services. The results confirm the important role that Iowa's independent crop consultants could play in agricultural production and environmental protection through their promotion of ICM activities. However, the scarcity of consultants in Iowa, and possibly elsewhere, presents a challenge within the industry. Addressing this issue may help in contributing to rural development, economic benefit for the producer, and environmental benefit for all of society.

Effect of combined use of organic manure and nitrogen fertilizer on the performance of rice under flood-prone lowland conditions

1999 ◽  
Vol 132 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. GHOSH ◽  
A. R. SHARMA
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
N Application Rate ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Central Rice Research Institute

Field experiments were conducted during the wet seasons of 1995 and 1996 at the Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Orissa, India using two rice cultivars, Matangini (improved) and Champaisali (local) to study the advantages of organic manuring in conjunction with inorganic fertilizer with the objective of enhancing rice productivity under semi-deep (0–65 cm) lowland conditions. In 1995, application of 10 t FYM/ha increased grain yield compared with no FYM. The yield produced with FYM alone was similar to the yield following the application of N fertilizer at 20 and 40 kg/ha. There was no significant difference in grain yield due to the application of 20 and 40 kg N/ha in plots treated with FYM. Nitrogen fertilization was effective only when FYM was not applied. In 1996, FYM application alone or in combination with N fertilizer had a beneficial effect on crop growth and grain yield. This was contrary to the results obtained in 1995 when N fertilization at 20–40 kg/ha did not prove beneficial in plots where FYM was applied. The yield due to application of FYM alone was similar to that from the application of 40 kg N/ha as urea. However, the maximum yield was produced when FYM application was supplemented with 40 kg N/ha. There was a significant interaction between N application rate and cultivar. Cultivar Matangini outyielded Champaisali in both years.

Effect of Supplementation of Multi Enzymes on Production Performance and Egg Quality Traits in White Leghorn Layers

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Pandian ◽  
A. Sundaresan ◽  
A. V. Omprakash
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Enzyme Supplementation

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation of Multi-enzymes with lysophospholipids on production performance of pure line White Leghorn layers. Body weights before and after the experiment did not differ significantly across the experimental diets. Irrespective of the dietary treatments, the birds gained 3.83 per cent of live weight relative to its initial body weight. Mean per cent Hen housed egg production was significantly (Pis less than 0.05) higher in diet supplemented with 0.10 MEC-L than other groups. Mean egg weight and average daily feed consumption during 25 to 35 weeks of age indicated no significant effect of enzyme supplementation. Average daily feed consumption per bird in control, 0.05 % and 0.1% multi-enzyme supplemented groups was 108.13, 105.66 and 107.67 g respectively and birds offered control diet recorded numerically more feed intake than enzyme supplemented groups. Comparatively low feed per egg was observed in 0.10 per cent group followed by 0.05 per cent group which offers economic benefits than control diets. However, the egg quality traits between different dietary enzyme supplementation groups showed no significant difference.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Growth and Reproductive Performance of Cloned Pietrain Boars

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2053
Author(s):  
Junsong Shi ◽  
Baohua Tan ◽  
Lvhua Luo ◽  
Zicong Li ◽  
Linjun Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Large Animal ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
F1 Progeny

How to maximize the use of the genetic merits of the high-ranking boars (also called superior ones) is a considerable question in the pig breeding industry, considering the money and time spent on selection. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is one of the potential ways to answer the question, which can be applied to produce clones with genetic resources of superior boar for the production of commercial pigs. For practical application, it is essential to investigate whether the clones and their progeny keep behaving better than the “normal boars”, considering that in vitro culture and transfer manipulation would cause a series of harmful effects to the development of clones. In this study, 59,061 cloned embryos were transferred into 250 recipient sows to produce the clones of superior Pietrain boars. The growth performance of 12 clones and 36 non-clones and the semen quality of 19 clones and 28 non-clones were compared. The reproductive performance of 21 clones and 25 non-clones were also tested. Furthermore, we made a comparison in the growth performance between 466 progeny of the clones and 822 progeny of the non-clones. Our results showed that no significant difference in semen quality and reproductive performance was observed between the clones and the non-clones, although the clones grew slower and exhibited smaller body size than the non-clones. The F1 progeny of the clones showed a greater growth rate than the non-clones. Our results demonstrated through the large animal population showed that SCNT manipulation resulted in a low growth rate and small body size, but the clones could normally produce F1 progeny with excellent growth traits to bring more economic benefits. Therefore, SCNT could be effective in enlarging the merit genetics of the superior boars and increasing the economic benefits in pig reproduction and breeding.

