TY - GEN
T1 - Variable-rate fertilizer application assessment using an asapplied methodology
AU - Fulton, J.
AU - Shearer, S.
AU - Higgins, S.
AU - McBonald, T.
AU - Dillon, C.
AU - Stombaugh, T.
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - The growth of variable-rate technology (VRT) has led to site-specific management (SSM) of farm inputs. While fertilization was one of the first areas where VRT was implemented many producers do not have the ability to evaluate its performance. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a methodology to generate as-applied maps representing the fertilizer distribution from VRT applicators. An as-applied spatial data model was developed which merged pan test distribution pattern data and field application files (FAF) generated by VRT field control software to generate "as-applied surfaces." Collected field data was collected for model validation indicating good correlations for one applicator (several R2 > 0.70) with moderate success for another one (0.59 < R2 < 0.66). However, the correlation between the actual applied material and prescription maps (0.24 < R2 < 0.81) indicated a wide range for VRT performance from field-to-field. These results suggest the model output can be used to evaluate VRT performance and to compare variable-rate management approaches but also indicate the need for a standard VRT testing and evaluation protocol.
AB - The growth of variable-rate technology (VRT) has led to site-specific management (SSM) of farm inputs. While fertilization was one of the first areas where VRT was implemented many producers do not have the ability to evaluate its performance. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a methodology to generate as-applied maps representing the fertilizer distribution from VRT applicators. An as-applied spatial data model was developed which merged pan test distribution pattern data and field application files (FAF) generated by VRT field control software to generate "as-applied surfaces." Collected field data was collected for model validation indicating good correlations for one applicator (several R2 > 0.70) with moderate success for another one (0.59 < R2 < 0.66). However, the correlation between the actual applied material and prescription maps (0.24 < R2 < 0.81) indicated a wide range for VRT performance from field-to-field. These results suggest the model output can be used to evaluate VRT performance and to compare variable-rate management approaches but also indicate the need for a standard VRT testing and evaluation protocol.
KW - Distribution patterns
KW - Maps
KW - Pneumatic applicator
KW - Spinner disc spreader
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84893186802&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84893186802
SN - 9789086860241
T3 - Precision Agriculture 2007 - Papers Presented at the 6th European Conference on Precision Agriculture, ECPA 2007
SP - 681
EP - 687
BT - Precision Agriculture 2007 - Papers Presented at the 6th European Conference on Precision Agriculture, ECPA 2007
T2 - 6th European Conference on Precision Agriculture, ECPA 2007
Y2 - 3 June 2007 through 6 June 2007
ER -
