Method for providing control data for an application device

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for providing control data for an application apparatus for applying a fertilizer product to a farmland, the method comprising: providing field data of the farmland; providing first fertilizer product data, where the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product comprising means for reducing nitrogen loss; providing second fertilizer product data, where the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include means for reducing nitrogen loss; providing application rate data for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data including application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the farmland based on the provided farmland data; providing an emission calculation model configured to calculate CO2 equivalents for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and application rate data for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product; providing CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product using the emission calculation model; providing a CO2 equivalent difference between applying the first fertilizer product and applying the second fertilizer product based on the CO2 equivalent data; providing a predetermined CO2 equivalent save value; if the CO2 equivalent difference value is higher than or equal to the CO2 equivalent saving value, providing control data for application equipment for applying the first fertilizer product to the farmland; and if the CO2 equivalent difference value is lower than the CO2 equivalent saving value, providing control data for application equipment for applying the second fertilizer product to the farmland.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for providing control data to an application device for applying a fertilizer product to farmland, an application device for applying a fertilizer product to farmland, a system and / or apparatus for providing control data to an application device for applying a fertilizer product to farmland, the use of different data in this method, and corresponding computer program elements. Background Art

[0002] The general background of the present disclosure is the treatment of farmland with fertilizer products. Farmers apply fertilizer products containing nitrogen forms (such as ammonium, nitrate and / or organic nitrogen), such as urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, calcium ammonium nitrate, manure, slurry, etc. Nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth, plant health and reproduction. About 5% of the plant-available nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate) in the soil comes from the decomposition process (mineralization) of organic nitrogen compounds such as humus, plant and animal residues and organic fertilizers. About 5% comes from rainfall. However, on a global basis, the largest part (90%) is supplied to plants by organic and inorganic (so-called mineral) nitrogen fertilizers. The inorganic nitrogen fertilizers mainly used include urea and / or ammonium compounds or their derivatives, i.e., nearly 90% of the nitrogen fertilizers applied worldwide are in the form of urea and / or Nf (see, Subbarao et al., 2012, Advances in Agronomy, 114, 249-302). However, all nitrogen forms are converted into other nitrogen forms in the soil, wherein during these conversion processes, nitrogen losses in the form of ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O) and / or nitrate (NO3) may occur. The extent of these nitrogen losses depends on different soil, weather and management factors. It is generally known that such nitrogen losses can be reduced by different means, for example by so-called nitrogen inhibitors, such as nitrification inhibitors, denitrification inhibitors, urease inhibitors or mineralization inhibitors. However, it is often difficult for farmers to objectively decide whether and how the corresponding means should be applied.

[0003] It has been found that there is a need to provide objective means for assessing the impact of using fertilizers including means for reducing nitrogen losses. Summary of the invention

[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for providing control data to an application device for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field, the method comprising:

[0005] Providing field data for farmland;

[0006] providing first fertilizer product data, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product including a means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0007] providing second fertilizer product data, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include a means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0008] providing application rate data for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the agricultural field based on the provided field data;

[0009] providing an emission calculation model configured to calculate CO2 equivalents of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product;

[0010] Providing CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product using the emission calculation model;

[0011] providing a CO2 equivalent difference between applying the first fertilizer product and applying the second fertilizer product based on the CO2 equivalent data;

[0012] Provides a predetermined CO2 equivalent savings value;

[0013] If the CO2 equivalent difference is higher than or equal to the CO2 equivalent savings value, control data is provided for application equipment used to apply the first fertilizer product to the farmland; and if the CO2 equivalent difference is lower than the CO2 equivalent savings value, control data is provided for application equipment used to apply the second fertilizer product to the farmland.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural fields, wherein control data for the application equipment is provided by a computer-implemented method for providing control data for an application equipment as described in the present disclosure.

[0015] In other words, an application device for applying a fertilizer product to an agricultural field is provided. The application device is configured to use control data of the application device, and the application device is particularly controlled by means of the control data, wherein the control data is control data provided by the method for providing control data for an application device as described in the present disclosure.

[0016] In other words, an application device for applying a fertilizer product to a farmland is provided. The application device is configured to use control data of the application device, and the application device is particularly controlled by means of the control data, wherein the control data is control data provided by the following operations:

[0017] Providing field data for farmland;

[0018] providing first fertilizer product data, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product including a means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0019] providing second fertilizer product data, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include a means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0020] providing application rate data for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the agricultural field based on the provided field data;

[0021] providing an emission calculation model configured to calculate CO2 equivalents of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product;

[0022] Providing CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product using the emission calculation model;

[0023] providing a CO2 equivalent difference between applying the first fertilizer product and applying the second fertilizer product based on the CO2 equivalent data;

[0024] Provides a predetermined CO2 equivalent savings value;

[0025] If the CO2 equivalent difference is higher than or equal to the CO2 equivalent savings value, control data is provided for application equipment used to apply the first fertilizer product to the farmland; and if the CO2 equivalent difference is lower than the CO2 equivalent savings value, control data is provided for application equipment used to apply the second fertilizer product to the farmland.

[0026] In particular, an application device according to the present disclosure may be configured to operate according to control data. The control data may, for example, be configured to provide operating instructions for operating the application device.

[0027] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for providing control data to an application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural fields, the system comprising:

[0028] a providing unit configured to provide field data of a farmland;

[0029] a further providing unit configured to provide first fertilizer product data, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product comprising means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0030] a further providing unit configured to provide second fertilizer product data, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0031] a further providing unit configured to provide application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the agricultural field based on the provided field data;

[0032] a further providing unit configured to provide an emission calculation model, the emission calculation model being configured to calculate the CO2 equivalent of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product;

[0033] a further providing unit configured to provide CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product using the emission calculation model;

[0034] a further providing unit configured to provide a CO2 equivalent difference between applying the first fertilizer product and applying the second fertilizer product based on the CO2 equivalent data;

[0035] a further providing unit configured to provide a predetermined CO2 equivalent saving value;

[0036] An additional providing unit is configured to perform the following operations: if the CO2 equivalent difference is higher than or equal to the CO2 equivalent savings value, provide control data for an application equipment used to apply the first fertilizer product to the farmland; and if the CO2 equivalent difference is lower than the CO2 equivalent savings value, provide control data for an application equipment used to apply the second fertilizer product to the farmland.

[0037] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for providing control data for an application device for applying a fertilizer product to farmland, the apparatus comprising: one or more computing nodes; and one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions thereon, the computer-executable instructions being configured to, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, cause the apparatus to perform the following steps:

[0038] Providing field data for farmland;

[0039] providing first fertilizer product data, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product including a means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0040] providing second fertilizer product data, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include a means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0041] providing application rate data for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the agricultural field based on the provided field data;

[0042] providing an emission calculation model configured to calculate CO2 equivalents of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product;

[0043] Providing CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product using the emission calculation model;

[0044] providing a CO2 equivalent difference between applying the first fertilizer product and applying the second fertilizer product based on the CO2 equivalent data;

[0045] Provides a predetermined CO2 equivalent savings value;

[0046] If the CO2 equivalent difference is higher than or equal to the CO2 equivalent savings value, control data is provided for application equipment used to apply the first fertilizer product to the farmland; and if the CO2 equivalent difference is lower than the CO2 equivalent savings value, control data is provided for application equipment used to apply the second fertilizer product to the farmland.

[0047] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to the use of field data, fertilizer product data, application rate data and / or emission calculation models in a computer-implemented method for providing control data for application equipment as described in the present disclosure and / or in a system / apparatus for providing control data for application equipment as described in the present disclosure.

[0048] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer program element having instructions which, when executed on a computing device of a computing environment, is configured to perform the steps of a computer-implemented method for providing control data for an application device as described in the present disclosure in a system / apparatus for providing control data for an application device as described in the present disclosure.

[0049] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for use on agricultural fields, the method comprising:

[0050] Providing field data for farmland;

[0051] providing first fertilizer product data, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product including a means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0052] providing second fertilizer product data, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include a means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0053] providing application rate data for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the agricultural field based on the provided field data;

[0054] providing an emission calculation model configured to calculate CO2 equivalents of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product;

[0055] The emission calculation model is used to provide CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product.

[0056] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for use on farmland, the system comprising:

[0057] a providing unit configured to provide field data of a farmland;

[0058] a further providing unit configured to provide first fertilizer product data, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product comprising means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0059] a further providing unit configured to provide second fertilizer product data, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0060] a further providing unit configured to provide application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the agricultural field based on the provided field data;

[0061] a further providing unit configured to provide an emission calculation model, the emission calculation model being configured to calculate the CO2 equivalent of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product;

[0062] A further providing unit is configured to provide CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product using the emission calculation model.

[0063] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for providing CO2 equivalent data of a fertilizer product for use on farmland, the apparatus comprising: one or more computing nodes; and one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions thereon, the computer-executable instructions being configured to, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, cause the apparatus to perform the following steps:

[0064] Providing field data for farmland;

[0065] providing first fertilizer product data, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product including a means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0066] providing second fertilizer product data, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include a means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0067] providing application rate data for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the agricultural field based on the provided field data;

[0068] providing an emission calculation model configured to calculate CO2 equivalents of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product;

[0069] The emission calculation model is used to provide CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product.

[0070] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer program element having instructions which, when executed on a computing device in a computing environment, is configured to perform the steps of a computer-implemented method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for farmland as described in the present disclosure in a system / apparatus for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for farmland as described in the present disclosure.

