Real-time nutrient supply expert system

Abstract

The computerised real-time nutrient supply expert system (100) of the invention includes a first database (110) storing soil test results and / or derived nutrient supply data, a central computer (140) and a communication system linking them (150). The system also includes a second database (120) storing current meteorological data for the area, connected to the central computer (140) via the communication system (150), and a field measurement data acquisition device (130), also connected to the central computer (140) via the communication system (150), which is equipped with a soil sensor measuring the electrical conductivity of the soil (240) and the NDVI measuring the normalised vegetation index of the area equipped with sensor (230). The central computer (140) is trained to process data from the second database (120) and the field measurement data acquisition equipment (130) in real time.

Description

[0001] Real-time nutrient supply expert system

[0002] The object of the invention is a real-time nutrient supply expert system. In particular, the invention is a computer system that generates information about the current nutrient requirements of a given agricultural area and the timing plan of nutrient application.

[0003] Nowadays, the use of environmentally friendly technologies is becoming more and more important in agriculture, including crop production. It has become of outstanding importance that the soil of cultivated areas and its environment should be loaded to as little chemicals as possible during nutrient supply. In addition, a reduction in fertilisers leads to a reduction in greenhouse gases produced in agricultural production.

[0004] The disclosure document CN113837602 refers to an intelligent agricultural crop production system, which contains, among others, a database based on the agricultural big data platform, a central monitoring server computer, a data acquisition module, a data processing module, a client computer. The database based on the agricultural big data platform store data on the irrigation water and nutrient requirements of each area for various crops, the system allows the user to choose the appropriate irrigation and fertilization methods according to his own needs. The disadvantage of the system is that it does not take into account the current state of the cultivated area and the current environmental parameters, and does not provide information on the time of application of irrigation water or fertilizer.

[0005] With the invention, our goal is to implement a computer expert system that can provide information about the current nutrient demand of a given area in real time and recommend the optimal timing of nutrient application by using data stored in various databases and currently collected from measurements. Thus, the system according to the invention optimizes the nutrient supply recommendations received by traditional consulting methods based on the results of non-destructive, rapid tests, and prepares a more precise proposal taking into account the current soil condition and plant needs

[0006] The set goals are achieved by implementing the system according to claim 1. Preferred embodiment of the invention are defined by the dependent claims. The invention will be described in detail further on the basis of the drawing. In the drawing

[0007] - figure 1 is a functional block diagram of the system of invention, and

[0008] - figure 2 is a schematic drawing of an example of the design form of the field measurement data acquisition device used in the system of invention.

[0009] Figure 1 shows a functional block diagram of the 100 system of the invention. The 100 system comprise a first 110 database, a second 120 database, 130 field measurement data acquisition equipment, 140 central computer and 150 communication system linking these devices, including wired and / or wireless data transmission technologies known in themselves.

[0010] The first 110 database stores soil analysis results and / or derived nutrient supply data on cultivated agricultural land. The 110 database stores soil test results for at least 5 years.

[0011] The second 120 database stores current meteorological data on different agricultural areas, such as air temperature, air humidity, rainfall, wind strength, UV radiation, etc.

[0012] The 130 field measurement data acquisition equipment collects and stores parameters related to the current state of the soil in the field to be cultivated, by non-destructive soil testing. These parameters include the electrical conductivity of the soil and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of the area.

[0013] NDVI is the most widely used vegetation index, which is related to the "greenness" and photosynthetic activity of the surface. The value of the NDVI index reflects the amount of biomass in a particular place, namely the chlorophyll and water content of the leaves. The higher the vegetation index value, the darker the green area, i.e. the greater the green mass, which indicates a healthy, well-supplied with water and nutrients, strong, growing plant stock. The NDVI index is used, among other things, to monitor plant development, health, the condition of pastures, estimate the amount of biomass.

