Nutrient supply amount estimation method, nutrient supply body utilization method, program, and estimation system

Abstract

To provide a nutrition supply amount estimation method and its related technology for simply estimating a nutrition supply amount from a nutrition supply body.SOLUTION: A nutrition supply amount estimation method for estimating an amount of nutrition that is supplied from a nutrition supply body and in a form available to plants includes a nutrition supply amount estimation step of referring to a parameter group for estimating a nutrition supply amount to estimate the nutrition supply amount at any point of time, the parameter group including a first parameter showing the nutrition supply amount at a referential point of time, a second parameter showing the maximum change amount of the nutrition supply amount, a third parameter showing a shape of an expression representing transition of the nutrition supply amount, and a fourth parameter showing a velocity constant in change of the nutrition supply amount.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nutrient supply amount estimation method, a nutrient supplier utilization method, a program, and an estimation system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, many agricultural support services, such as applications, have been developed. In the case of cultivation support services, among agricultural support services, understanding the amount of nutrients supplied to crops from nutrient suppliers such as soil, organic matter, and fertilizer is often important for promoting smart agriculture, which precisely applies fertilizer and predicts and controls crop growth. To date, technology for estimating the amount of nutrients supplied from nutrient suppliers has been researched.

[0003] As an example of such a technique, Non-Patent Document 1 describes an analytical method that uses the difference between two first-order reaction equations, based on a model in which the mineralization and organification of nitrogen contained in soil proceed in parallel. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Eiji Ishibashi, Hiroko Fujiwara (Shiba), Takenori Washio, Masaya Oya, "Proposal of a new analytical method for the reaction kinetics method in estimating the nitrogen mineralization rate from organic materials such as compost", Japanese Journal of Soil and Plant Nutrition Science, Vol. 85, No. 4, 2014, p. 362-368 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When the model for estimating the amount of nutrients supplied from a nutrient supplier is made more complex and the number of parameters is increased, the estimated result of the amount of nutrients supplied matches well with the experimental measurement results, but it tends to be difficult to set the parameter values ​​to be constant. The technology described in Non-Patent Document 1 is based on a model in which a maximum of seven parameters are set, so a lot of data is required to set the parameters for each nutrient supplier. In addition, since it is time-consuming to obtain the data, it has not been widely used in production sites. Therefore, a technology for easily estimating the amount of nutrients supplied from a nutrient supplier is required.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a nutrient supply estimation method and related technologies that easily estimate the amount of nutrient supply from a nutrient supplier. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A nutrient supply estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a nutrient supply estimation method for estimating the amount of nutrients supplied from a nutrient supplier and in a form that can be utilized by a plant, and includes a nutrient supply estimation step of estimating the nutrient supply amount at any point in time by referring to a group of parameters for estimating the nutrient supply amount, wherein the group of parameters includes a first parameter indicating the nutrient supply amount at a reference point in time, a second parameter indicating the maximum amount of change in the nutrient supply amount, a third parameter indicating the shape of an equation showing the progression of the nutrient supply amount, and a fourth parameter indicating a rate constant for the change in the nutrient supply amount.

[0008] A method for using a nutrient supplier according to one embodiment of the present invention includes estimating the state of the nutrient supplier by referring to at least one of (i) the nutrient supply amount estimated by the nutrient supply amount estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (ii) at least one parameter included in the group of parameters used to estimate the nutrient supply amount.

[0009] A program according to one embodiment of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute a nutrient supply estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention or a nutrient supplier utilization method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] An estimation system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a database that stores, in association with a nutrient supplier, at least one of (i) a nutrient supply amount estimated by a nutrient supply amount estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention, (ii) a state of a nutrient supplier estimated by a nutrient supplier utilization method according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (iii) any one of the values ​​of parameters included in the parameter group used to estimate the nutrient supply amount, and an estimation device that estimates the nutrient supply amount of a test nutrient supplier by referring to the data stored in the database. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a nutrient supply amount estimation method for easily estimating the amount of nutrient supply from a nutrient supplier, and related techniques thereof. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012]

Figure 1

[0013] The present inventors have found that the amount of nutrient supply at any time can be easily estimated by using specific parameters set with reference to the state of the nutrient supplier. Furthermore, the present inventors have conducted extensive research and further found that each of the specific parameters is strongly related to the state of the nutrient supplier, and that by referring to the similarity between the state of one nutrient supplier and the state of another nutrient supplier, the parameters of the other nutrient supplier can be estimated, thus completing the present invention.

[0014] [Nutrient supply amount estimation method] A nutrient supply estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a nutrient supply estimation method for estimating the amount of nutrients supplied from a nutrient supplier and in a form that can be utilized by a plant, and includes a nutrient supply estimation step of estimating the nutrient supply amount at any point in time by referring to a group of parameters for estimating the nutrient supply amount, the group of parameters including a first parameter indicating the nutrient supply amount at a reference point in time, a second parameter indicating the maximum change in the nutrient supply amount, a third parameter indicating the shape of an equation showing the progression of the nutrient supply amount, and a fourth parameter indicating a rate constant for the change in the nutrient supply amount.

[0015] [Nutrition] As used herein, the term "nutrient" refers to a component that can be absorbed by a plant through the roots and can have a beneficial effect on the growth of the plant, or a precursor of the component, or a combination thereof. Examples of nutrients include, but are not limited to, nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, iron, boron, manganese, zinc, copper, nickel, and molybdenum, and any combination thereof. In addition, the nutrient may be one type alone, or any combination of two or more types. The nutrient to be estimated may be appropriately selected from the desired types.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the nutrients to be estimated are in a form that can be utilized by plants. The form that can be utilized by plants means a form that can be absorbed by the plant through the roots. Even if a nutrient is present in an area outside the root zone of a plant that cannot be immediately absorbed by the plant, if the plant can absorb the nutrient when the plant's roots approach the nutrient, the nutrient is also a nutrient to be estimated. Examples of forms that can be utilized by plants include: nitrogen, such as inorganic exchangeable nitrogen such as ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen, and some organic nitrogen with small molecular weight such as amino acid form; potassium, such as exchangeable potassium containing potassium ions; and phosphorus, such as available phosphorus, such as soluble phosphorus containing phosphate ions.