[0071] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for use on farmland, the method comprising:

[0072] Providing field data for farmland;

[0073] providing fertilizer product data, wherein the fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product including a means for reducing nitrogen losses;

[0074] providing application rate data of the fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising an application rate for applying the fertilizer product to the farmland based on the provided field data;

[0075] applying the fertilizer product to the farmland based on the application rate data;

[0076] providing an emission calculation model configured to calculate the CO2 equivalent of the fertilizer product based on the fertilizer product data and the application rate data of the fertilizer product;

[0077] The emission calculation model is used to provide CO2 equivalent data of the fertilizer product;

[0078] Optionally, the CO2 equivalent data is provided to a Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system.

[0079] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to the use of CO2 equivalent data provided by the computer-implemented method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural fields in a management system for producing a fertilization product.

[0080] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to use of CO 2 equivalent data provided by the computer-implemented method for providing CO 2 equivalent data in a measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) system.

[0081] The embodiments described herein relate to the above listed methods, systems, apparatuses, administration devices, computer program elements, and vice versa. Advantageously, the benefits provided by any embodiment and example are equally applicable to all other embodiments and examples, and vice versa.

[0082] As used herein, "determining" also includes "estimating, calculating, initiating or causing determining", "generating" also includes "initiating or causing generating", and "providing" also includes "initiating or causing determining, generating, selecting, sending, querying or receiving".

[0083] The methods, apparatus, systems, application equipment, devices, computer program elements disclosed herein provide an objective means to assess whether agricultural fields should be fertilized with fertilizers that include means for reducing nitrogen losses.

[0084] In addition, the present disclosure can provide CO2 equivalent data for fertilizing farmland with fertilizers with and without means for reducing nitrogen losses. This can help farmers decide whether it is justified to fertilize farmland with a fertilizer product that includes means for reducing nitrogen losses.

[0085] In addition, the present disclosure can provide CO2 equivalent data for fertilizers that have been applied to farmland that include means for reducing nitrogen losses. This can help farmers decide whether it is justified to fertilize their farmland with fertilizer products that include means for reducing nitrogen losses in the future.

[0086] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an objective means to assess whether to fertilize agricultural land with fertilizers that include means for reducing nitrogen losses. In addition, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide CO2 equivalent data for fertilizing agricultural land with fertilizers with or without means for reducing nitrogen losses.

[0087] These and other objects are solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims and will become apparent on reading the following description. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0088] The term "farmland" as used herein should be broadly understood in the present case, and presents any area (i.e., surface and underground) of the soil to be treated with a fertilizer product. Farmland can be any plant or crop planting area, such as a cultivated field, a greenhouse, etc. Plants can be crops, weeds, volunteer plants, crops from the previous growing season, beneficial plants, or any other plants present on the farmland. Farmland can be identified by field data or georeferenced location data related to the geographical location of the farmland. The farmland can be further specified using reference coordinates, size, and / or shape. Field data can be used to calculate the application rate / application amount of the farmland. Field data can be further used to specify which climate zone the farmland is located in. Field data, particularly the geographical location of the farmland, can be further used to provide weather data, such as historical weather data, actual weather data, and / or predicted weather data. It is worth noting that field data can be further used to provide soil parameter data, topographic data, and any additional data that can be used to fine-tune the emission calculation model.

[0089] The term "control data" as used herein should be understood broadly in the present context and represents any data configured to operate and control the application device. The control data is provided by the control unit and can be configured to control one or more technical means of the application device, such as drive control, but not limited thereto.

[0090] The term "application equipment" as used herein should be understood broadly in the present context and refers to any equipment configured to apply fertilizer to the soil of a farmland. The application equipment can be configured to pass through the farmland. The application equipment can be a ground or air vehicle, such as a tractor, a tracked vehicle, a robot, an aircraft, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a drone, etc. The application equipment can be an autonomous or non-autonomous application equipment.

[0091] The term "application system" as used herein should be understood broadly in the present context and refers to any holder or mounting of an application device, wherein the application system is directly mounted, connected or arranged at the application equipment. Exemplarily, the application system can be a sprayer boom, a fertilizer spreader boom, but is not limited thereto. At least one (in particular a plurality of) application devices are arranged at the application system.

[0092] The term "fertilizer product" as used herein should be understood broadly and includes any solid or liquid fertilizer product and combinations thereof. The term "fertigation / fertigation" as used herein should be understood broadly in the present context and presents any action of dropping, placing or introducing a fertilizer / fertilizer product into a soil area of ​​an agricultural field. Fertilizer is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or plant tissue to supply plant nutrients.

[0093] Fertilizer products can contain urea, NO 3- NH4 + Ions, NH3 and / or organic N can also generate NH4 in soils through decomposition (e.g., hydrolysis) + ions or NH3. The term "fertilizer" may be understood as an organic and / or chemical compound applied to promote plant and fruit growth. Fertilizers are typically applied through the soil (to be absorbed by plant roots), through soil substitutes (also to be absorbed by plant roots) or through foliar application (to be absorbed by leaves). The term also includes mixtures of one or more different types of fertilizers as mentioned below.

[0094] The term "fertilizer" can be subdivided into several categories, including: a) organic fertilizers (consisting of rotten plant / animal matter), b) inorganic fertilizers (consisting of chemicals and minerals) and c) urea-containing fertilizers. Organic fertilizers can include manure, such as liquid manure, semi-liquid manure, biogas fertilizer, manure or straw fertilizer, slurry, vermicompost, peat, seaweed, compost, sewage and sea guano. Green manure crops are often also planted to add nutrients (especially nitrogen) to the soil. Manufactured organic fertilizers include, for example, compost, blood meal, bone meal and seaweed extracts. Other examples are enzyme digested protein, fish meal and feather meal. Decomposed crop residues from previous years are another source of fertility. In addition, naturally occurring minerals such as rock phosphates, potash sulfates and limestone are also considered to be inorganic fertilizers. Inorganic fertilizers are usually manufactured by chemical methods (e.g., from N such as Haber-Bosch process), which also use naturally occurring sediments, but they are chemically modified (e.g., concentrated triple superphosphate). Naturally occurring inorganic fertilizers include Chilean sodium nitrate, rock phosphate, limestone and raw potash fertilizer. In a specific embodiment, inorganic fertilizers can be "NPK fertilizers", "NP fertilizers" and "NK fertilizers". NPK fertilizers are inorganic fertilizers prepared at suitable concentrations and include three major nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and typically a combination of S, Mg, Ca and trace elements. NP fertilizers are inorganic fertilizers prepared at suitable concentrations and include two major nutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and typically a combination of S, Mg, Ca and trace elements. NK fertilizers are inorganic fertilizers prepared at suitable concentrations and include two major nutrients nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) and typically a combination of S, Mg, Ca and trace elements. Other inorganic fertilizers may include ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate nitrate, ammonium sulfate or ammonium phosphate. In a specific embodiment, the urea-containing fertilizer may be urea, urea formaldehyde, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) solution, urea sulphur, stabilized urea, urea-based NPK fertilizer or urea ammonium sulfate. It is also envisaged that urea is used as a fertilizer. In the case of using or providing urea-containing fertilizers or urea, it is particularly preferred that urease inhibitors as defined above may be added or additionally present, or they may be used simultaneously or in combination with urea-containing fertilizers. Urea-containing fertilizers are hydrolyzed by microorganisms, thereby releasing ammonia and forming ammonium ions. Therefore, urea-containing fertilizers may be considered as a storage form of ammonium.

[0095] The fertilizer may be selected from: solid or liquid inorganic fertilizers containing ammonium and / or nitrates, such as NPK, NP and NK fertilizers, ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, calcium nitrate or ammonium phosphate; solid or liquid organic fertilizers, such as liquid manure, semi-liquid manure, manure, biogas fertilizer and straw fertilizer, vermicompost, compost, seaweed or sea guano, or urea-containing fertilizers such as urea, urea formaldehyde, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) solution, urea sulfur, stabilized urea, urea-based NPK, NP and NK fertilizers, urea ammonium sulfate, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the fertilizer contains NH4 + ions; more preferably, the fertilizer is selected from solid or liquid ammonium-containing inorganic fertilizers. The fertilizer can be provided in any suitable form (e.g., as a powder, crystals, solid coated or uncoated pellets or granules, in liquid or semi-liquid form, or as a sprayable fertilizer). The fertilizer can be applied via drip irrigation in the use and application method.

[0096] A wide range of materials can be provided for coated fertilizers. For example, coatings can be applied to granular or granular nitrogen (N) fertilizers or multi-nutrient fertilizers. Typically, urea is used as the base material for most coated fertilizers. Alternatively, ammonium, nitrate or NPK, NP and NK fertilizers are used as the base material for coated fertilizers. However, the disclosure also contemplates the use of other base materials for coated fertilizers (any of the fertilizer materials defined herein). In certain embodiments, elemental sulfur can be used as a fertilizer coating. Coating can be performed by spraying molten S on solid urea particles and then applying sealing wax to seal cracks in the coating. In another embodiment, the S layer can be covered with an organic polymer layer, preferably a thin layer of organic polymer. Further contemplated coated fertilizers can be provided by reacting a resin-based polymer on the surface of the fertilizer particles. Another example of providing coated fertilizers includes using a low permeability polyethylene polymer in combination with a high permeability coating. In a specific embodiment, the composition and / or thickness of the fertilizer coating can be adjusted to, for example, control the nutrient release rate for a specific application. The duration of nutrient release of a particular fertilizer may vary, for example, from a few weeks to a few months. Thus, the presence of a nitrogen inhibitor (e.g., a nitrification inhibitor) in admixture with the coated fertilizer may be accommodated. In particular, it is contemplated that nutrient release is associated with or accompanied by the release of a nitrogen inhibitor (e.g., a nitrification inhibitor) according to the present disclosure.

