Sensor nutrient management swcs williams
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Sensor-based nitrogen management techniques can help reduce nitrogen usage and costs for cotton farmers. The document outlines a study in Coastal Plain soils that found sensor-based methods reduced nitrogen application by 15-100 lbs/acre for cotton compared to farmer practices, saving $9-60/acre. Soil electrical conductivity mapping and plant nitrogen rich strips were used to identify management zones. Mid-season plant NDVI readings from sensors were calculated in an algorithm to determine variable-rate nitrogen applications, accounting for soil amendments and previous crops. Results showed no yield differences between farmer practices and sensor methods, indicating potential for sensor technology to cut nitrogen costs for cotton growers.
Sensor nutrient management swcs williams
- 1. Sensor-based Nitrogen Management for Cotton in Coastal Plain Soils Sensor-based Nitrogen Management for Cotton in Coastal Plain Soils Phillip Williams, Ahmad Khalilian, Michael Marshall, Jose Payero, Ali Mirzakhani 71st SWCS International Annual Conference Louisville, KY, July 24-27, 2016
- 2. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This Demonstration project is supported by: USDA/NRCS CIG Award No. 69-3A75-14-268 Clemson Public Service Activities This Demonstration project is supported by: USDA/NRCS CIG Award No. 69-3A75-14-268 Clemson Public Service Activities
- 4. Field variations result in the development of plants with a tremendous amount of growth variability, which have a major impact on fertilizer management strategies.
- 5. Cotton Yield CottonLint(lbs/acre) Soil EC (mS/m) R 2 = 0.9202 0 300 600 900 1200 0 2 4 6 8 Soil EC, at planting
- 6. N Rate (lbs/A) LowEC: Medium High 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Effects of soil EC and N rate on seed cotton yields (lbs/acre)SeedCottonYield
- 7. Several researchers have developed algorithms for sensor-based N applications for corn, cotton & wheat. However, due to higher precipitation, significant variation in soil texture, low soil organic matter content, and low nutrient holding capacity of soils in Coastal Plain regions, N-application algorithms, developed at other regions, either under- or over-estimated nitrogen rates for crop production.
- 8. EC Zones SeedCottonYield Effects of Nitrogen Management Systems on Cotton Yield Clemson Farmer OSU Low Medium High 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
- 9. Clemson Yield Prediction Equations INSEY Seed Cotton Yield y = 320.31e112.2x R² = 0.761 y = 502.82e116.07x R² = 0.8837 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 Irrigated Dry Land
- 10. Algorithm Comparison Clemson Algorithm OSU Algorithm YP0= 235.96 e 2216.2 * INSEY INSEY= NDVI/Cumulative GDD RI = 1.8579 * RINDVI – 0.932 %N= 0.09 NUE = 0.50 (YP0 * RI –YP0) * %N N Rate = NUE YP0= 413.46 e104.98 * INSEY INSEY= NDVI/# Days After emergence RI = High NDVI/Field Avg. NDVI %N= 0.04 NUE= 0.50
- 11. EC Zones SeedCottonYield(lbs./acre) Sensor:47 lb./A Conv.:90 lb./A ($48% less) Low Medium High 0 1000 2000 3000
- 12. On average, growers in the US apply about 90 lb./acre N for cotton, for a total of 1.7 million tons. Sensor-based N application has the potential to reduce nitrogen rates by half. Even a 20% reduction in nitrogen rate could save our cotton growers over $100 million annually.
- 13. Objective To demonstrate the benefits of sensor-based nitrogen management strategies to growers, utilizing plant NDVI, Clemson algorithms for Irrigated and dry land cotton, soil amendments, and soil electrical conductivity (EC) data (management zones).
- 14. Overall Objective To assist cotton, corn, and wheat farmers in the Southeastern Coastal Plain region, to adopt innovative and proven conservation technologies for achieving 4R (right source, rate, time, and place) nutrient management.
- 15. Demonstration Sites (2015-16) Al Cribb Farm Walker Nix Farm Jeff Lucas Farm Williams Farm JB Farms Bates Farm Edisto REC (3 sites) Pee Dee REC (2 sites)
- 16. Identifying management zones Establishing nitrogen rich strips Measuring NDVI utilizing sensors Calculating nitrogen requirements Methods for Managing Nitrogen
- 17. Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) meter EC Map, Cribb Farm Identifying management zones
- 18. 4 rows by 50 feet; More nitrogen than the plants can use is applied (150 lbs/A for cotton). Establishing nitrogen rich strips
- 19. Measuring NDVI utilizing sensors NDVI = (NIR - Red) / (NIR + Red)
- 20. Handheld Data Collection • Handheld units –Mobile –Cost effective • Only does small area but gives average
- 21. Whole Field NDVI Mapping • Sensors mounted on sprayer booms, fertilizer applicators, or any mobile field equipment. • Provides a whole field map that can be used in fertilizer applicators or can apply fertilizer “on-the-go”.
- 22. Aerial Mapping • Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) can be used to fly over fields and collect data that can then be made into a prescription map.
- 23. Calculating nitrogen requirements • Excel file can be used to calculate N rates. • NDVI data from UAV, handheld, or field equipment can be used as input.
- 24. Mobile Application and Website The application is designed for smartphones, tablets and computers.
- 25. Planting Date NDVI: N Rich Strip NDVI: Field Max Yield History Irrigated or Dryland N-rates for each zone
- 26. Variable-rate Nitrogen Applicator Rawson Hydraulic Controller
- 27. 2015 Test Results Farm Previous Crop N At Planting (lbs./acre) Sensor‐based N Zone 1 Zone 2 (lbs./acre) Grower N rate (lbs./acre ) N Saved (lbs. /acre) Savings ($/acre) Walker Peanuts 0 40 20 90 50 ‐70 30 ‐ 42 Al Cribb Cotton 45 0 0 90 45 27 Jeff Lucas Clover Chicken litter 0 0 90‐100 90‐100 54‐60 Pee Dee Cotton 0 40‐100 Ave. 60 75 15 9 Statistically there were no differences in cotton yields between farmers’ practice and sensor-based method at all locations
- 28. There is a potential to use mid- season plant NDVI data for variable- rate application of N fertilizer in cotton production, in a user friendly manner that growers and extension can utilize. Summary
- 29. Soil EC management zones should be used for calculating nitrogen application rates in the Southeastern Coastal Plain region. This in addition to sensor technology can work in conjunction to give growers more information to make better management decisions. Summary
- 30. Soil amendments (such as poultry litter) and/or previous crops (such as a legume like peanuts or soybeans) had a significant effect on required nitrogen rates determined by a sensor. Summary
- 31. Sensor-based N management techniques, reduced nitrogen usage by 15 to 100 lbs./acre in cotton, compared to growers‘ application rates. This resulted in $9 to $60 savings/acre. Summary