[0017] [Nutrient supply body] In one embodiment of the present invention, the nutrients to be estimated are supplied from a nutrient supplier. As used herein, the term "nutrient supplier" refers to an object that can be a main body that supplies nutrients to plants. The supply of nutrients from the nutrient supplier to plants can be achieved by the components contained in the nutrient supplier being appropriately subjected to physical changes such as dissolution, and chemical changes such as decomposition or synthesis mediated by other substances, microorganisms, or heat, and then becoming in a form that can be used by the plant.

[0018] The "nutrients" supplied by the nutrient supplier include both "nutrients" in a form that can be used by plants and "nutrients" that can become a form that can be used by plants. That is, the form of the nutrients supplied by the nutrient supplier may be (i) the form that can be used by plants itself, or (ii) a form that cannot be used by plants as it is but can be converted into a form that can be used by plants through a change in state such as decomposition.

[0019] Examples of nutrient supplies include soil, organic matter, fertilizers and root zone supports, and any combination thereof. Nutrient supplies may be solid or liquid.

[0020] Examples of soils include, but are not limited to: minerals such as rock, gravel, sand, silt, and clay; soil and mud; organic matter contained in soil, i.e., soil organic matter; and complexes of organic matter and inorganic matter contained in soil, i.e., organo-mineral complexes.

[0021] Examples of organic matter include, but are not limited to, manure, animal waste, plant waste and compost thereof.

[0022] Specific examples of fertilizers include, but are not limited to, inorganic fertilizers and organic fertilizers when classified based on ingredients; nitrogen fertilizers, potassium fertilizers, phosphate fertilizers, magnesium fertilizers, and calcium fertilizers when classified based on the nutrients they supply; and fast-release fertilizers and slow-release fertilizers when classified based on the speed at which they supply nutrients (excluding coated urea fertilizers).

[0023] A root zone support refers to an object that supports the root zone of a plant. Specific examples of root zone supports include, but are not limited to, sponges, rock wool, coconut shells, and water.

[0024] As used herein, the term "nutrient supply amount" refers to the amount of nutrients supplied from a nutrient supplier. The amount may be, but is not limited to, a time-dependent integrated amount, a time-dependent differential amount, or a differential amount. The amount may be selected as desired. In addition, depending on the selected type, the mathematical processing described below may be modified. Such modifications are known to those skilled in the art. In the following, as a non-limiting example, a case where a time-dependent integrated amount is selected as the nutrient supply amount will be described.

[0025] The nutrient supply amount estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention may be a method for mathematically estimating the amount of nutrient supply by inputting a time value as a variable and optionally further inputting a temperature value as a variable into an equation including a group of parameters described below as constants. The number of types of parameters included in the group of parameters is small, at a minimum four. Furthermore, each of the multiple parameters is independently related to one or more of the characteristics possessed by the nutrient supplier. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the phenomenon that when one of the multiple parameters changes, the estimated value finally calculated is maintained by changing the other parameters, i.e., interference between different parameters, is prevented or reduced. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, each parameter can be handled independently. Specifically, each parameter can be estimated independently by referring to the similarity between the states of the multiple nutrient suppliers. Therefore, even if it is difficult to set each parameter by an experimental method in all nutrient suppliers, each parameter can be set by estimation, and then the amount of nutrient supply can be estimated.

[0026] In addition, when the term "parameter" is used simply in this specification, unless otherwise specified, the term means at least one of "parameter," "parameter value," and "information representing the parameter value."

[0027] Below, non-limiting characteristics of each parameter included in the parameter group referenced in the nutrient supply amount estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. For the sake of simplicity, the "nutrient supply amount" may be abbreviated to "supply amount". Similarly, the "nutrient supplier" may be abbreviated to "supplier".

[0028] [First parameter] The first parameter, n i indicates the amount of nutrients supplied at a reference time point. In one embodiment of the present invention, the reference time point may be appropriately selected. Examples of the reference time point include, but are not limited to, the time point at which fertilizer is applied, and a specific period before or after the time point.

[0029] As an example, the first parameter n i can be established using an experimental method involving collection of the feed and / or plant and chemical analysis of the components they contain. If there are multiple types of feed, chemical analysis of the components may be performed for each type. The experimental method may be any method known in the art. Examples of experimental methods include, but are not limited to, methods that can measure the amount of inorganic nitrogen or the amount of ammonium nitrogen. As another example, the first parameter n i can be set using a representative value (average value, etc.) for each type of nutrient supplier based on past knowledge. In addition, when applying fertilizer, the first parameter n i may be considered as the amount of nutrient in the fertilizer administered.

[0030] [Second parameter] The second parameter N indicates the maximum change amount of the nutrient supply amount. The maximum change amount means the difference between the supply amount at a time point when sufficient time has elapsed since the reference time point and the supply amount at the reference time point. Generally, the supply amount can change due to chemical reactions and physical state changes. However, when there is no addition or decrease of components and no change in the state of the field due to external factors, the supply amount can reach a steady state at a time point when sufficient time has elapsed. Therefore, the second parameter N can correspond to the change amount of the supply amount from the reference time point to the time point when the steady state is reached.

[0031] As an example, the second parameter N can be set by determining the types and amounts of the components contained in the donor using experimental methods known in the art. As another example, the second parameter N can be set by referring to the amount of the donor applied.