[0097] Coated fertilizers can be provided as controlled release fertilizers (CRF). In a specific embodiment, these controlled release fertilizers are fully coated urea or NPK, NP and NK fertilizers, which are homogeneous and typically show predefined release long-term properties. In another embodiment, CRF can be provided as a blended controlled release fertilizer product that can contain coated, uncoated and / or slow-release components. In certain embodiments, these coated fertilizers can additionally include micronutrients. In a specific embodiment, these fertilizers can show predefined long-term properties, such as in the case of NPK, NP and NK fertilizers. Additional envisioned examples of CRF include combined release fertilizers. These fertilizers typically show predefined release combinations (such as high / standard / low) and predefined long-term properties. In an exemplary embodiment, fully coated NPK, NP and NK Mg and micronutrients can be delivered in a combined release mode. Double coating methods or coated fertilizers based on programmed release are also envisioned.

[0098] In further embodiments, the fertilizer mixture may be provided as a slow release fertilizer (SRF), or may include or contain a slow release fertilizer. The fertilizer may be released, for example, over any suitable period of time, for example over a period of 1 to 5 months, preferably up to 3 months. Typical examples of ingredients of slow release fertilizers are IBDU (isobutylene diurea), for example containing about 31%-32% nitrogen, of which 90% is water insoluble; or UF, i.e. a urea-formaldehyde product containing about 38% nitrogen, of which about 70% can be provided as water insoluble nitrogen; or CDU (crotyl diurea) containing about 32% nitrogen; or MU (methylene urea) containing about 38% to 40% nitrogen, of which 25%-60% is typically cold water insoluble nitrogen; or MDU (methylene urea) containing about 40% nitrogen. The fertilizer mixture may be a long-term nitrogen-carrying fertilizer containing a mixture of acetylene diurea and at least one other organic nitrogen-carrying fertilizer selected from methylene urea, isobutylene diurea, crotonyl diurea, substituted triazinones, triuret or mixtures thereof.

[0099] Any of the above fertilizers or fertilizer forms can be appropriately combined. For example, slow-release fertilizers can be provided as coated fertilizers. They can also be combined with other fertilizers or fertilizer types. The same applies to the presence of nitrogen inhibitors (e.g., nitrification inhibitors) according to the present disclosure, which can be adapted to the form and chemical properties of the fertilizer and thus provide that its release is accompanied by the release of the fertilizer, such as at the same time or with the same frequency. The present disclosure further contemplates fertilizers or fertilizer forms as defined herein in combination with nitrification inhibitors as defined herein, further in combination with urease inhibitors as defined herein and / or in combination with denitrification inhibitors and / or mineralization inhibitors. This combination can be provided in coated or uncoated form and / or in slow-release or fast-release form. Preferably in combination with slow-release fertilizers comprising coatings. In other embodiments, different release schemes are also contemplated, such as slower or faster release.

[0100] The term "drip fertigation / fertigation" as used herein refers to the application of fertilizers, optional soil amendments and optional other water-soluble products together with water through an irrigation system to plants or places where plants are growing or intended to grow or soil substitutes as defined below. For example, liquid fertilizers or dissolved fertilizers can be directly provided to plants or places where plants are growing or intended to grow via drip fertigation. Similarly, nitrogen inhibitors (e.g., nitrification inhibitors) according to the present disclosure, or in combination with additional nitrogen inhibitors, can be provided to plants or places where plants are growing or intended to grow via drip fertigation. Fertilizers and nitrogen inhibitors according to the present disclosure, or in combination with additional nitrogen inhibitors, can be provided together, for example, dissolved in the same feed or charge of irrigated material (typically water). In another embodiment, fertilizers and nitrogen inhibitors can be provided at different time points. For example, fertilizers can be drip-fed first, followed by nitrogen inhibitors, or preferably, nitrogen inhibitors can be drip-fed first, followed by fertilizers. The time intervals of these activities follow the time intervals described herein for the application of fertilizers and nitrogen inhibitors. It is also contemplated to repeatedly drip fertigate fertilizers according to the present disclosure and nitrogen inhibitors, together or intermittently, for example every 2 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days or longer.

[0101] As used herein, the term "nitrogen inhibitor" should be broadly understood and include any chemical substance that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by nitrogen loss after nitrogen fertilizer application to farmland, such as nitrification inhibitors and / or urease inhibitors and / or denitrification inhibitors and / or mineralization inhibitors. These inhibitors improve nitrogen utilization efficiency by reducing nitrogen losses in the form of ammonia, nitrous oxide and nitrates. Nitrification inhibitors delay the natural conversion of ammonium to nitrate by suppressing the activity of specific bacteria (such as Nitrosomonas species) within a specific time period. As used herein, the term "nitrification" should be understood as ammonia (NH3) or ammonium (NH4+) being oxidized to nitrite (NO2-) by oxygen biology, and then these nitrites are oxidized to nitrate (NO3-) by microorganisms. In addition to nitrate (NO3-), nitrous oxide (N2O) is also produced by nitrification. Nitrification is an important step in the nitrogen cycle in soil. Therefore, suppressing nitrification can also reduce N2O and / or NO3 losses.

[0102] The first fertilizer product may include a nitrification inhibitor. Examples of nitrification inhibitors are: linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, methyl p-coumarate, methyl ferulate, methyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (MHPP), karanjin, brachialacton, sorgoleone, 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)-pyridine (chlorpyrifos or N-serve), dicyandiamide (DCD, DIDIN), 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP, ENTEC), 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole hydrochloride (ATC), 1-amido-2-thiourea (ASU), 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine (AM), 2-mercapto-benzothiazole (MBT), 5-ethoxy-3-trichloromethyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole (dimethoxazole, thiabendazole), 2-sulfonamidothiazole (ST), ammonium thiosulfate (ATU), 3-methylpyrazole (3-MP), 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (DMP), 1,2,4-triazolethiourea (TU), N-(1H-pyrazolyl-methyl)acetamide such as N-((3(5)-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)acetamide and N-(1H -pyrazolyl-methyl)formamides such as N-((3(5)-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methylformamide, N-(4-chloro-3(5)-methyl-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)-formamide, N-(3(5),4-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)-formamide, neem, products based on neem ingredients, cyanamide, melamine, zeolite powder, catechol, benzoquinone, sodium tetraborate, zinc sulfate, 2-(3,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)succinic acid, 3,4-dimethylpyrazolium glycolate, 3,4-dimethylpyrazolium mandelate, 1,2,4 -triazole, 4-chloro-3-methylpyrazole, dicyandiamide, a reaction adduct of urea and formaldehyde or a triazone-formaldehyde-dicyandiamide adduct, 2-cyano-1-((4-oxo-1,3,5-triazinane-1-yl)methyl)guanidine, ((2-cyanoguanidino)methyl)urea, 2-cyano-1-((2-cyanoguanidino)methyl)guanidine, 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole hydrochloride (ATC), allylthiourea, chlorate, 1,2,3-triazole and its derivatives, derivatives of 5-amino-1,2,4-thiadiazole, heterocyclic compounds, methyl cinnamate, 1,9-decanediol and combinations thereof.

[0103] The first fertilizer product may include biological products (so-called biostimulants) for increasing nutrient / nitrogen utilization efficiency. Examples of biostimulants are: seaweed extracts (e.g., Ascophyllum nodosum), bacterial extracts (e.g., extracts of one or more nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms and / or biopesticides), fungal extracts, humic acid (e.g., potassium humate), fulvic acid, inositol, glycine, lipid chito-oligosaccharides (LCO), chito-oligosaccharides (CO), chitin compounds, flavonoids, jasmonic acid or its derivatives (e.g., jasmonates), cytokinins, auxins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, ethylene, brassinosteroids, salicylates, macro- and micronutrients, linoleic acid or its derivatives, linolenic acid or its derivatives, karrikin and / or beneficial microorganisms (e.g., Rhizobium species, Bradyrhizobium species, Sinorhizobium species, Azotobium species, Glomus species, Macrosporum species, Membranaceus species, Species of the genus Trichoderma, species of Agaricus, species of Puffball, species of Gastrotrichum, species of Scleroderma, species of Rhizoctonia, species of Acinetobacter, species of Arthrobacter, species of Arthrospora, species of Aspergillus, species of Azospirillum, species of Bacillus, species of Burkholderia, species of Candida, species of Monosporus, species of Enterobacter, species of Penicillium, species of Microbacterium, species of Klebsiella, species of Kluyveromyces, species of Microbacterium, species of Mucor, species of Paecilomyces, species of Paenibacillus, species of Penicillium, species of Pseudomonas, species of Serratia, species of Stenotrophomonas, species of Streptomyces, species of Sporangiophora, species of Swaminathan, species of Thiobacillus, species of Spore-forming Torulopsis, species of Vibrio, species of Xanthomonas, species of Xanthomonas, species of Xanthomonas, etc.) and any combination thereof.

