Arrangement for improving the substance intake of field crops

Abstract

The subject of the invention is an arrangement for improving the input of substances in field plant cultivation comprising crops (16) and a geospatial information unit (5), the input side (5a) of the geospatial information unit (5) is connected to a soil scanner (1), an image transmitting satellite (2), and a soil probe (3) serving as a data source (20), its output side (5b) is connected to the testing unit (8), a soil map database (6) and a sampling unit (7) is connected to the testing unit (8). It is characterized in that the testing unit (8) is connected to a data processing unit (17), the data processing unit (17) has a signal transmission connection with a local control unit (10) through an improved zone map (9), the local control unit (10) is connected to an executing unit (18), a harvesting unit (14), and a feedback geospatial information unit (19).

Description

[0001] Arrangement for improving the substance intake of field crops

[0002] The invention is an arrangement for improving and optimizing the utilization of input substances in field plant cultivation, which includes data sources connected to a geospatial information unit.

[0003] The models representing the state of the art in the field of nutrient management are outdated. In addition to the unreliable underlying numbers, such models do not take into account the different properties of various genotypes. Even in the context of outdated underlying numbers, the problem is identified at the level of species only, even though the differences are also significant at variety -level.

[0004] Regarding the number of plants, no public, reliable and continuously updated database is available for known and constantly changing genotypes, nor can any static traces of such a database be identified.

[0005] The situation is particularly difficult in locations with a hectic continental climate (e.g. the Carpathian Basin). The mosaic nature of soils formed under such climate further increases uncertainty in the context of planning crop production. The situation is worsened even further by unexpected effects (epidemics, crises, wars), which overturn equilibrium systems (financial system, energy security, supply chains) almost month by month.

[0006] The systems available on the consulting and advisory market aim to optimize the nutrient supply of certain plants. However, they do not deal with issues related to the number of plants of relevant species, and they do not deal with issues concerning nutrient supply event at the variety level.

[0007] A known system takes into consideration only com, as a species, and only the own variety of the system's owner, primarily for marketing purposes. In other systems, nutrient supply at variety-level does not even appear, and interactions between the two properties (number of plants, nutrients) are also ignored.

[0008] South Korean patent document No. KR20200029648 describes an invention relating to a method and apparatus for operating a smart farm based on "big data" . The method of operating a smart farm consists of the following steps: acquiring various information used for operating a smart farm, including environmental sensor values, environmental control values, and crop images, through smart farms installed in multiple crop production facilities; and obtaining and ensuring an optimal crop growth curve using smart farm operational information as big data.

[0009] South Korean patent document No. KR20220023944 relates to a smart farm control system based on image analysis, which monitors soil moisture, soil composition, and pests using images of target crops, and uses big data and artificial intelligence to analyse the data to provide moisture supply, liquefied fertilizer, and fertilizer, pesticide spraying, or provides information about these, and provides further information about the harvest time of crops.

[0010] Japanese patent document No. JP2003189742 describes a cultivation and harvesting information system that, by generating cultivation and harvesting information, provides the necessary information for seed selection, sowing, irrigation, fertilization, drug administration, and harvesting period.

[0011] US patent document No. US20140365083 describes a system that concerns the delivery of crop products usable in precision farming to fields. The system includes a remote terminal that is connected to a network. The remote terminal includes a scanning application configured to allow the remote terminal to read a unique product identifier associated with a crop product to be delivered to the field.

[0012] International patent document No. WO2021201339 describes an invention relating to an intelligent agricultural field management system and its method of use. This solution includes a mobile sensor system, so that it effectively collects environmental data concerning a large area and status data concerning the cultivated plants.

[0013] Australian patent document No. AU2021100045 describes a method that includes soil sampling to ensure adequate productivity for crop production and using drones to produce image data samples of crop yields. This information allows farmers to arrange for planting and harvesting with a view to achieving the most efficient crop yield possible. Monitoring the health status of and sunlight absorption by individual plants can be determined using multiple spectral sensors.

[0014] The above-mentioned solutions that represent the state of the art also also ignore issues relating to the number of plants of relevant species and to nutrient supply at variety level.

[0015] Due to the increasingly changing conditions in recent years, it is even more necessary to improve the substance intake of field crops. The purpose of the invention is to eliminate the shortcomings of known solutions and to implement an arrangement that can provide product-independent input data from a reliable data level with a view to implementing and realizing environmentally friendly and adaptable plant cultivation at variety level.

[0016] The inventive step is based on the recognition that a solution, which is more advantageous than the previous ones, may be created by implementing the arrangement according to claim 1. The most general solution of the invention is described in claim 1. Some advantageous solutions are described in the subclaims.

[0017] The arrangement according to the invention is for improving the input of substances in field plant cultivation, which includes crops and a geospatial information unit, and the input side of the geospatial information unit is connected to a soil scanner, an image transmitting satellite, and a soil probe serving as a data source, a satellite that transmits images, and a soil probe, and its output side is connected to the testing unit, and a soil map database and a sampling unit is connected to the testing unit. A distinctive feature of the invention is that the testing unit is connected to a data processing unit, and the data processing unit has a signal transmission connection with a local control unit through an improved zone map, and the local control unit is connected to an executing unit, a harvesting unit, and a feedback geospatial information unit.