[0032] 〔Third Parameter〕 The third parameter d indicates the shape of the formula expressing the transition of the nutrient supply amount. In one embodiment of the present invention, the formula used to estimate the supply amount expresses the transition of the supply amount with the value of time as a variable. In one embodiment of the present invention, the shape of this formula is not limited to one specific type, and may have the characteristics of multiple types of mathematical formulas in combination. The third parameter d is related to the determination of the shape of the formula. As a typical example, the shape of the formula is an integral first-order reaction rate formula, a sigmoid formula, or a formula obtained by transforming these. Examples of the transformation style include both an equation that interpolates between an integral first-order reaction rate formula and a sigmoid formula, and an equation that extrapolates these. An equation that interpolates between these two formulas refers to the fact that at least one parameter included in the formula takes a predetermined value, and when the shape of the formula approximates each of the shapes of these two formulas, the parameter can be set to a value included between two predetermined values ​​corresponding to each of the shapes of these two formulas. In addition, the expression "an equation that extrapolates these two equations" refers to the fact that, when at least one of the parameters included in the equation takes a predetermined value, and the shape of the equation approximates each of the shapes of these two equations, the parameter can be set to a value that is not included between the two predetermined values ​​corresponding to each of the shapes of these two equations. The third parameter d can determine the type and degree of the transformation.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the formula used to mathematically estimate the supply amount is an integral first-order reaction rate formula, a sigmoid formula, or a formula obtained by a modification of these. The difference in the formula used is considered to be due to the complexity of the reaction system of the reaction (such as dissolution and decomposition) in which the supplier supplies nutrients. For example, the type of supplier is not limited to one type, but may be two or more types. In general, the fewer the types of supplier, the simpler the reaction system becomes, and the reaction rate formula of the reaction becomes closer to the first-order reaction rate formula. For this reason, the formula expressing the transition of the supply amount shows a higher similarity to the integral first-order reaction rate formula with the time value as a variable. Conversely, the more the types of supplier, the more complex the reaction system becomes, and the reaction rate formula of the reaction becomes closer to the high-order reaction rate formula. For this reason, the formula expressing the transition of the supply amount shows a higher similarity to the sigmoid formula with the time value as a variable.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the formula used to mathematically estimate the supply amount includes a third parameter d, so that the formula reflects the complexity of the reaction system. Therefore, by using the formula, the nutrient supply amount estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention can estimate the supply amount for a wide variety of nutrients and supplies, regardless of the type and combination of supplies.

[0035] [Fourth parameter] The fourth parameter k indicates the rate constant in the change of the nutrient supply amount. The rate constant in the change of the supply amount means the rate constant of the reaction in which the supplier supplies the nutrient. Typically, the faster the reaction in which the supplier supplies the nutrient, the larger the fourth parameter k can be.

[0036] The fourth parameter k may be a parameter that varies depending on the temperature of the supply body. In the case where the supply body temperature can vary, the fourth parameter k may be a parameter that varies depending on the temperature of the supply body. sand the sixth parameter E. By calculating the fourth parameter k in this manner, the nutrient supply amount estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention can estimate the nutrient supply amount in response to a temperature change.

[0037] That is, in the method for estimating the amount of nutrient supply according to one embodiment of the present invention, the fourth parameter k is a fifth parameter k indicating a rate constant in the change in the amount of nutrient supply at a reference temperature. s and a sixth parameter E indicating the temperature dependency of the rate constant.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of the supply body can be set appropriately and may be variable during the period including the time when the estimation is performed. The temperature of the supply body is preferably 5°C to 40°C. In this way, by including a lower temperature region in the temperature range, the sixth parameter E described later more strongly indicates the state of the supply body, making it easier to estimate the sixth parameter E and improving the estimation accuracy of the supply amount.

[0039] [5th ​​parameter] The fifth parameter, k s represents the rate constant of the change in the amount of nutrient supply at a reference temperature. In one embodiment of the present invention, the reference temperature may be appropriately selected. The reference temperature may be, but is not limited to, 5°C, 10°C, 15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, or 40°C.

[0040] [Sixth parameter] The sixth parameter E indicates the temperature dependence of the rate constant. In one embodiment of the present invention, the sixth parameter E is considered to be a value corresponding to the activation energy of the rate-determining reaction in the reaction system in which the supplier supplies nutrients. When there are many types of suppliers, or when the reaction in which the supplier supplies nutrients is a multi-step reaction, the reaction system becomes more complicated. However, in the reaction system, the reaction rate of the rate-determining reaction is dominant in the overall reaction rate, so the temperature dependence of the overall reaction rate is considered to be dominated by the temperature dependence of the rate-determining reaction, i.e., the activation energy of the rate-determining reaction.

[0041] [Alternative parameters] In one embodiment of the present invention, the parameters included in the parameter set are not limited to the above-mentioned set of the first, second, third, and fourth parameters, and the additional fifth and sixth parameters. The parameter set may include a parameter obtained by converting at least one of the above-mentioned parameters using a mathematical conversion formula as a substitute for the at least one parameter.

[0042] That is, the parameter group may include a parameter obtained by converting at least one parameter included in the parameter group using a mathematical conversion formula as a substitute for at least one parameter included in the parameter group. A user who performs the nutrient supply amount estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention can appropriately convert or add characteristics indicated by the obtained substitute parameter by appropriately selecting a mathematical conversion formula. This allows the user to easily understand or intuitively perceive the outline of the state and characteristics of the supply body. This makes it easy to transmit information indicating the characteristics of the supply body between, for example, the sender of information about the supply body and the user, and such information can be used as an index for the distribution of the supply body. An example of a mathematical conversion formula for obtaining such a substitute parameter will be described later.

[0043] A non-limiting configuration of each step that may be included in the nutrient supply estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0044] [Parameter setting process] The nutrient supply amount estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a parameter setting step before the nutrient supply amount estimation step described later. The parameter setting step may be a step of setting at least one parameter included in the parameter group.

[0045] Examples of the method of setting at least one parameter include, but are not limited to, (i) a method in which a user sets a parameter by referring to a measured supply amount; and (ii) a method in which a user sets a parameter by referring to parameters stored in any database. Each of the parameters may be set by the same method or by different methods.

[0046] Among the methods for setting parameters, (i) a method in which a user sets parameters by referring to a measured supply amount will be described. Hereinafter, this method may be abbreviated as "method (i)".

[0047] Method (i) may be an experimental method in which the amount of feed is measured by collecting the feed and analyzing the components it contains. The collection and analysis may be appropriately selected from methods known in the art.