[0104] The first fertilizer product may include a urease inhibitor. Examples of urease inhibitors are: N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT, Agrotain), N-(n-propyl)thiophosphoric acid triamide (NPPT), 2-nitrophenylphosphoric acid triamide (2-NPT), further NXPTs known to the skilled person, phenyl phosphorodiamidates (PPD / PPDA), hydroquinone, ammonium thiosulfate, neem, mixtures of NBPT and Duromide (Anvol) and mixtures of NBPT and NPPT (see, for example, US 8,075,659). Such mixtures of NBPT and NPPT may contain NBPT in an amount of 40 to 95% wt.-% and preferably 60 to 80% wt.-%, based on the total amount of active substances. Such mixtures are sold as LIMUS, which is a composition comprising about 16.9 wt.-% NBPT and about 5.6 wt.-% NPPT and about 77.5 wt.-% other ingredients (including solvents and adjuvants).

[0105] Examples of denitrification inhibitors are: pyraclostrobin, azoxystrobin, fenoxastrobin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, fenoxystrobin, fenoxastrobin, fenoxastrobin, pyraclostrobin, syringosterone, fenaminostrobin (= diclofenoxystrobin), flutostrobin, 2-(2-(6-(3-chloro-2-methyl-phenoxy)-5-fluoro-pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-1,2-dioxostyrin, pyraclostrobin, fenoxastrobin, fenoxstro ... methyl)-phenyl)-2-methoxyimino-N-methyl-acetamide, methyl 3-methoxy-2-(2-(N-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropane-carboximidosulfonylmethyl)-phenyl)-acrylate, methyl (2-chloro-5-[1-(3-methylbenzyloxyimino)ethyl]benzyl)carbamate and 2-(2-(3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1-methyl-allylideneaminooxymethyl)-phenyl)-2-methoxyimino-N-methyl-acetamide.

[0106] The (relative) global warming potential (GWP) or CO2 equivalent of a chemical compound is a measure of its relative contribution to the greenhouse effect, i.e. its average warming effect on the Earth's atmosphere over a specific period of time (usually 100 years). It therefore indicates how much a given mass of a greenhouse gas contributes to global warming compared to the same mass of CO2.

[0107] The term "providing" as used herein should be understood broadly in the present context and means any providing, receiving, querying, measuring, calculating, determining, transmitting data, but is not limited thereto. The data may be provided by a user via a user interface, depicted / displayed to a user by a display, and / or received from other devices, queried from other devices, measured from other devices, calculated by other devices, determined by other devices, and / or transmitted by other devices.

[0108] The term "data" as used herein should be understood broadly in the present context and refers to any kind of data. The data may be a single number / value, multiple numbers / values, multiple numbers / values ​​arranged in a list, a 2-dimensional graph, or a 3-dimensional graph, but is not limited thereto.

[0109] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for application equipment used to apply a fertilizer product to agricultural land and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural land, a means for reducing nitrogen losses is provided by nitrogen inhibitors, biological products that increase nitrogen utilization efficiency, slow-release fertilizers and / or controlled-release fertilizers.

[0110] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for an application device for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural field, the first and / or second fertilizer products are NPK, NP and NK fertilizers, ammonium nitrate fertilizers, calcium ammonium nitrate fertilizers, ammonium sulfate nitrate fertilizers, ammonium sulfate fertilizers, ammonium phosphate fertilizers, urea fertilizers, urea formaldehyde fertilizers, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) solution fertilizers, urea sulfur fertilizers, slow release fertilizers and / or controlled release fertilizers.

[0111] In an embodiment of the method for providing control data for application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural field, the nitrogen inhibitor is a urease inhibitor, or a nitrification inhibitor, or a denitrification inhibitor, or a mineralization inhibitor, or a combination thereof.

[0112] In an embodiment of the method for providing control data for an application device for applying a fertilizer product to a farmland and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for a farmland, the nitrification inhibitor is selected from linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, methyl p-coumarate, methyl ferulate, methyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (MHPP), psanthin, brachiolaide, p-benzoquinone sorghumulone, 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)-pyridine (trichloromethylpyridine or N-serve), dicyandiamide (DCD, DIDIN), 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP, ENTEC), 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole hydrochloride (ATC), 1-amido-2-thiourea (ASU), 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine (AM), 2-mercapto-benzothiazole (MBT), 5-ethoxy- 3-trichloromethyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole (clozolin, thiabendazole), 2-sulfathiazole (ST), ammonium thiosulfate (ATU), 3-methylpyrazole (3-MP), 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (DMP), 1,2,4-triazole thiourea (TU), N-(1H-pyrazolyl-methyl)acetamide such as N-((3(5)-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)acetamide and N-( 1H-pyrazolyl-methyl)formamides such as N-((3(5)-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methylformamide, N-(4-chloro-3(5)-methyl-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)-formamide, N-(3(5),4-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)-formamide, neem, neem-based products, cyanamide, melamine, zeolite powder, catechol, benzoquinone, sodium tetraborate, zinc sulfate, and

[0113] a) 2-(3,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)succinic acid and / or 2-(4,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)succinic acid, and / or derivatives thereof, and / or salts thereof;

[0114] b) glycolic acid addition salt of 3,4-dimethylpyrazole (3,4-dimethylpyrazolium glycolate), and / or its isomers, and / or its derivatives;

[0115] c) citric acid addition salt of 3,4-dimethylpyrazole (3,4-dimethylpyrazolium citrate), and / or its isomers, and / or its derivatives;

[0116] d) lactic acid addition salt of 3,4-dimethylpyrazole (3,4-dimethylpyrazolium lactate), and / or its isomers, and / or its derivatives;

[0117] e) mandelic acid addition salt of 3,4-dimethylpyrazole (3,4-dimethylpyrazolium mandelate), and / or its isomers, and / or its derivatives;

[0118] f) 1,2,4-triazole, and / or its derivatives, and / or its salts;

[0119] g) 4-chloro-3-methylpyrazole, and / or its isomers, and / or its derivatives, and / or its salts;

[0120] h) reaction adducts of dicyandiamide, urea and formaldehyde (Centuro), or triazone-formaldehyde-dicyandiamide adducts;

[0121] i) 2-cyano-1-((4-oxo-1,3,5-triazinane-1-yl)methyl)guanidine;

[0122] j) 1-((2-cyanoguanidino)methyl)urea;

[0123] k) 2-cyano-1-((2-cyanoguanidino)methyl)guanidine;

[0124] 1) allylthiourea; and / or

[0125] m) Chlorate.

[0126] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for an application device for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural field, the urease inhibitor is selected from N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT, Agrotain), NBPT, a reaction adduct of urea and formaldehyde (Duromide), a mixture of NBPT and Duromide (Anvol), N-(n-propyl)thiophosphoric acid triamide (NPPT), 2-nitrophenyl phosphoric acid triamide (2-NPT), phenyl phosphorodiamidate (PPD / PPDA), hydroquinone, ammonium thiosulfate, neem, and a mixture of NBPT and NPPT.

[0127] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for an application device for applying a fertilizer product to farmland and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for farmland, the application rate data includes the application amount of the fertilizer product, which is provided in weight units for treating the farmland with the fertilizer product. In this regard, the field data can be used to sum the application rates to obtain the amount of fertilizer product used to fertilize the farmland. In the example, the application rate is provided as a unit of weight per unit of area, and the total application amount can be obtained by multiplying the application rate by the area of ​​the farmland.

[0128] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to farmland and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for farmland, an application rate of a first fertilizer product is lower than an application rate of a second fertilizer product based on reduced nitrogen losses due to means for reducing nitrogen losses.

[0129] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to farmland and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for farmland, an emission calculation model is configured to calculate the CO2 equivalent based on the nitrogen content of the fertilizer product and the application rate of the fertilizer product.

[0130] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural field, an emission calculation model is configured to calculate direct N2O emissions, indirect N2O emissions due to NO3 leaching / loss, and / or indirect N2O emissions due to NH3 losses caused by nitrogen application rates of fertilizers containing nitrogen inhibitors and those not containing nitrogen inhibitors.

[0131] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for an application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural field, an emissions calculation model is configured to calculate direct N2O emissions of a first fertilizer product based on an N2O (emissions) reduction factor compared to N2O emissions of a second fertilizer product.

[0132] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural field, different N2O reduction factors are provided for liquid or solid fertilizers or a combination thereof.

[0133] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for an application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural field, different N2O reduction factors are provided for different climatic conditions and / or different weather conditions and / or different soil conditions / parameters and / or farm management factors.

[0134] If different N2O reduction factors are provided for different climatic conditions, information about the climatic zone in which the farmland is located can be provided to the calculation model, for example, with the aid of field data. In an example, a corresponding climate map can be provided. If different N2O reduction factors are provided for different weather conditions, the corresponding weather data can also be provided to the calculation model.

[0135] If different N2O reduction factors are provided for different soil conditions / parameters, the corresponding soil data may also be provided to the calculation model. Weather data and / or soil data may also be derived from field data of the farmland in question. If different N2O reduction factors are provided for different farm management factors, the corresponding farm management data may also be provided to the calculation model.

[0136] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for an application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural field, an emissions calculation model is configured to calculate indirect N2O emissions due to NO3 leaching of a first fertilizer product based on a NO3 (emissions) reduction factor compared to NO3 emissions of a second fertilizer product.

[0137] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural field, different NO3 reduction factors are provided for liquid or solid fertilizers or a combination thereof.

[0138] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for an application device for applying a fertilizer product to farmland and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for farmland, different NO3 reduction factors are provided for different climatic conditions and / or different weather conditions and / or soil conditions / parameters and / or farm management factors. If different NO3 reduction factors are provided for different climatic conditions, information about the climatic zone in which the farmland is located can be provided to the calculation model, for example, with the aid of field data. In an example, a corresponding climate map can be provided. If different NO3 reduction factors are provided for different weather conditions, the corresponding weather data can also be provided to the calculation model. If different NO3 reduction factors are provided for different soil conditions / parameters, the corresponding soil data can also be provided to the calculation model. The weather data and / or soil data can also be derived from the field data of the farmland in question. If different NO3 reduction factors are provided for different farm management factors, the corresponding farm management data can also be provided to the calculation model.

