Practical testing and implementation of sensor-based methods of fertilization and pest management to improve environmental performance, sustainability and profitability in grain production

Project

Production processes

This project contributes to the research aim 'Production processes'. Which funding institutions are active for this aim? What are the sub-aims? Take a look:
Production processes

Project code: 2803UM0103
Contract period: 25.01.2005 - 31.12.2007
Budget: 6,835 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research

The variability of the local natural conditions, in conjunction with the management and weather conditions on agricultural land for the development of plant canopies with some very large heterogeneity. For an optimal allocation of fertilizers and pesticides needs-based adjustment is required. As a prerequisite to easily ascertainable metrics as a source of information about the local nature of a plant stand and also be used as input and control size for job computer of fertilizer spreaders and sprayers can. This requirement is satisfied by the Institute for Agricultural Engineering has developed spherical sensor (Cropmeter), which is to be permits indirect measurement of biomass in stationary Halmkulturen (cereals, grasses) and implemented under this project in six differently textured arable farms in the practice. The sensor is a physical pendulum, which is vehicle-based moves in the normal wear and the plant stands. Depending on the grown plant mass of the pendulum sensor is deflected by a certain amount. This deflection angle to be detected is the basis for determining the plant mass. With the help of an onboard computer and machine-specific sensor technology jobs computer incoming measured values for biomass are calculated and converted into control commands for the site-specific fertilization and crop protection. The aim of this project is therefore to test on the basis of the sensor technology measured plant mass distribution halmbildender crops (cereals), a site specific application of fertilizers, partly by growth regulators and fungicides and fertilizers grassland under practical conditions and to establish the plants permanently. The six applicant companies differ in terms of company size, the expression of the heterogeneity of the surfaces, the level of experience regarding some shock-specific crop, their existing technical equipment, in which the pendulum sensor is integrated and in the application regarding authorizations for future products as well as the cultures in which the sensor is to be used. In this project, the application of the pendulum sensor is combined with a fertilizer spreader for site specific fertilization initially tested without GPS support, and environmental and economic effects can be analyzed using simple level. With the obtained results would be entry-level models for investment firms as well as weak-estimation of risk mitigation or created.

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