[0048] In the method (i), the measured supply amount is input to an equation including the group of parameters as constants, and the parameters can be set by fitting the parameters. The fitting can be achieved by a method known in the art. In the fitting, when all the parameters included in the group of parameters are unknown, all of these parameters may be fitted. In addition, in the fitting, when any one or more of the parameters included in the group of parameters are known, the values ​​of the known parameters may be fixed, and only the remaining unknown parameters may be fitted.

[0049] Incidentally, the fitting conditions can be set to conditions known to those skilled in the art. For example, when the fitting result diverges, or there are multiple fitting results or no fitting results, fitting may be performed by setting any initial value of the parameters to a predetermined constant, such as 0 or 1.

[0050] Among the methods for setting parameters, (ii) a method in which a user refers to parameters stored in an arbitrary database and sets the parameters will be described. Hereinafter, this method may be abbreviated as "method (ii)".

[0051] Method (ii) can be a method in which a user selects parameters stored in an arbitrary database and sets the parameters as they are or after performing appropriate mathematical conversion. Examples of the database include a computer-readable storage medium and a generally browsable medium such as the Internet.

[0052] Alternatively, in method (ii), information for selecting the stored parameters may be input by the user, and then the parameters automatically selected based on the input information may be set as the parameters. As an example, the user may input information regarding the state of the field as information for selecting the stored parameters, and then the corresponding parameters may be automatically called up with reference to the input information.

[0053] 〔Parameter Estimation Step〕 In addition to the method of setting the parameters as described above, the parameters may be estimated as shown below. That is, the nutrient supply amount estimation method according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a parameter estimation step of estimating at least one parameter included in the parameter group in at least one of other nutrient suppliers with reference to the similarity between the state of one nutrient supplier and the state of at least one of other nutrient suppliers, and at least one parameter included in the parameter group in the one nutrient supplier, before the nutrient supply amount estimation step.

[0054] Each of the parameters included in the parameter group is strongly related to the state of the nutrient supplier. Therefore, when another nutrient supplier is the subject of the nutrient supply amount estimation method, the parameters in the other nutrient supplier can be set by estimation without experimental methods by referring to the similarity between the state of the one nutrient supplier and the state of the other nutrient supplier, which is the subject, and the known parameters set in the one nutrient supplier.

[0055] In the parameter estimation step, the number of nutrient suppliers used as references may be three or more in total. For example, two or more nutrient suppliers with known parameters and one nutrient supplier with unknown parameters may be used as references to estimate the unknown parameters.

[0056] In the parameter estimation step, the user can obtain known parameters set in a nutrient supplier using any method. As an example, the user can obtain known parameters stored in a computer-readable storage medium or described in a publicly accessible medium such as the Internet.

[0057] Examples of the state of the nutrient supplier referred to in the parameter estimation step include: the type of nutrient supplier; the components and amounts or contents of the nutrient supplier; the components other than the nutrient supplier contained in the field in which the nutrient supplier is contained; the type of soil in the field; the moisture conditions in the field; and the activity of microorganisms present in the field. The user may obtain information on the state of one nutrient supplier and the state of other nutrient suppliers using a method known in the art. As an example, a representative value (such as an average value) for each type of similar nutrient supplier based on past knowledge may be used as the first parameter n i It can be set as:

[0058] In the parameter estimation step, the estimation of the parameters may be performed based on the assumption that the higher the similarity between the state of one nutrient supplier and at least one state of the other nutrient supplier, the higher the similarity of the parameters. As an example, the state of one nutrient supplier is compared with the other nutrient supplier in terms of the type of nutrient supplier, and if the similarity is high, at least one of the sixth parameter E and the third parameter d among the parameters of the other nutrient supplier may be set to a value similar to the known parameter set in the one nutrient supplier.

[0059] In the parameter estimation step, the parameters that can be estimated are not limited to the first to sixth parameters. For example, the above-mentioned alternative parameters may be estimated. That is, in the parameter estimation step, the alternative parameters included in the parameter group in one nutrient supplier may be referenced to estimate the alternative parameters included in the parameter group in at least one of the other nutrient suppliers.

[0060] [Acquisition process] The nutrient supply amount estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include an acquisition step before the nutrient supply amount estimation step. The acquisition step may be a step of acquiring values ​​to be input as variables to an equation including parameters as constants.

[0061] The values ​​entered for the variables include a time value indicating any point in time desired by the user, and optionally further include a supply temperature value.

[0062] [Nutrient supply amount estimation process] A nutrient supply estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a nutrient supply estimation step of estimating a nutrient supply amount at any point in time by referring to a group of parameters for estimating a nutrient supply amount.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, referencing the set of parameters may be accomplished by using a formula that includes the set of parameters as constants, and that includes a time value as a variable that indicates any point in time desired by the user, and that outputs an estimated supply amount at any desired point in time based on the input of the variable.

[0064] The formula used in the nutrient supply amount estimation step can be appropriately set by the user, taking into consideration the state of the supply body indicated by the parameters included in the above-mentioned parameter group. As an example, the formula used is i and a value obtained by multiplying the second parameter N by a value calculated by an equation including a third parameter d, a fourth parameter k, and a variable t is added to the intercept. A non-limiting example of formula (i) used in one embodiment of the present invention is shown below.

[0065] n=N·[1+d·exp{exp(d+1)-1-k·t}] -1 / d +n i Formula (i) In formula (i), n (unit: mg / 100 mg nutrient supplier) indicates the amount of nutrient supplied (unit: mg) from 100 mg of nutrient supplier at time t (unit: days). i (unit: mg / 100 mg nutrient supplier) is the first parameter, and indicates the amount of nutrients supplied from 100 mg of nutrient supplier at t = 0. N (unit: mg / 100 g) is the second parameter. d (unit: -) is the third parameter. k (unit: day -1 ) is the fourth parameter.

[0066] Equation (i) is based on the first parameter n i is an equation in which n is calculated by adding a value obtained by multiplying the second parameter N by a value calculated by a term (iA) including a third parameter d, a fourth parameter k, and a variable t to the intercept.