[0014] A schematic drawing of an example of the 130 field measurement data acquisition equipment is shown in figure 2. The equipment has a carrier 200 structure to which a depth adjustment wheel 210 and a 220 hoe (duckfoot hoe) are connected from below. Immediately behind the 220 hoe is arranged a 230 NDVI sensor. The 230 NDVI sensor transmits the measurement results to 260 data logger via wired connection. The 260 data logger also continuously collects GPS data from 250 GPS receiver arranged on 200 structure. On the 200 carrier structure, a 240 ground sensor is located at the end of a pull-out and strong plastic tube, preferably at a distance of about 1.5 from the metal parts of the 200 structure. The signals from the 240 soil sensor would also be transmitted to the 260 data logger via wired connection.

[0015] From the measurement data provided by the 230 NDVI sensor and / or 240 soil sensor, an NDVI or soil conductivity map for the given area can also be generated.

[0016] The 140 central computer preferably contain a module with a program for calculating the nutrient requirements of the given area based on data from databases 110, 120 and current data received from 130 field measurement data acquisition equipment. The 140 central computer conveniently contain another module with a program for proposing the optimal time for nutrient application based on meteorological data from 120 databases.

[0017] In one of the possible embodiments of the 100 system of the invention, the information generated by the 130 central computer is displayed on a display to the user (agricultural specialist), on the basis of which the user can take further measures to apply nutrients to the area to be cultivated (e.g. switching on the irrigation system, starting fertilizer spreaders, etc.).

[0018] In another particularly advantageous design of the 100 system of the invention, the information generated by the 130 central computer is used to operate an automatic irrigation and / or fertilization system. In this case, fully automated operation is possible, when the automatic irrigation and / or fertilization system is automatically controlled without user intervention, based on the optimal values obtained as a result of the evaluation, or semiautomated operation is also possible, when the operation of the automatic irrigation and / or fertilization system recommended by the 130 central computer requires the user's permission and approval. The (partially or fully) automated system implements an integrated nutrient supply system, which includes a computerized advisory function as well as a mechanical system for nutrient application.

[0019] The system of the invention has the following advantages.

[0020] The real-time nutrient supply system helps cost-effective adaptation to climate change in the case of arable crops. By using the system, significant cost savings in nutrient procurement and application costs can be achieved with minimal increase in already low-input testing costs. At the same time, the improvement in production efficiency will also be reflected in surplus yields due to more precise nutrient application. In addition, with the implementation of environmentally friendly nutrient supply, the environmental load is also reduced. Less fertiliser use results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

[0021] Thanks to the expert system (computer program) adapted to the diagnostic and rapid soil nutrient analysis method, much faster interventions become possible. The feasibility of rational nutrient management is made even more achievable by the rapid test result.

[0022] The continuous monitoring and integration of weather factors and soil moisture changes (depth and time) into the system helps to adapt to weather that has become more extreme due to climate change.

Claims

Claims1. Computerised real-time nutrient supply expert system (100), including a first database (110) storing soil analysis results and / or derived nutrient supply data, a central computer (140) and a communication system linking them (150), characterized by that the system also contains- a second database (120) storing current meteorological data for the area concerned, and connected to the central computer (140) by means of the communication system (150), and- a field measurement data acquisition device (130) also connected to the central computer (140) by means of the communication system (140) and equipped with a soil sensor (240) measuring the electrical conductivity of the soil and an NDVI sensor (230) measuring the normalised vegetation index of the area concerned,- wherein the central computer (140) is trained to process data from the second database (120) and the field measurement data acquisition equipment (130) in real time.

2. The system (100) according to claim 1, characterised by that the central computer (140) includes a first module containing a programme for calculating the nutrient requirements of a given area based on data from databases (110, 120) and current data from the field measurement data acquisition equipment (130), and a second module containing the optimal time for nutrient application based on meteorological data from the second database (120) contains a program that produces a relevant proposal.

3. System according to claim 1 or claim 2 (100), characterised by that the field measurement data acquisition equipment (130) additionally includes a GPS receiver (250).

4. System (100) according to claim 3, characterised by that the field measurement data acquisition equipment (130) also includes a data logger (260) receiving and storing data from NDVI sensors (230), soil sensors (240) and GPS receivers (250).

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