[0139] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for an application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural field, an emissions calculation model is configured to calculate indirect N2O emissions due to NH3 losses caused by a nitrification inhibitor based on an NH3 increase factor compared to NH3 emissions of a second fertilizer product.

[0140] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for an application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural field, different NH3 increase factors are provided for urea, ammonium-based, nitrate-based and / or ammonium nitrate-based fertilizer products, and organic fertilizers such as manure.

[0141] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for an application device for applying a fertilizer product to farmland and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for farmland, different NH3 increase factors are provided for different climatic conditions and / or different weather conditions and / or soil conditions / parameters and / or farm management factors. If different NH3 increase factors are provided for different climatic conditions, information about the climatic zone in which the farmland is located can be provided to the calculation model, for example, with the aid of field data. In the example, a corresponding climate map can be provided. If different NH3 increase factors are provided for different weather conditions, the corresponding weather data can also be provided to the calculation model. If different NH3 increase factors are provided for different soil conditions / parameters, the corresponding soil data can also be provided to the calculation model. The weather data and / or soil data can also be derived from the field data of the farmland in question. If different NH3 increase factors are provided for different farm management factors, the corresponding farm management data can also be provided to the calculation model.

[0142] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for an application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural field, an emissions calculation model is configured to calculate indirect N2O emissions resulting from reduced NH3 losses due to a urease inhibitor based on an NH3 reduction factor compared to NH3 emissions of a second fertilizer product.

[0143] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for an application equipment for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural field and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for agricultural field, different NH3 reduction factors are provided for urea, ammonium-based, nitrate-based and / or ammonium nitrate-based fertilizer products.

[0144] In an embodiment of a method for providing control data for an application device for applying a fertilizer product to farmland and / or a method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for farmland, different NH3 reduction factors are provided for different climatic conditions and / or soil conditions / parameters and / or farm management factors. If different NH3 reduction factors are provided for different climatic conditions, information about the climatic zone in which the farmland is located can be provided to the calculation model, for example, with the aid of field data. In the example, a corresponding climate map can be provided. If different NH3 reduction factors are provided for different weather conditions, the corresponding weather data can also be provided to the calculation model. If different NH3 reduction factors are provided for different soil conditions / parameters, the corresponding soil data can also be provided to the calculation model. The weather data and / or soil data can also be derived from the field data of the farmland in question. If different NH3 reduction factors are provided for different farm management factors, the corresponding farm management data can also be provided to the calculation model.

[0145] In the present disclosure, N2O emission reduction factors of nitrification inhibitors ranging between -31% and -44% (depending on different growing conditions) were applied, with an average N2O emission reduction factor of minus 38% being applied.

[0146] In the present disclosure, N2O emission reduction factors for urease inhibitors ranging between -3% to -39% (depending on different growing conditions) were applied, wherein an average N2O emission reduction factor of minus 25% was applied.

[0147] In the present disclosure, for nitrification inhibitors, a NO3 emission reduction factor between -7% and -29% (depending on different growing conditions) was applied, wherein an average NO3 emission reduction factor of minus 18% was applied.

[0148] In the present disclosure, N2O emission factors for N leaching between 0% and 2% (depending on different growing conditions) are applied, with an average value of 1.1% being applied.

[0149] In the present disclosure, NH3 emission increase factors using nitrification inhibitors on urea of ​​between +30% to +65% (depending on different growing conditions) were applied, with an average NH3 emission increase factor of 47% being applied.

[0150] In the present disclosure, NH3 emission reduction factors using urease inhibitors on urea ranging from 0% to -94% (depending on different growing conditions) were applied, wherein an average value of -70% was applied.

[0151] It is worth noting that the above-mentioned reduction factors and increase factors depend in particular on the growing conditions. In addition, these factors may further depend on various other factors, such as climate, weather, soil properties / density, etc. In the example, the above-mentioned factors are at least partially personalized for the farmland with the help of experiments and test series. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0152] The present disclosure will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0153] Figure 1 Example embodiments of centralized and distributed computing environments with computing nodes are presented;

[0154] Figure 2 Example embodiments of centralized and distributed computing environments with computing nodes are presented;

[0155] Figure 3 An example embodiment of a distributed computing environment is presented;

[0156] Figure 4Schematic representation of possible N loss reactions in soil;

[0157] Figure 5 The effect of nitrogen inhibitors is schematically shown;

[0158] Figure 6 A flow chart of a method for providing control data to an application device used to apply a fertilizer product to agricultural fields is presented;

[0159] Figure 7 A system for providing control data to application equipment used to apply a fertilizer product to agricultural fields is presented; and

[0160] Figure 8 Different possibilities for receiving and processing field data are shown by way of example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0161] The following examples are merely illustrative of methods, systems, devices, or administration apparatuses for implementing the presently disclosed methods, systems, apparatuses, or administration apparatuses and should not be considered limiting.

[0162] Figures 1 to 3 Different computing environments are shown, centralized, decentralized and distributed computing environments. The methods, devices, computer elements of the present disclosure can be implemented in a decentralized or at least partially decentralized computing environment. In particular, there are different challenges for sharing or exchanging data in an ecosystem with multiple participants. Data sovereignty can be considered a core challenge. It can be defined as the ability of a natural person or legal entity to make full autonomous decisions about its data. To achieve this, specific capability-related aspects can be implemented throughout the chemical value chain, including the requirement for secure and trusted data exchange in the business ecosystem. In particular, the chemical industry requires customized solutions to provide chemical products in a more sustainable way by using digital ecosystems. The provision, determination or processing of data can be achieved by different computing nodes, which can be implemented in centralized, decentralized or distributed computing environments.

[0163] Figure 1An example embodiment of a centralized computing system 20 is shown, which includes a central computing node 21 (solid circle in the middle) and several peripheral computing nodes 21.1 to 21.n (represented as peripheral solid circles). The term "computing system" is broadly defined herein to include one or more computing nodes, node systems, or combinations thereof. The term "computing node" is broadly defined herein and may refer to any device or system including at least one physical tangible processor and / or a physical tangible memory capable of having computer executable instructions executed by a processor thereon. The form of computing nodes is now increasingly diverse. Computing nodes may be, for example, handheld devices, production facilities, sensors, monitoring systems, control systems, appliances, laptops, desktop computers, mainframes, data centers, or even devices that are not traditionally considered to be computing nodes, such as wearable devices (e.g., glasses, watches, etc.). The memory may take any form and depends on the nature and form of the computing node.

[0164] In this example, the peripheral computing nodes 21.1 to 21.n can be connected to a central computing system (or server). In another example, the peripheral computing nodes 21.1 to 21.n can be attached to the central computing node via, for example, a terminal server (not shown). Most functions can be performed by or obtained from the central computing node (also known as a remote centralized location). One peripheral computing node 21.n has been expanded to provide an overview of the components present in the peripheral computing node. The central computing node 21 can include the same components as described with respect to the peripheral computing node 21.n.

[0165] Each computing node 21, 21.1 to 21.n may include at least one hardware processor 22 and memory 24. The term "processor" may refer to any logic circuit configured to perform the basic operations of a computer or system, and / or generally refers to a device configured to perform calculations or logical operations. In particular, a processor or computer processor may be configured to process basic instructions that drive a computer or system. The processor may be a semiconductor-based processor, a quantum processor, or any other type of processor configured to process instructions. As an example, the processor may include at least one arithmetic logic unit ("ALU"), at least one floating point unit ("FPU") (such as a math coprocessor or a digital coprocessor), a plurality of registers (specifically registers configured to provide operands to the ALU and store operation results), and memory (such as L1 and L2 cache memory). In particular, the processor may be a multi-core processor. In particular, the processor may be or may include a central processing unit ("CPU"). The processor may be a ("GPU") graphics processing unit, a ("TPU") tensor processing unit, a ("CISC") complex instruction set computing microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing ("RISC") microprocessor, a very long instruction word ("VLIW") microprocessor, or a processor that implements other instruction sets or multiple processors that implement a combination of instruction sets. The processing device may also be one or more special processing devices, such as an application specific integrated circuit ("ASIC"), a field programmable gate array ("FPGA"), a complex programmable logic device ("CPLD"), a digital signal processor ("DSP"), a network processor, etc. The methods, systems, and devices described herein may be implemented as software in a DSP, a microcontroller, or any other auxiliary processor, or as hardware circuits within an ASIC, CPLD, or FPGA. It should be understood that the term processor may also refer to one or more processing devices, such as a distributed processing device system located on multiple computer systems (e.g., cloud computing), and is not limited to a single device unless otherwise specified.

[0166] Memory 24 may refer to physical system memory, which may be volatile, nonvolatile, or a combination thereof. Memory may include nonvolatile mass storage, such as physical storage media. Memory may be a computer-readable storage medium (such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, non-disk storage (such as solid state disk) or any other physical tangible storage medium, which may be used to store the desired program code device in the form of computer executable instructions or data structures and may be accessed by a computing system. In addition, memory may be a computer-readable medium (also referred to as a transmission medium) that carries computer executable instructions. Further, after reaching various computing system components, the program code device in the form of computer executable instructions or data structures may be automatically transferred from the transmission medium to the storage medium (and vice versa). For example, a computer executable instruction or data structure received by a network or data link may be buffered in a RAM in a network interface module (e.g., "NIC"), and then ultimately transferred to a computing system RAM and / or a storage medium with lower volatility at the computing system. Thus, it should be understood that storage media may be included in computing components that also (or even primarily) utilize transmission media.