[0067] [1 + d·exp{exp(d + 1) - 1 - k·t}] -1 / d term (iA)

[0068] Equation (i) is an equation obtained by an integral form first-order reaction rate equation, a sigmoid equation, or a modification thereof, and the selected equation and the degree of modification depend on the value of d.

[0069] As an example, in Equation (i), when the third parameter d satisfies d = -1, the transition of the supply amount represented by n is an integral form first-order reaction rate equation including the variable t. At this time, it is presumed that the type of the donor is small and the reaction system of the reaction in which the donor supplies nutrients is simple. As another example, in Equation (i), when the third parameter d satisfies d = 1, the transition of the supply amount represented by n is a logistic equation (a special form of the sigmoid equation) including the variable t. At this time, it is presumed that the type of the donor is large and the reaction system of the reaction in which the donor supplies nutrients is complex.

[0070] As another example, in Equation (i), when the third parameter d satisfies -1 < d < 1, the smaller the third parameter d is, the higher the similarity of the transition of the supply amount to the integral form first-order reaction rate equation becomes, and it is presumed that the reaction system is simple. Also, the larger the third parameter d is, the higher the similarity of the transition of the supply amount to the logistic equation becomes, and it is presumed that the reaction system is complex.

[0071] Note that in Equation (i), the range of values that the third parameter d can take is not limited to the range of -1 ≤ d ≤ 1, and it may be in the range of d < -1 or 1 < d. From the viewpoint of the complexity of the reaction system, it has been generally conventional to set the first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth parameters for each reaction constituting the reaction system. However, according to one aspect of the present invention, since the range of values that the third parameter d can take is wide, specifically, the range of d < -1 or 1 < d can also be taken, a complex reaction system can be easily handled using a small number of types of parameters.

[0072] Furthermore, when d=0, the value of term (iA) in formula (i) cannot be mathematically calculated. However, since the value of term (iA) coincides in the limit where d approaches 0 from a positive or negative value, the value of term (iA) when d=0 may be treated as being equal to the value in that limit. Furthermore, when the base (iB) below of term (iA) is a negative value, the value of term (iA) may not be a real number. In this case, the value of base (iB) may be treated as 0 and formula (i) including term (iA) may be calculated, or the value of base (iB) may first be multiplied by -1 to make it a positive value, and then the value of term (iA) may be calculated, and then the value of term (iA) may be multiplied by -1 to calculate formula (i).

[0073] [1+d·exp{exp(d+1)-1-k·t}] base(iB)

[0074] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fourth parameter k is s The fifth parameter k may be calculated by referring to the sixth parameter E. By calculating the fourth parameter k in this manner, the method for estimating the amount of nutrient supply according to an embodiment of the present invention can estimate the amount of supply depending on the temperature change. s Referencing the fourth parameter k and the sixth parameter E can be achieved by using an equation that includes these parameters as constants. The equation includes a value indicating the supply temperature as a variable, and by inputting the variable, the equation can output the fourth parameter k at the input supply temperature. An example of the equation using a non-limiting Arrhenius equation used to calculate the fourth parameter k in one embodiment of the present invention is shown in the following equation (ii).

[0075] k=k s exp{E / R (1 / T s -1 / T)} Formula (ii) In formula (ii), k s (Unit: day -1 ) is the fifth parameter, which is the rate constant for the change in the supply amount at the reference temperature of 25°C. E (unit: kJ mol -1 ) is the sixth parameter. R(8.31 kJ mol-1 ·K (absolute temperature) represents the gas constant. T s (Unit: K (absolute temperature)) indicates the absolute temperature corresponding to the reference temperature of 25° C. T (unit: K (absolute temperature)) indicates the supply temperature.

[0076] In the nutrient supply amount estimation step, the supply amount may be estimated by referring to an alternative parameter instead of at least one of the parameters included in the parameter group. Here, the alternative parameter is a parameter obtained by converting at least one parameter included in the parameter group using a mathematical conversion formula.

[0077] As an example of mathematical transformation to obtain alternative parameters, the temperature is taken as the reference temperature of 25°C, i.e., k = k s Here is an example of the condition: n=0.25N+n i When the above formula is input, the following formula (iii) is obtained.

[0078] 0.25N+n i =N·[1+d·exp{exp(d+1)-1-k s t 25%}] -1 / d +n i Formula (iii)

[0079] Equation (iii) is a third parameter d and a fifth parameter k s From the alternative parameter t 25% This is the conversion formula to obtain the alternative parameter t 25% indicates the time when the ratio of the change in the supply amount to the maximum change in the supply amount reaches 25%. Therefore, the user can select the alternative parameter t 25% By referring to the above, it is easy to understand the time when the nutrients supplied by the donor reach 25% of the maximum change.

[0080] Similarly, for formula (i), n=0.5N+n i , n=0.75N+n iWhen each parameter is input, the alternative parameter t 50% , t 75% The user can obtain t 25% , t 50% , and t 75% By obtaining these values, it is possible to understand the times when the nutrients supplied from the donor reach 25%, 50%, and 75% of the maximum change amount, and it is therefore easy to understand the characteristics of nutrient supply to the plant.

[0081] Furthermore, t 25% , t 50% , t 75% The third parameter d and the fifth parameter k are obtained by performing a mathematical transformation using at least two of the following: s That is, the alternative parameters that facilitate user understanding may also function as parameters included in the equation used in the nutrient supply estimation step.

[0082] The alternative parameters are not limited to the above examples and can be set by any mathematical transformation. 25% , t 50% , and t 75% From the median (t 50% ) and the quartile deviation {(t 75% -t 25% ) / 2} can be calculated. Using these, the user can understand that half of the nutrients are supplied during the median ± quartile period, and can roughly understand the time when nutrients are supplied. From these two parameters, the third parameter d and the fifth parameter k can be calculated reversibly. s can be calculated.

[0083] [Method of using nutrient suppliers] One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for using a nutrient supplier. The method for using a nutrient supplier according to one embodiment of the present invention includes estimating a state of the nutrient supplier by referring to at least one of (i) a nutrient supply amount estimated by a nutrient supply amount estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (ii) at least one parameter included in a parameter group used to estimate the nutrient supply amount.

