A computational tool for estimating off-target application areas in agricultural fields

Rodrigo S. Zandonadi, Joe D. Luck, Timothy S. Stombaugh, Michael P. Sama, Scott A. Shearer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

A computational method for estimating off-target application areas based on the machine-controlled section width and the field shape was developed and implemented in software with a graphical user interface written in the MatLab environment. The program, which is called the Field Coverage Analysis Tool (FieldCAT), includes three modules: data import, data preparation, and coverage analysis. Nine field boundaries were evaluated to test the software using controlled section widths from 0.5 to 27 m and various swath orientations. The estimated off-target application area from the widest section width varied from 9% to 24% depending on the shape and size of the field boundary and was reduced to less than 1% with the smallest section width. The simulated results were also compared to actual field data from 25 different fields. The FieldCAT software tool was able to provide reliable quantitative estimates of the off-target application of inputs that would occur because of limited resolution of the machine-controlled section width and the path orientation in different field shapes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)41-49
Number of pages9
JournalTransactions of the ASABE
Volume54
Issue number1
StatePublished - Jan 2011

Keywords

  • Boom section control
  • Off-target spray application
  • Precision agriculture equipment
  • Variable-rate application

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Forestry
  • Food Science
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Soil Science

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