[0167] The computing nodes 21, 21.1 to 21.n may include a plurality of structures 26, which are generally referred to as "executable components, executable instructions, computer executable instructions, or instructions." For example, the memory 24 of the computing nodes 21, 21.1 to 21.n may be shown as including the executable components 26. The term "executable component" or any equivalent thereof may be a name for a structure known to one of ordinary skill in the computing arts, which structure may be software, hardware, or a combination thereof, or may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. For example, when implemented in software, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the structure of the executable component includes a software object, routine, method, etc., that is executed on the computing nodes 21, 21.1 to 21.n, regardless of whether such executable components are present in the heap of the computing nodes 21, 21.1 to 21.n or whether the executable components are present on a computer-readable storage medium. In this case, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the structure of the executable component exists on a computer-readable medium so that when interpreted by one or more processors (e.g., by a processor thread) of the computing nodes 21, 21.1 to 21.n, the computing nodes 21, 21.1 to 21n perform functions. Such a structure can be directly computer-readable by the processor (such as the case where the executable component is binary). Alternatively, the structure can be constructed to be interpretable and / or compiled (whether in a single stage or in multiple stages) to generate such binary that can be directly interpreted by the processor. When the term "executable component" is used, this understanding of the example structure of the executable component is completely within the scope of understanding of those skilled in the art of computing. Examples of executable components implemented in hardware include hard-coded or hard-wired logic gates that are implemented exclusively or almost exclusively in hardware, such as in a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other dedicated circuit. In this specification, the terms "component", "agent", "manager", "service", "engine", "module", "virtual machine", etc. are used synonymously with the term "executable component".

[0168] The processor 22 of each computing node 21, 21.1 to 21.n can direct the operation of each computing node 21, 21.1 to 21.n in response to having executed the computer executable instructions constituting the executable components. For example, such computer executable instructions can be embodied on one or more computer readable media forming a computer program product. The computer executable instructions can be stored in the memory 24 of each computing node 21, 21.1 to 21.n. The computer executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data, which, when executed at the processor 21, cause the general computing node 21, 21.1 to 21.n, the special computing node 21, 21.1 to 21.n or the special processing device to perform a specific function or group of functions. Alternatively or additionally, the computer executable instructions can configure the computing node 21, 21.1 to 21.n to perform a specific function or group of functions. The computer executable instructions can be, for example, binary or even instructions that undergo some conversion (such as compilation) before being directly executed by the processor, such as intermediate format instructions, such as assembly language, or even source code.

[0169] Each computing node 21, 21.1 to 21.n may include a communication channel 28, such as a network (on a Figure 1 1 to 21.n and / or modules and / or other electronic devices. When information is transmitted or provided to computing nodes 21, 21.1 to 21.n through a network or another communication connection (hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless), computing nodes 21, 21.1 to 21.n correctly regard the connection as a transmission medium. Transmission media may include networks and / or data links, which may be used to carry computer executable instructions or desired program code devices in the form of data structures and may be accessed by general or special computing nodes 21, 21.1 to 21.n. Combinations of the above may also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0170] The computing nodes 21, 21.1 to 21.n may further include a user interface system 25 for interfacing with a user. The user interface system 25 may include an output mechanism 25A and an input mechanism 25B. The principles described herein are not limited to the precise output mechanism 25A or input mechanism 25B, as this will depend on the nature of the device. However, the output mechanism 25A may include, for example, a display, a speaker, a display, a tactile output, a hologram, etc. Examples of the input mechanism 25B may include, for example, a microphone, a touch screen, a hologram, a camera, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointer input, any type of sensor, etc.

[0171] Figure 2 An example embodiment of a distributed computing environment 30 is shown, in which several computing nodes 21.1 to 21.n are represented as solid circles. Figure 1 Compared to the centralized computing environment 20 shown, the computing nodes 21.1 to 21.n in the distributed computing environment are not connected to the central computing node 21 and are therefore not controlled by the central computing node. Instead, both hardware resources and software resources can be allocated to each individual computing node 21.1 to 21.n (local or remote computing system), and data can be distributed between the various computing nodes 21.1 to 21.n to perform tasks. Therefore, in a distributed system environment, program modules can be located in local and remote memory storage devices. One computing node 21 has been expanded to provide an overview of the components present in the computing node 21. In this example, the computing node 21 includes the components related to Figure 1 The same parts.

[0172] Figure 3An example embodiment of a distributed computing environment 40 is shown. In this specification, "distributed computing" may refer to any computing that utilizes multiple computing resources. Such use may be achieved through virtualization of physical computing resources. An example of distributed computing is cloud computing. "Cloud computing" may refer to a model for implementing on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services). When a cloud computing environment is distributed, the cloud computing environment may be distributed internationally within an organization and / or across multiple organizations. In this example, a distributed cloud computing environment 40 may include the following computing resources: (multiple) mobile devices 42, applications 43, databases 44, (multiple) data storage devices, and servers 46. The cloud computing environment 40 may be deployed as a public cloud 47, a private cloud 48, or a hybrid cloud 49. A private cloud 47 may be owned by an organization, and only members of the organization with appropriate access rights may use the private cloud 48, thereby making the data in the private cloud at least confidential. In contrast, data stored in a public cloud 48 may be open to anyone via the Internet. A hybrid cloud 49 may be a combination of both a private cloud 47 and a public cloud 48 and may have some data that is private while other data may be publicly available.

[0173] Figure 4 Schematic representation of N loss reactions that may occur in soil. Nitrogen (N) fertilizers applied by farmers to their fields include different N forms: urea, ammonium, nitrates, organic N and / or combinations thereof. All these N forms are converted into other N forms in the soil in different transformation processes (hydrolysis, mineralization, nitrification, nitrification). During these transformation processes, N is converted into ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O, NO x ), elemental N (N2) and / or nitrates (NO3). The average emission factors of the IPCC (2019) for these losses are mentioned in the red box. N2O losses from soils due to hydrolysis of urea, nitrification of ammonium and denitrification of nitrates are the so-called direct N2O emissions. Ammonia emitted during urea hydrolysis and nitrates emitted during leaching remain in the system and if they enter the soil again they themselves are nitrified (in the case of ammonia) and denitrified (in the case of nitrates), which also leads to N2O emissions. Such N2O emissions are called indirect N2O emissions.

[0174] Figure 5 The effect of nitrogen inhibitors is schematically shown. These losses can be significantly reduced by applying fertilizer additives (nitrogen inhibitors such as urease inhibitors and nitrification inhibitors) applied with / on / in fertilizers. The average reduction factors for these losses from FEE (2021) are mentioned in the green box.

[0175] In the following, examples of emission calculation models are provided. In Example 1, urea fertilizer as a first fertilizer product and a second fertilizer product are compared, wherein the first fertilizer product includes a nitrification inhibitor as a means for reducing nitrogen losses, and the second fertilizer product does not include the nitrification inhibitor as a means for reducing nitrogen losses. In Example 2, urea fertilizer as a first fertilizer product and a second fertilizer product are compared, wherein the first fertilizer product includes a urease inhibitor as a means for reducing nitrogen losses, and the second fertilizer product does not include the urease inhibitor as a means for reducing nitrogen losses.

[0176] Example 1:

[0177] N amount: 100kg / ha N

[0178] Fertilizer type: Urea (46% N w / w)

[0179] Calculation of CO2-equivalent emissions from urea fertilizers containing nitrification inhibitors (NI) - the primary fertilizer product

[0180] 1.1 Direct N2O emissions

[0181] N2O emission factor: Average 1% of applied N N2O-N (range 0.1% to 2.9% due to soil and climate conditions, crops and fertilizers, e.g. IPCC 2019)

[0182] N2O emission reduction factor for nitrification inhibitors: average minus 38% (range -31% to -44%, e.g., Akiyama et al., 2010)

[0183] → N2O emission factor for NI: 1%*(100-38)% = 0.62% of applied N N2O-N

[0184] →100kg / ha N*0.62%=0.62kg / ha N2O-N*1.57=0.97kg N2O*298 (conversion factor of N2O to CO2 equivalent, Myhre et al., 2013)=290.0kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0185] 1.2 Indirect N2O emissions:

[0186] 1.2.1 Indirect N2O emissions (due to nitrate leaching losses):

[0187] NO3 emission factor: average 12% of applied N NO3-N (range 0% to 24% due to different climatic conditions, e.g. IPCC 2019)

[0188] NO3 emission reduction factor for NI: average minus 18% (range from -7% to -29% due to different growing conditions, e.g. Quemada et al., 2013)

[0189] → NO3 emission factor of NI: 12%*(100-18)%=9.84% of applied N NO3-N

[0190] N2O emission factor from N leaching: 1.1% of leached N N2O-N (range 0% to 2% due to different growing conditions, e.g. IPCC 2019)

[0191] →100kg / ha N*9.84%=9.84kg / ha NO3-N*1.1%=0.108kg / ha N2O-N*1.57=0.17kg / ha N2O*298=50.6kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0192] 1.2.2 Indirect N2O emissions (due to NH3 emissions):

[0193] NH3 emission factor: average 15% of applied N NH3-N (range 0% to 43% due to soil and climate conditions and fertilizers, e.g. IPCC 2019)

[0194] NH3 emission increase factor using nitrification inhibitors on urea: average plus 47% (range +30% to +65%, e.g. Wu et al., 2021)

[0195] → NH3 emission factor using nitrification inhibitor on urea: 15*(100+47)% = 22.05% of N applied NH3-N

[0196] N2O emission factor for NH3 emissions: Average 1% of emitted NH3-N to N2O-N (range 0% to 1.8%, depending on different growing conditions)

[0197] →100kg / ha N*22.05%=22.05kg / ha NH3-N*1%=0.22kg / ha N2O-N*1.57=0.35kg / ha N2O*298=103.2kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0198] Total CO2 equivalent emissions: If 100 kg / ha N is applied in the form of urea containing a nitrification inhibitor, then 290.0 + 50.6 + 103.2 = 443.8 kg / ha CO2 equivalent.