[0084] In the method for using a nutrient supply body according to one embodiment of the present invention, the state of the supply body can be estimated by referring to at least one of the supply amount and the parameters described above. Here, examples of the state of the supply body include, but are not limited to, an excess or shortage of the supply amount and a delay in the supply time. Therefore, according to the method for using a nutrient supply body according to one embodiment of the present invention, the user can select an optimal supply body based on the estimated state of the supply body, and set the application amount, application time, application period, etc. of the supply body. As an example, the user can set a plan, based on the estimated state of the supply body, to use the supply body contained in the field as it is, or to add a supply body to the field.

[0085] In the method of using a nutrient supply body according to one embodiment of the present invention, the estimated nutrient supply amount and at least one parameter included in the parameter group used for the estimation may be referenced to the nutrient supply amount and parameters described or stored in any medium. Examples of the medium include, but are not limited to, the packaging of the nutrient supply body and the instruction manual. In addition, in any medium, instead of the nutrient supply amount and parameters themselves, a method of accessing the medium in which these can be viewed, such as a homepage address or a QR code (registered trademark), may be described or stored and referenced.

[0086] In the method for using a nutrient supplier according to one embodiment of the present invention, in the estimation step, the state of the nutrient supplier may be estimated by referring to the time until an arbitrary nutrient supply amount of nutrients supplied from the nutrient supplier to the plant is obtained, which is calculated from at least one parameter included in the parameter group. According to one embodiment of the present invention, by referring to the time until an arbitrary nutrient supply amount is obtained, the state of the nutrient supplier can be estimated taking into account the time required for a desired amount of nutrients to be supplied to the plant. Therefore, the user can set a more appropriate plan.

[0087] [Software implementation example] The scope of the present invention also includes an apparatus for executing each step of the nutrient supply amount estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention or the method for using a nutrient supply body according to one embodiment of the present invention. The functions of the apparatus can be realized by a program for making a computer function as the apparatus, and a program for making a computer function as each control block of the apparatus. In other words, the scope of the present invention also includes a program for making a computer execute the nutrient supply amount estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention or the method for using a nutrient supply body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and storage device execute the program to realize each step of the nutrient supply amount estimation method or the nutrient supply body utilization method described above.

[0089] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded in one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be provided to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0090] In addition, some or all of the functions of each of the control blocks can be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of each of the control blocks can be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0091] Furthermore, each step of the above-mentioned nutrient supply amount estimation method or the nutrient supply body utilization method may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may be operated by the above-mentioned control device or may be operated by another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0092] [Estimation system] Furthermore, the present invention also includes an estimation system that includes a database that stores the above-mentioned data in association with a nutrient supply body, and an estimation device that estimates the amount of nutrient supply. That is, the estimation system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a database that stores at least one of (i) the amount of nutrient supply estimated by the nutrient supply amount estimation method according to one embodiment of the present invention, (ii) the state of the nutrient supply body estimated by the method for using the nutrient supply body according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (iii) any of the values ​​of the parameters included in the parameter group used to estimate the amount of nutrient supply, in association with the nutrient supply body, and an estimation device that refers to the data stored in the database and estimates the amount of nutrient supply of the test nutrient supply body.

[0093] In the estimation system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the database can be accessed by a user, and at least one of (i) the amount of nutrient supply, (ii) the state of the nutrient supplier, and (iii) any of the parameter values ​​can be written and read. Thus, the user can estimate the amount of nutrient supply of a desired test nutrient supplier by referring to data and parameter values ​​based on estimations performed by the user or other users.

[0094] The estimation system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a means for modifying the formula used to mathematically estimate the supply amount by referring to a user's operation or by referring to the result of the estimation performed by the user. As an example, the database may include a means for storing the result of the estimation of the supply amount performed by the user and the corresponding actual result of the supply amount, and for appropriately modifying the formula used so that the difference between the estimated result and the actual result is small. With such a configuration, the estimation system according to an embodiment of the present invention can further improve the accuracy of the estimation.

[0095] [Modifications] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0096] For example, the formula used to mathematically estimate the supply amount can be appropriately set depending on the desired format of the information on the nutrient supply amount. As an example, the following formula (iv) may be used.

[0097] n=N·[1+d·exp{exp(d+1)-1-k·t}] -1 / d Formula (iv) Formula (iv) is a compound represented by the formula (i) i = 0, and n indicates the difference in the amount of nutrients supplied over time. That is, n i It is also within the scope of one aspect of the present invention to estimate the amount of difference over time by appropriately setting the value of .

[0098] As another example, formula (v) or formula (vi) shown below may be used.

[0099] n / N=[1+d·exp{exp(d+1)-1-k·t}] -1 / d +n i / N formula(v) n / N=[1+d·exp{exp(d+1)-1-k·t}] -1 / d Formula (vi) Formula (v) is a formula for calculating the ratio of the supplied nutrients, n / N. Formula (vi) is the formula for calculating the ratio of the supplied nutrients, n / N. i = 0, and n / N indicates the ratio of the difference in the amount of nutrients supplied over time. In formulas (v) and (vi), N may be set to 1, and each formula may be set so that n corresponds to the ratio. In other words, it is within the scope of one embodiment of the present invention to estimate the ratio of the amount supplied per nutrient supplier by appropriately modifying the formula.

[0100] As another example, in the formulas used, the values ​​entered as variables may include, in addition to the time value, corrections to accommodate conditions that may affect nutrient supply, such as field water potential and pH. EXAMPLES

[0101] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0102] In this example, the amount of inorganic nitrogen supplied from soil and compost was estimated as the nutrient supply amount. A group of parameters was set with reference to the amount of inorganic nitrogen contained in soil and compost measured by an experimental method described in Non-Patent Document 1 above. Next, the amount of inorganic nitrogen was estimated using the set group of parameters, and the estimated amount of inorganic nitrogen (estimated value) and the referenced amount of inorganic nitrogen (experimental value) were plotted in the graph shown in Figure 1 for comparison. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the estimation result of the amount of inorganic nitrogen in the example.

