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Sensing Resolution in Corn. Kyle Freeman Soil 4213 4-29-02. Objectives of the Precision Sensing Team at Oklahoma State University. Determine suitable resolution for corn to efficiently and economically sense and fertilize on the go using Greenseeker ™ lighted sensors. Hypotheses.
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Sensing Resolution in Corn Kyle Freeman Soil 4213 4-29-02
Objectives of the Precision Sensing Team at Oklahoma State University • Determine suitable resolution for corn to efficiently and economically sense and fertilize on the go using Greenseeker™ lighted sensors.
Hypotheses • It is possible to accurately predict final yield on a by-plant basis. • Corn should be treated similar to winter wheat, sensing and treating each square meter. • The sensing resolution of corn should be large including by row for a set distance, or even larger than that like x-rows by y-distance.
Spatial Variability in Soils • Raun et al. (1998) found significant differences in mobile an immobile nutrients on a sub-meter scale. • Solie et al. (1999) stated that in order to describe the variability encountered in the field, measurements should made at the submeter level.
Resolution in Winter Wheat • Raun et al. (2001) showed the ability to predict yield on 2m x 2m areas by taken the sum of two NDVI reading and dividing it by the GDDs between the two readings. • Lukina et al. (2001) showed a stronger correlation between yield and one NDVI reading divided by the total number days from planting where GDD>0.
Wheat Resolution cont. • Raun et al. (2002) demonstrated that sensing and treating 1m2 areas could increase yields decrease N inputs and increase NUE.
Methods to Determine Field Resolution in Corn. • Environments • Dryland • Irrigated • Varieties • Hybrids and open pollinated varieties • Maturities • GMO’s and conventional • Nutrient status • Nitrogen • Micronutrients
Methods cont. • Plant architecture • Large plants and rooting zones • During sensing period do not have 100% ground cover. • Engineering issues • By plant sensing and treating is a possibility • Where to apply fertilizer (foliar or to the soil) • What types of fertilizer can we apply (liquids, solids, and AA)
Methods cont. • Agronomy issues • Determining algorithms that work across hybrids and environments • Determining the most efficient and practical means to apply nitrogen fertilizer to maize to increase yield and NUE. • To continually destroy all new sensing equipment developed by the engineers.
What about other Research • University of Nebraska • Using aerial imaging at a 0.5 m2 resolution • Ground rig sense and treat applicator operates at approximately 9 m2 • Everybody else • Who knows • Currently not much work on fertilizing small scale resolution in corn.
Expected Results • Who Knows! That is why I have a job. • A reliable algorithm and N management strategy will be developed at OSU by the Precision Ag Sensing team. • Small scale resolution will be essential to making precision ag technology work in corn.
Importance to Precision Ag • Precision Ag Technologies will be advancing in Maize and Greenseeker and OSU wants to be a part of it. • Corn precision ag systems will drive the industry to adapt new technologies. • Due to higher input costs • More intensively managed.