Identification of Agricultural Management Zones Through Clustering Algorithms with Thermal and Multispectral Satellite Imagery

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (Suppl. 1) ◽  
pp. 121-140
Author(s):  
R. B. Arango ◽  
A. M. Campos ◽  
E. F. Combarro ◽  
E. R. Canas ◽  
I. Díaz
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Imagery ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Clustering Algorithms ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Agricultural Management ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Special Equipment ◽  
Management Zones ◽  
Ndvi Index ◽  
Cost Efficient

Precision Agriculture entails the appropriate management of the inherent variability of soil and crops, resulting in an increase of economic benefits and a reduction of environmental impact. However, site-specific treatments require maps of the soil variability to identify areas of land that share similar properties. In order to produce these maps, we propose a cost-efficient method that combines clustering algorithms with publicly available satellite imagery. The method does not require exploring the parcels with any special equipment or taking samples of the soil for laboratory analysis. The proposed method was tested in a case study for three vineyard parcels with topographical dissimilarities. The study compares different spectral and thermal bands from the Landsat 8 satellite as well as vegetation and moisture indices to determine which one produces the best clustering. The experimental results seem promising for identification of agricultural management zones. The findings suggest that thermal bands produce better clustering than those based on the NDVI index.

Using Cross-Validation to Evaluate CERES-Maize Yield Simulations within a Decision Support System for Precision Agriculture

2007 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 1467-1479 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. R. Thorp ◽  
W. D. Batchelor ◽  
J. O. Paz ◽  
A. L. Kaleita ◽  
K. C. DeJonge
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support System ◽  
Support System ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Cross Validation ◽  
Maize Yield

Validation of a Rapid Colorimetric Method with Field Soils

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 1271-1278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Yoon Lee ◽  
Hyo Je Park ◽  
Cheol Woo Han ◽  
Seung Yun Lee ◽  
Gi Young Kweon
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Soil Phosphorus ◽  
Spectroscopic Method ◽  
Colorimetric Method ◽  
Laboratory Procedure ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Field Soils

Abstract. Regularly monitoring the variations in soil composition is an essential part of proper cultivation management. Some conventional soil characterization methods are often costly and require experienced labor. The spectroscopic method is a simpler procedure that minimizes experimental steps and is faster and more economical than conventional methods. Wide-ranging analytical methods have been developed to determine soil phosphorus concentrations in the field; however, no method has been commercialized. Analytical methods based on colorimetric Mehlich-3 and Lancaster soil tests, developed to reduce measurement time in laboratories in the U.S. and South Korea, have been efficient. However, due to laboratory procedures, the soil was pretreated and not verified with field soil. We tested the rapid colorimetric method, which is for on-site plant-available soil phosphorus tests in the field and allows reduced analysis time. The target accuracy of the field tests was >70% correlation with laboratory test results. This method consists of three steps: fast extraction, fast filtration, and fast color development. In a comparison of the rapid colorimetric method and the standard laboratory procedure, the R2 values were 0.78, 0.71, 0.72, and 0.74, respectively, for field soils collected in four regions of South Korea. However, the results showed significant differences in some areas. When the moisture content and electrical conductivity of soil from each region were included in the multiple regression analysis, the cross-validation results showed superior output with no significant difference (p > 0.05). Keywords: Colorimetry, Phosphorus, Precision agriculture, Sensor, Soil.

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