[0103] Example 1 The first, second, third, fifth, and sixth parameters were set so as to minimize the residual sum of squares of the difference between the inorganic nitrogen amount values ​​contained in the soil and the soil to which compost was applied at each temperature listed in "Table 1" of Non-Patent Document 1 and the estimated value by formula (i) and formula (ii). In this embodiment, the inorganic nitrogen amount refers to the total amount of the ammonium nitrogen amount and the nitrate nitrogen amount.

[0104] n=N·[1+d·exp{exp(d+1)-1-k·t}] -1 / d +n i Formula (i) In formula (i), n is the estimated amount of inorganic nitrogen contained in the soil at time t. i is the first parameter, which indicates the amount of inorganic nitrogen contained in the soil at t = 0. N is the second parameter, which indicates the maximum amount of change in inorganic nitrogen amount, i.e., the amount of change in inorganic nitrogen amount after a sufficient amount of time has passed. d is the third parameter, which indicates the shape of equation (i) that shows the transition of inorganic nitrogen amount. k is the fourth parameter, which indicates the rate constant for the change in inorganic nitrogen amount at soil temperature T (unit: K (absolute temperature)).

[0105] k=k s exp{E / R (1 / T s -1 / T)} Formula (ii) In formula (ii), k s is the fifth parameter, which indicates the rate constant for the change in the amount of inorganic nitrogen at 25°C. E is the sixth parameter, which indicates the temperature dependence of the rate constant. T s is the reference temperature, i.e., the absolute temperature corresponding to 25°C. R is the gas constant (8.31 kJ mol -1 ·K (absolute temperature).

[0106] Each parameter was set for condition (1) only soil with no fertilizer applied, (2) soil with cow, pig and chicken manure compost applied, (3) soil with cow manure compost applied, and (4) soil with chicken manure applied. In order to understand the effect of compost, each parameter was also set for the difference between the inorganic nitrogen amount value in (1) and the inorganic nitrogen amount value in (4) using conditions (1) and (4) where the difference in the effect of compost was large, that is, condition (5) only chicken manure compost excluding the effect of soil. For each of conditions (1) to (5), the soil temperature was set to 10°C, 20°C, and 30°C.

[0107] Table 1 below shows the inorganic nitrogen amounts by temperature (in duplicate) which are described in "Table 1" of Non-Patent Document 1 and which were used to set the parameters in this embodiment.

[0108] [Table 1]

[0109] The estimated values ​​obtained by referring to the set parameters were close to the experimental values. Moreover, the sixth parameter was close to the experimental values ​​under conditions (1) to (5), regardless of the type of soil or compost.

[0110] Example 2 Therefore, further, the value of the sixth parameter was set to be the same under all conditions (1) to (5), and the first parameter, the second parameter, the third parameter, the fifth parameter, and the sixth parameter were set so that the residual sum of squares of the difference between the estimated values ​​according to equations (i) and (ii) and the experimental values ​​was minimized.

[0111] Table 2 shows the results of each parameter set in Example 2.

[0112] [Table 2]

[0113] Fig. 1 shows the experimental value of the inorganic nitrogen amount and the estimated value according to formula (i) including each parameter set in Example 2. In Fig. 1, the points show the experimental value data, and the curve shows the estimated value data according to formula (i). However, under condition (5), the experimental value shown is the value obtained by subtracting the estimated value under condition (1) from the estimated value under condition (4).

[0114] Example 3 Furthermore, the time t when the ratio of the change in inorganic nitrogen content to the maximum change reaches 25%, 50%, or 75% 25% , t 50% or t 75% The alternative parameter t was calculated using the third parameter d and the fourth parameter. 25% , t50% or t 75% was calculated from the following formula (iii), formula (vii), or formula (viii), respectively.

[0115] 0.25N+n i =N·[1+d·exp{exp(d+1)-1-k s t 25%}] -1 / d +n i Formula (iii) 0.50N+n i =N·[1+d·exp{exp(d+1)-1-k s t 50%}] -1 / d +n i Formula (vii) 0.75N+n i =N·[1+d·exp{exp(d+1)-1-k s t 75%}] -1 / d +n i Formula (viii)

[0116] Table 3 shows the surrogate parameters calculated in Example 3.

[0117] [Table 3]

[0118] Comparative Example 1 The parameters included in model formula 2 were set so as to minimize the residual sum of squares of the difference between the inorganic nitrogen amount value in the soil for each temperature listed in "Table 1" of Non-Patent Document 1 and the estimated value by "Model Formula 2" of Non-Patent Document 1. The parameters that were set were the same as the results listed in "Table 2" of Non-Patent Document 1. The parameters listed in "Table 2" of Non-Patent Document 1 are shown in Table 4 below. Please refer to Non-Patent Document 1 for detailed meanings of each parameter. N=N 0 [1-exp(-k t)]-N 0im [1-exp(-k im ·t)]+b ("Model Formula 2" in Non-Patent Document 1)

[0119] However, in "Model Formula 2" of Non-Patent Document 1, k im , k, t are calculated as follows: k im =Bexp(-E aim / RT) k=Cexp(-E a / RT)

[0120] [Table 4]

[0121] In addition, in accordance with "Table 2" or "Table 4" of Non-Patent Document 1, N in Table 4 0 , and N 0im is expressed as the amount (unit: mg) per 50 g of soil under conditions (1) to (4), and is expressed as the weight percentage of the applied chicken manure compost under condition (5).

[0122] [Discussion] As shown in Table 2, the sixth parameter E, which indicates the temperature dependency of the rate constant, was close under each of the conditions (1) to (5) in Example 1, and therefore the same value could be set. This suggests that in a reaction system thought to be mediated by microorganisms contained in soil, the rate-limiting reaction for the production of inorganic nitrogen is the same regardless of the type of compost, and therefore the sixth parameter corresponding to the activation energy of the rate-limiting reaction also has the same value. In contrast, as shown in Table 4, in Comparative Example 1, the temperature-dependent E was close under each of the conditions (1) to (5). a and E aim This shows that in a model formula that contains multiple parameters with similar meanings, interference occurs between the parameters, and therefore even if the final estimated value N is accurate, it can be difficult to assign meaning to the individual parameter values ​​themselves.