[0199] Calculation of CO2-equivalent emissions from urea fertilizer without nitrification inhibitors - the second fertilizer product

[0200] 1.1 Direct N2O emissions:

[0201] N2O emission factor: Average 1% of applied N N2O-N (range 0.1% to 2.9% due to soil and climate conditions, crops and fertilizers, e.g. IPCC 2019)

[0202] →100kg / ha N*1%=1kg / ha N2O-N*1.57=1.57kg N2O*298 (conversion factor of N2O to CO2 equivalent, Myhre et al., 2013)=467.9kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0203] 1.2 Indirect N2O emissions:

[0204] 1.2.1 Indirect N2O emissions (due to nitrate leaching losses):

[0205] NO3 emission factor: average 12% of applied N NO3-N (range 0% to 24% due to different climatic conditions, e.g. IPCC 2019)

[0206] N2O emission factor from N leaching: average 1.1% N2O-N of leached N (range 0% to 2% due to different growing conditions, e.g. IPCC 2019)

[0207] →100kg / ha N*12%=12kg / ha NO3-N*1.1%=0.13kg / ha N2O-N*1.57=20.72kg / ha N2O*298=61.8kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0208] 1.2.2 Indirect N2O emissions (due to NH3 emissions):

[0209] NH3 emission factor: average 15% of applied N NH3-N (range 0% to 43% due to soil and climate conditions and fertilizers, e.g. IPCC 2019)

[0210] N2O emission factor for NH3 emissions: Average 1% of emitted NH3-N to N2O-N (range 0% to 1.8%, depending on different growing conditions)

[0211] →100kg / ha N*15%=15kg / ha NH3-N*1%=0.15kg / ha N2O-N*1.57=0.24kg / haN2O*298=70.2kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0212] Total CO2 equivalent emissions: If 100 kg / ha N is applied in the form of urea without nitrification inhibitors, then 467.9 + 61.8 + 70.2 = 600 kg / ha CO2 equivalent.

[0213] Total CO2 equivalent savings:

[0214] Total CO2 equivalent emissions for 100 kg / ha N in the form of urea without nitrification inhibitors: 600.00 kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0215] minus

[0216] Total CO2 equivalent emissions for 100 kg / ha N in the form of urea with nitrification inhibitor: 443.80 kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0217] = 156.2 kg / ha CO2 equivalent savings due to the use of nitrification inhibitors

[0218] Example 2:

[0219] N amount: 100kg / ha N

[0220] Fertilizer type: Urea (46% N w / w)

[0221] Calculation of CO2-equivalent emissions from urea fertilizers containing urease inhibitors (UI) - the primary fertilizer product

[0222] 1.1 Direct N2O emissions:

[0223] N2O emission factor: Average 1% of applied N N2O-N (range 0.1% to 2.9% due to soil and climate conditions, crops and fertilizers, e.g. IPCC 2019)

[0224] N2O emission reduction factor for urease inhibitors: minus 25% on average (range -3% to -39% depending on growth conditions, e.g. Cowan et al., 2020)

[0225] → N2O emission factor for urease inhibitors: 1%*(100-25)%=0.75% of N applied N2O-N

[0226] →100kg / ha N*0.75%=0.75kg / ha N2O-N*1.57=1.18kg N2O*298 (conversion factor of N2O to CO2 equivalent, Myhre et al., 2013)=350.9kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0227] 1.2 Indirect N2O emissions (due to NH3 emissions):

[0228] NH3 emission factor: average 15% of applied N NH3-N (range 0% to 43% due to soil and climate conditions and fertilizers, e.g. IPCC 2019)

[0229] NH3 emission reduction factor using urease inhibitors on urea: minus 70% on average (Bittman et al., 2014, ranges from 0% to -94% depending on different growing conditions, e.g. Silva et al., 2017)

[0230] → NH3 emission factor using UI on urea: 15*(100-70)% = 4.5% of N applied NH3-N

[0231] N2O emission factor for NH3 emissions: Average 1% of emitted NH3-N to N2O-N (range 0% to 1.8%, depending on different growing conditions)

[0232] →100kg / ha N*4.5%=4.5kg / ha NH3-N*1%=0.045kg / ha N2O-N*1.57=0.07kg / ha N2O*298=21.1kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0233] Total CO2 equivalent emissions: If 100 kg / ha N is applied in the form of urea containing urease inhibitor, then 350.9 + 21.1 = 372.0 kg / ha CO2 equivalent.

[0234] Calculation of CO2-equivalent emissions of urea without urease inhibitors

[0235] 1.1 Direct N2O emissions:

[0236] N2O emission factor: Average 1% of applied N N2O-N (range 0.1% to 2.9% due to soil and climate conditions, crops and fertilizers, e.g. IPCC 2019)

[0237] →100kg / ha N*1%=1kg / ha N2O-N*1.57=1.57kg N2O*298 (conversion factor of N2O to CO2 equivalent, Myhre et al., 2013)=467.9kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0238] 1.2 Indirect N2O emissions (due to NH3 emissions):

[0239] NH3 emission factor: average 15% of applied N NH3-N (range 0% to 43% due to soil and climate conditions and fertilizers, e.g. IPCC 2019)

[0240] N2O emission factor for NH3 emissions: Average 1% of emitted NH3-N to N2O-N (range 0% to 1.8%, depending on different growing conditions)

[0241] →100kg / ha N*15%=15kg / ha NH3-N*1%=0.15kg / ha N2O-N*1.57=0.24kg / haN2O*298=70.2kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0242] Total CO2 equivalent emissions: If 100 kg / ha N is applied in the form of urea without urease inhibitor, then 467.9 + 70.2 = 538.10 kg / ha CO2 equivalent.

[0243] Total CO2 equivalent savings:

[0244] Total CO2 equivalent emissions per 100 kg / ha N in the form of urea without urease inhibitors: 538.10 kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0245] minus

[0246] Total CO2 equivalent emissions in the form of 100 kg / ha N in the form of urea with urease inhibitor: 372.00 kg / ha CO2 equivalent

[0247] = 166.1 kg / ha CO2 equivalent savings due to the use of urease inhibitors

[0248] Figure 6A computer-implemented method for providing control data for an application device for applying a fertilizer product to a farmland is presented. In a first step, field data for the farmland is provided. In another step, first fertilizer product data is provided, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product including a means for reducing nitrogen losses. In a next step, second fertilizer product data is provided, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include a means for reducing nitrogen losses. Subsequently, application rate data for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product are provided, the application rate data including application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the farmland based on the provided field data. As a next step, an emission calculation model is provided, the emission calculation model being configured to calculate the CO2 equivalent of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and the application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product. Then, CO2 equivalent data for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product are provided using the emission calculation model, for example, as illustrated in Examples 1 and 2 above. Based on these CO2 equivalent data, the CO2 equivalent difference between applying the first fertilizer product and applying the second fertilizer product based on the CO2 equivalent data, as also illustrated in Examples 1 and 2 above. A CO2 equivalent savings value can be provided by the farmer, for example as a target value. Finally, based on the savings value, it can be objectively decided whether the first fertilizer product or the second fertilizer product should be applied to a particular field, and therefore whether the use of means for reducing nitrogen losses is objectively reasonable.

[0249] Figure 7A system 10 for providing control data for an application device for applying fertilizer products to farmland is shown. The system includes: a providing unit 11 configured to provide field data of the farmland; another providing unit 12 configured to provide first fertilizer product data, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product including a means for reducing nitrogen loss; another providing unit 13 configured to provide second fertilizer product data, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include a means for reducing nitrogen loss; another providing unit 14 configured to provide application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data including application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the farmland based on the field data; another providing unit 15 configured to provide an emission calculation model, the emission calculation model being configured to calculate an emission rate based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product data. an additional providing unit 16 configured to calculate the CO2 equivalent of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the application rate data of the two fertilizer products; an additional providing unit 16 configured to provide the CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product using an emission calculation model; an additional providing unit 17 configured to provide the CO2 equivalent difference between the application of the first fertilizer product and the application of the second fertilizer product based on the CO2 equivalent data; an additional providing unit 18 configured to provide a predetermined CO2 equivalent saving value; an additional providing unit 19 configured to perform the following operations: if the CO2 equivalent difference is higher than or equal to the CO2 equivalent saving value, provide control data for the application equipment used to apply the first fertilizer product to the farmland; and if the CO2 equivalent difference is lower than the CO2 equivalent saving value, provide control data for the application equipment used to apply the second fertilizer product to the farmland.

