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Hardware and Software Systems for In-Season Variable-Rate Nitrogen Application Missouri – 2004

Hardware and Software Systems for In-Season Variable-Rate Nitrogen Application Missouri – 2004. Ken Sudduth, Newell Kitchen, Peter Scharf, Harlan Palm, Kent Shannon, and John Hummel USDA – ARS and University of Missouri Columbia MO. Overall Approach.

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Hardware and Software Systems for In-Season Variable-Rate Nitrogen Application Missouri – 2004

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  1. Hardware and Software Systems for In-Season Variable-Rate Nitrogen ApplicationMissouri – 2004 Ken Sudduth, Newell Kitchen, Peter Scharf, Harlan Palm, Kent Shannon, and John Hummel USDA – ARS and University of Missouri Columbia MO

  2. Overall Approach • Active sensors assess crop reflectance differences that are then used to vary N application • Reflectance from a non-N-limiting reference strip standardizes the reflectance from the application area

  3. Active Light Sensors • Eliminate effects of sun angle and cloud variations • “green” GreenSeeker by NTech • “new” Crop Circle by Holland Scientific

  4. On-Farm Research • Real-time control on a Spra-Coupe • Fertilizing only 6 rows for research purposes • 3 nozzles (1x, 2x, and 4x) give 7 evenly spaced rates from 30 to 210 lbs N/ac • System tested on 7 producer sites in ‘04

  5. Data Flow Prior to Application Some Questions • Can we better automate creating the reference map? • Spatial extent and placement of reference areas or strips? • How to create the reference map? • Do we use a constant reference value over the whole field? • Interpolate spatially, or using “closeness” with respect to some other parameter? Collect Reference Strip Data Interpolate/ extrapolate whole-field reference map Get Reference Value at Current Point Get Current Position by GPS

  6. Data Flow Prior to Application Green GreenSeeker 1 Green GreenSeeker 2 Crop Circle 3 Crop Circle 4 Collect Reference Strip Data Select and/or Combine Sensor Outputs Interpolate/ extrapolate whole-field reference map Spatial or time-base filtering Get Reference Value at Current Point Get Current Position by GPS

  7. Data Flow Prior to Application Green GreenSeeker 1 Green GreenSeeker 2 Crop Circle 3 Crop Circle 4 Collect Reference Strip Data Select and/or Combine Sensor Outputs Interpolate/ extrapolate whole-field reference map Spatial or time-base filtering Get Reference Value at Current Point N Recommendation Algorithm Smoothing, Deadband, Hysteresis Solenoid Valve Control Get Current Position by GPS 0, 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, or 7x

  8. Control Hardware GPS Green GreenSeeker 1 Green GreenSeeker 2 Crop Circle 3 Crop Circle 4 Laptop Computer Iotech Daqbook 100 Pressure Transducer “As-applied” feedback Stored Data: All sensor data GPS data Processed data System pressure Valve commands Valve actions Iotech Relay Control Module 1x, 2x, and 4x Solenoid Valves Manual Override

  9. Application System • We chose a 6-row system for reasonable plot widths • Near maximum capacity of the SpraCoupe pump at normal operating speeds • Drop nozzles with 1x, 2x, and 4x orifice plates were installed in alternate row middles • Between rows 1 and 2, 3, and 4, and 5 and 6 • Nominal application rates: • 1x = 30 lb N/acre • 2x = 60 3x = 90 • 4x = 120 5x = 150 • 6x = 180 7x = 210

  10. Application System • We continued to use the AGCO Fieldstar controller in the SpraCoupe to change system operating pressure to compensate for changes in ground speed. • To get fast response, we chose a “bypass” or 3-way valve system. • When a particular valve (1x, 2x, or 4x) was not sending N to the ground, that same flow was returned to the sprayer tank through a matched orifice. • The pump was always putting out the same volume at the same pressure, and the pressure control system did not have to respond (they’re generally quite slow)!

  11. Watch out, Newell !!

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