Crop Status Assessment via Planting Density Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural imaging methods fail to account for varying planting densities, leading to inaccurate agricultural product recommendations, particularly affecting nutrient distribution and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines planting density within an agricultural field, generates field areas based on this density, and adjusts agricultural product recommendations accordingly, incorporating crop status and nutrient needs to balance nutrient distribution and adherence to regulatory constraints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If remote sensing imagery is used to determine crop status, then field-wide nutrient recommendations can be generated without in-field inspection, but the method cannot account for varying planting densities and produces inaccurate recommendations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote field assessment capabilityVSAvoidagricultural product recommendation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges remote sensing imagery data with planting density information from planting prescriptions to create a comprehensive assessment system. By combining these two data sources, the system maintains the ease of remote field-wide assessment while correcting for planting density variations to improve recommendation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces planting density maps as an intermediary element that mediates between the remote sensing imagery and the final agricultural product recommendations. This intermediary allows the system to account for varying planting densities without requiring direct in-field inspection, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If uniform fertilizer application is used across the field, then implementation is simple, but it does not account for local variability in planting density and crop nutrient needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefertilizer application simplicityVSAvoidlocal nutrient requirement adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by generating variable rate fertilizer recommendations tailored to specific field areas with different planting densities and crop statuses. Each zone receives customized nutrient recommendations based on its unique characteristics, thereby achieving local adaptation while maintaining systematic implementation through digital guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from static uniform fertilizer application to dynamic variable rate application. The system continuously adapts fertilizer recommendations based on spatial variations in planting density and crop status, enabling the application strategy to respond dynamically to local field conditions while remaining implementable through modern agricultural machinery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If fertilizer application is increased to meet higher planting densities, then nutrient availability for dense plantings is improved, but economic losses and environmental damage increase from unused nutrients

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenutrient availability for cropVSAvoideconomic and environmental cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of fertilizer application rate from uniform to variable based on planting density and crop status. By adjusting the quantity of nutrient substance according to actual field conditions, the system ensures adequate nutrient availability where needed while reducing application in areas with lower demands, thereby minimizing both economic losses and environmental damage from unused nutrients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4573869A1Method and system for determining a crop status and determining an agricultural product recommendation for a crop
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA
  • EP4573869A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4573869A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4573869A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Method and system for determining a crop status and determining an agricultural product recommendation for a crop, wherein a correction for the crop planting density is achieved. A further embodiment for the recommendation and application of fertilizer is envisaged.