[0250] Figure 8Different possibilities for receiving and processing field data are shown exemplarily. For example, field data can be obtained by all kinds of agricultural equipment 300 (e.g., tractor 300) by recording the application rate during application, as a so-called application map. Such agricultural equipment can also include sensors (e.g., optical sensors, cameras, infrared sensors, soil sensors, etc.) to provide, for example, fertilizer / nitrogen distribution maps. During the harvesting process, the yield (e.g., in the form of biomass) can also be recorded by the harvesting vehicle 310. In addition, by taking an image of the field or a part thereof, a corresponding map / data can be provided by a land-based and / or air-flying drone 320. Finally, a georeferenced visual assessment 330 can also be performed, and the field data is also processed. The field data collected in this way can then be merged in a computing device 340, in which the data can be transmitted and calculated, for example, via any wireless link, a cloud application 350 and / or a work platform 360, wherein the field data can also be processed completely or partially in the cloud application 350 and / or the work platform 360 (e.g., by cloud computing).

[0251] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to computer program elements configured to perform the steps of the above-described method. Thus, the computer program elements may be stored on a computing unit of a computing device, which may also be part of an embodiment. The computing unit may be configured to perform or induce the steps of the above-described method. In addition, it may also be configured to operate a component of the above-described system. The computing unit may be configured to automatically operate and / or execute user commands. The computing unit may include a data processor. The computer program may be loaded into a working memory of the data processor. Thus, the data processor may be equipped to perform the method according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. This exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure covers both computer programs that use the present disclosure from the outset and computer programs that convert existing programs into programs that use the present disclosure by updating. In addition, the computer program elements may be able to provide all necessary steps to complete the program of the exemplary embodiment of the above-described method. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium, such as a CD-ROM, a USB stick, a downloadable executable medium, or the like, is proposed, wherein a computer program element is stored on the computer-readable medium, which has been described in the previous section. The computer program may be stored and / or distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or solid-state medium provided with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. However, the computer program may also be presented via a network such as the World Wide Web and may be downloaded from such a network into a working memory of a data processor. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a medium for making a computer program element available for download is provided, the computer program element being arranged for performing a method according to one of the aforementioned embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0252] The present disclosure is also described in conjunction with preferred embodiments as examples. However, other variations may be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art and those practicing the claimed invention through a study of the drawings, the present disclosure, and the claims. It is particularly noteworthy that any of the steps presented (e.g., see the method mentioned on page 6) may be performed in any order, i.e., the present invention is not limited to a particular order of these steps. In addition, it is not required that different steps be performed somewhere or at a certain node in the distributed system, i.e., each step may be performed at different nodes using different devices / data processing units.

[0253] In the claims and the description, "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several entities or items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantageous embodiment.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing control data to an application device for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural fields, the method comprising: Providing field data for farmland; providing first fertilizer product data, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product including a means for reducing nitrogen losses; providing second fertilizer product data, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include a means for reducing nitrogen losses; providing application rate data for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the agricultural field based on the provided field data; providing an emission calculation model configured to calculate CO2 equivalents of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product; Providing CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product using the emission calculation model; providing a CO2 equivalent difference between applying the first fertilizer product and applying the second fertilizer product based on the CO2 equivalent data; Provides a predetermined CO2 equivalent savings value; If the CO2 equivalent difference is higher than or equal to the CO2 equivalent savings value, control data is provided for application equipment used to apply the first fertilizer product to the farmland; and if the CO2 equivalent difference is lower than the CO2 equivalent savings value, control data is provided for application equipment used to apply the second fertilizer product to the farmland.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein: These means for reducing nitrogen losses are provided by nitrogen inhibitors, biological products that increase nitrogen use efficiency, slow-release fertilizers, and / or controlled-release fertilizers.

3. A computer-implemented method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The emissions calculation model is configured to calculate CO2 equivalents based on the amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer products and the application rates.

4. A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The emission calculation model is configured to calculate direct N2O emissions, indirect N2O emissions due to NO3 leaching / loss, and / or indirect N2O emissions due to NH3 losses caused by nitrogen application rates of fertilizers containing nitrogen inhibitors and those without nitrogen inhibitors.

5. A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The emissions calculation model is configured to calculate direct N2O emissions of the first fertilizer product based on an N2O reduction factor compared to N2O emissions of the second fertilizer product.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein: For different first fertilizer products, different N2O reduction factors are provided.

7. A computer-implemented method according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein: For different climatic conditions and / or weather conditions and / or soil conditions / parameters and / or farm management factors, different N2O reduction factors are provided.

8. A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The emissions calculation model is configured to calculate indirect N2O emissions due to NO3 leaching of the first fertilizer product based on a NO3 reduction factor compared to NO3 emissions of the second fertilizer product.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein: For different first fertilizer products, different NO3 reduction factors are provided; and / or wherein different NO3 reduction factors are provided for different climatic conditions and / or weather conditions and / or soil conditions / parameters and / or farm management factors.

10. A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The emission calculation model is configured to calculate indirect N2O emissions due to NH3 losses caused by the nitrogen inhibitor based on an NH3 reduction or increase factor compared to NH3 emissions of the second fertilizer product.

11. A computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein: Different reduction and increase factors are provided for different fertilization products and / or climate conditions and / or weather conditions and / or soil conditions / parameters and / or farm management factors.

12. An application device for applying a fertilizer product to farmland, wherein: The control data of the application device are provided by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. An apparatus for providing control data to an application device for applying a fertilizer product to agricultural fields, the apparatus comprising: One or more computing nodes; and one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions thereon, which, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, cause the apparatus to perform the following steps: Providing field data for farmland; providing first fertilizer product data, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product including a means for reducing nitrogen losses; providing second fertilizer product data, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include a means for reducing nitrogen losses; providing application rate data for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the agricultural field based on the field data; providing an emission calculation model configured to calculate CO2 equivalents of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product; Providing CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product using the emission calculation model; providing a CO2 equivalent difference between applying the first fertilizer product and applying the second fertilizer product based on the CO2 equivalent data; Provides a predetermined CO2 equivalent savings value; If the CO2 equivalent difference is higher than or equal to the CO2 equivalent savings value, control data is provided for application equipment used to apply the first fertilizer product to the farmland; and if the CO2 equivalent difference is lower than the CO2 equivalent savings value, control data is provided for application equipment used to apply the second fertilizer product to the farmland.

14. Use of field data, fertilizer product data, application rate data and / or an emission calculation model in a computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and / or in a device according to claim 13.

15. A computer program element having instructions which, when executed on a computing device of a computing environment, are configured to perform the steps of the computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in an apparatus according to claim 13.

16. A computer-implemented method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for use on agricultural fields, the method comprising: Providing field data for farmland; providing first fertilizer product data, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product including a means for reducing nitrogen losses; providing second fertilizer product data, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include a means for reducing nitrogen losses; providing application rate data for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the agricultural field based on the provided field data; providing an emission calculation model configured to calculate CO2 equivalents of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product; The emission calculation model is used to provide CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product.

17. A system for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for use on farmland, the system comprising: a providing unit configured to provide field data of a farmland; a further providing unit configured to provide first fertilizer product data, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product comprising means for reducing nitrogen losses; a further providing unit configured to provide second fertilizer product data, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include means for reducing nitrogen losses; a further providing unit configured to provide application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the agricultural field based on the provided field data; a further providing unit configured to provide an emission calculation model, the emission calculation model being configured to calculate the CO2 equivalent of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product; A further providing unit is configured to provide CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product using the emission calculation model.

18. An apparatus for providing CO2 equivalent data of a fertilizer product for use on farmland, the apparatus comprising: One or more computing nodes; and one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions thereon, which, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, cause the apparatus to perform the following steps: Providing field data for farmland; providing first fertilizer product data, wherein the first fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product including a means for reducing nitrogen losses; providing second fertilizer product data, wherein the second fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product that does not include a means for reducing nitrogen losses; providing application rate data for the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising application rates for applying the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product to the agricultural field based on the provided field data; providing an emission calculation model configured to calculate CO2 equivalents of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product based on the first fertilizer product data and the second fertilizer product data and application rate data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product; The emission calculation model is used to provide CO2 equivalent data of the first fertilizer product and the second fertilizer product.

19. A computer program element having instructions, which, when executed on a computing device in a computing environment, is configured to execute the steps of the computer-implemented method for providing CO2 equivalent data for fertilizer products for farmland according to claim 16 in a system for providing CO2 equivalent data for fertilizer products for farmland according to claim 17 or in an apparatus for providing CO2 equivalent data for fertilizer products for farmland according to claim 18.

20. A computer-implemented method for providing CO2 equivalent data for a fertilizer product for use on agricultural fields, the method comprising: Providing field data for farmland; providing fertilizer product data, wherein the fertilizer product data relates to a nitrogen fertilizer product including a means for reducing nitrogen losses; providing application rate data of the fertilizer product, the application rate data comprising an application rate for applying the fertilizer product to the farmland based on the provided field data; applying the fertilizer product to the farmland based on the application rate data; providing an emission calculation model configured to calculate the CO2 equivalent of the fertilizer product based on the fertilizer product data and the application rate data of the fertilizer product; The emission calculation model is used to provide CO2 equivalent data of the fertilizer product; Optionally, the CO2 equivalent data is provided to a Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system.

21. Use of CO2 equivalent data provided by the computer-implemented method for providing CO2 equivalent data for fertilizer products for agricultural fields according to claim 16 or 20 in a management system for producing fertilization products.

22. Use of CO2 equivalent data provided by the computer implemented method for providing CO2 equivalent data according to claim 16 or 20 in a measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) system.

23. A computer program element having instructions which, when executed on a computing device of a computing environment, are configured to perform the steps of a computer-implemented method according to claim 16 or 20.

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