[0018] In an advantageous implementation form, the executing unit includes a fertilizer unit, a sowing unit, and a spraying unit. The feedback geospatial information unit is connected to a satellite and a local IT device. It sends data extracted from the data source model field to the input side of the geospatial information unit.

[0019] The invention is presented in more detail using drawings of the possible implementation forms. On the attached drawing,

[0020] Figure 1 shows the connection diagram of an example arrangement.

[0021] Figure 1 shows the soil scanner 1, the satellite 2 that provides images for use, the soil probe 3, and the model field 4 serving as a data source 20. Signal data from the data source 20 are transmitted to the input side 5a of the geospatial information unit 5 via, in the example, a wireless connection typically. The output side 5b of the geospatial information unit 5 is connected directly or indirectly to the testing unit, and the testing unit 8 is connected to the soil map database 6 and the sampling unit 7. The testing unit 8 is connected to the data processing unit 17. Signals from the data processing unit 17 are transmitted to the improved zone map 9, which is connected to the local control unit 10. The local control unit 10 is connected to the executing unit 18, which cares for crop 16 and includes a fertilizer unit 11, a sowing unit 12, and a spraying unit 13. Data information and signals from the executing unit 18, updated image data from the satellite 2, and measurement data from the harvesting unit 14 are transmitted to the feedback geospatial information unit 19 via wireless connection typically. The feedback geospatial information unit 19 is connected to a local IT device 15. The feedback geospatial information unit 19 may be physically the same as the geospatial information unit 5.

[0022] The procedure for optimizing the utilization of input substances in field plant cultivation is based on reliable and valid real-time data and data collection from data source 20, where data is collected using known units, and essential geospatial information is extracted from such data, which also points out the essence of the invention where information is associated with spatial points of fields, so that the first steps may be taken toward location- specific cultivation. Spatial heterogenety of the soil is determined using a soil scanner 1, and the granular composition of the soil is also determined, on the basis of which information can be extracted, in the first round, on water and nutrient supply capacity. Naturally, all such data is recorded and associated with geographical latitude and longitude coordinates determined accurately using a satellite 2, so that they form a soil map database 6 that serves as ground for precision plant cultivation. The data source 20 taken as example includes experimental data performed on the model field 4 established on the basis of satellite 2 imagery, soil probe 3 measurements, and data analysis.

[0023] The “heart” of the procedure, i.e. the soil map database 6, is finalized after the collected data is analysed by the computerized geospatial information unit 5, so that it can serve as ground for subsequent precision / location-specific decisions. On the basis of the soil map database 6, soil samples are collected by the sampling unit 7 following individual paths on fields in different zones, and the samples are analysed in an accredited testing unit 8 laboratory. The improved zone map 9 is generated on the basis of results received from the testing unit 8, and it contributes to the generation of information needed for the operation of the local control unit 10. These information signals are used by executing units 18 for delivering fertilizers in a location- specific manner, spraying variable dosages, and sowing varying numbers of plants. In the vegetation period, crop 16 development is monitored, the impact of previous activities is analysed using updated satellite 2 images, and more data is collected at the end of the vegetation period by a harvesting unit 14 fitted with a yield monitor, typically a combineharvester, so that the final data stock is produced, and then it is processed and analysed by the feedback geospatial information unit 19, and the results are transmitted to the local IT devices 15 of our partners in real time. This enables decision-making on the basis of up-to-date and real data with a view to optimizing the utilisation of input substances in field plant cultivation.

[0024] The arrangement according to the invention has numerous advantages. The arrangement according to the invention can provide product-independent input data from a reliable data level with a view to implementing and realizing environmentally friendly and adaptable plant cultivation at variety level. It unlocks the benefits of global data collection, in particular for closed economic interest groups. The examination of the number of plants and nutrient reactions of crops under certain climate and soil parameters, together with the systemic integration of data collected and processed in a location-specific manner, makes it possible to optimize the utilization of input substances. Location-specific tilling with varying depth can be implemented based on the level of harmful soil massing that can be determined using electric conductivity. The arrangement according to the invention enables decision -making support on the basis of data generated in real-time. Information is provided to farmers in real time after the generation of data, so that they can optimize input substance utilization in the given work phase right away.

[0025] The invention can be applied in agriculture, including, in particular, farms cultivating field crops such as com or sunflower.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Arrangement for improving the input of substances in field plant cultivation comprising crops (16) and a geospatial information unit (5), the input side (5a) of the geospatial information unit (5) is connected to a soil scanner (1), an image transmitting satellite (2), and a soil probe (3) serving as a data source (20), its output side (5b) is connected to the testing unit (8), a soil map database (6) and a sampling unit (7) is connected to the testing unit (8), characterized in that the testing unit (8) is connected to a data processing unit (17), the data processing unit (17) has a signal transmission connection with a local control unit (10) through an improved zone map (9), the local control unit (10) is connected to an executing unit (18), a harvesting unit (14), and a feedback geospatial information unit (19).

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the executing unit (18) includes a fertilizer unit (11), a sowing unit (12), and a spraying unit (13).

3. Any of the arrangements according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the feedback geospatial information unit (19) is connected to a satellite (2) and a local IT device (15).

4. Any of the arrangements according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it sends data extracted from the data source (20) model field (4) to the input side (5a) of the geospatial information unit (5).

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