[0123] As shown in this embodiment, the sixth parameter E may be a constant value among multiple reaction systems. Since the sixth parameter E is a parameter corresponding to the activation energy of the rate-determining reaction, it is presumed that the sixth parameter E can be treated as a constant value when dealing with similar reaction systems. Therefore, by expressing the temperature dependency using only the sixth parameter in this way and eliminating the effect of temperature by the sixth parameter, it is possible to easily handle the estimation of the amount of nutrient supply as if it were under a constant temperature condition with no effect of temperature.

[0124] Next, the first parameter n i , or "Second parameter N + first parameter n i As shown in Figure 1, the values ​​of " tended to be close to the nitrogen supply amount at t = 0 or the nitrogen supply amount after a sufficient amount of time had passed. This indicates that the first parameter n i , and the second parameter N can provide a rough idea of ​​the supply information.

[0125] Further, a comparison of conditions (1), (4) and (5) will be discussed. As shown in Table 2, in Example 1, the first parameter n i The value obtained by subtracting the value of the second parameter N set under condition (1) from the value of the second parameter N tends to be close to the value of the parameter set under condition (5). This means that the first parameter n i corresponds favorably to the amount of inorganic nitrogen contained in the soil or compost at t = 0, and the second parameter N corresponds favorably to the maximum change in the amount of inorganic nitrogen. This further indicates that unknown parameters corresponding to one nutrient supplier can be estimated from known parameters corresponding to another nutrient supplier.

[0126] In Table 4 showing the results of Comparative Example 1, b, N 0 , and N 0imNote that the values ​​in Table 4 must be multiplied by two to compare with Table 2 and Figure 1, which are expressed in terms of amounts per 100 g of soil, since they are expressed as a percentage by weight of chicken manure compost in condition (5), which is excluded from the discussion here. For parameter b in Table 4, the corresponding first parameter n i Similarly, a tendency was observed to indicate the amount of nitrogen supplied at t = 0. However, the second parameter N and the corresponding parameter N in Table 4 0 Calculated using "parameter b + parameter N 0 The relationship between the value of " and the amount of nitrogen supplied after a sufficient amount of time had passed was unclear. Therefore, the parameters b and N 0 However, even using this method, it was difficult to get a rough idea of ​​supply information.

[0127] In addition, it was possible to set the substitution parameter to indicate the time at which the ratio of the amount of change in inorganic nitrogen to the maximum amount of change reaches a specified value. As an example, as shown in Table 3, in condition (5) where only chicken manure compost is used without soil, it can be intuitively understood that the ratio of the amount of inorganic nitrogen that changes from chicken manure compost to inorganic nitrogen reaches 50% 60 days after application at 25°C. [Industrial Applicability]

[0128] The present invention can be used to support agricultural management.

Claims

1. A method for estimating a nutrient supply amount, the method comprising: estimating an amount of a nutrient supplied from a nutrient supplier selected from soil, organic matter, and organic fertilizer, the nutrient being inorganic nitrogen, the method comprising: The method includes a nutrient supply amount estimation step of estimating the nutrient supply amount at any time point by referring to the following formula (i) including a group of parameters for estimating the nutrient supply amount, or an equation obtained by mathematically converting the formula (i), n=N・[1+d・exp{exp(d+1)−1−k・t}] −1 / d +n i Formula (i) The parameter group includes: A first parameter n i indicating the amount of nutrient supply at a reference time point; A second parameter N indicating the maximum change in the nutrient supply rate; A third parameter d indicating the shape of the equation representing the transition of the nutrient supply amount; A fourth parameter k indicating a rate constant for the change in the nutrient supply rate; Includes: In formula (i), n represents the amount of nutrients supplied; t indicates the elapsed time from the reference point, Nutrient supply estimation method.

2. The fourth parameter k is A fifth parameter k s indicating a rate constant for the change in the nutrient supply amount at a reference temperature; A sixth parameter E indicating the temperature dependence of the rate constant; It is calculated with reference to the following formula (ii) including: k=k s ·exp{E / R ·(1 / T s −1 / T)} Equation (ii) In formula (ii), R is the gas constant, T s represents the reference temperature, T denotes the temperature of the nutrient supply; The method for estimating nutrient supply according to claim 1.

3. A nutrient supply estimation method as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the nutrient supply estimation step, a desired nutrient supply amount is input as the nutrient supply amount n in formula (i) to estimate the time t required to reach the desired nutrient supply amount instead of the nutrient supply amount n at any point in time.

4. (i) a nutrient supply amount n estimated by the nutrient supply amount estimation method according to claim 1 or 2, and (ii) at least one parameter included in the parameter group used to estimate the nutrient supply amount n, to estimate a state of the nutrient supplier; The state of the nutrient supplier is selected from an excess or deficiency of the nutrient supply amount n and a slow or fast supply time of the nutrient. How to use nutrient providers.

5. In the estimating step, A method for using a nutrient supplier as described in claim 4, wherein the state of the nutrient supplier is estimated by referring to the time it takes for a desired amount of nutrients to be supplied from the nutrient supplier to a plant, which is calculated from at least one parameter included in the group of parameters.

6. A program for causing a computer to execute the nutrient supply amount estimation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, or the nutrient supply body utilization method according to claim 4 or 5.

7. A database that stores at least one of (i) a nutrient supply amount n estimated by the nutrient supply amount estimation method according to claim 1 or 2, (ii) a state of the nutrient supply body estimated by the nutrient supply body utilization method according to claim 4 or 5, and (iii) any one of the values ​​of the parameters included in the parameter group used to estimate the nutrient supply amount n, in association with the nutrient supply body; An estimation device that estimates the nutrient supply amount n of a test nutrient supply body by referring to the data stored in the database; An estimation system comprising:

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