Fertilizer Application Device Using Vegetation Index for Site-Specific Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural practices in precision farming face challenges in site-specific application of resources like fertilizers and fungicides due to soil and microclimate heterogeneities, leading to oversupply or undersupply issues, as existing methods rely on cumbersome calibration and fail to account for yield potential and plant variety variations.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for 1-point calibration of fertilizer application, using a sensor to determine a vegetation index and applying a calibrated application quantity with adjustable gradient and limits, allowing for site-specific application based on yield potential and empirical adjustments, enabling efficient and need-based application of fertilizers and other materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional multi-point calibration using N-tester is used, then measurement precision of nitrogen content is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome procedure and experience requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the calibration parameter from multi-point nitrogen content measurement to single-point vegetation index measurement combined with yield potential data. This transforms the complex N-tester calibration into a simple 1-point calibration where the user only needs to input one vegetation index value and select the yield potential category, dramatically improving ease of operation while maintaining precision through the combination of vegetation index and yield potential information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential calibration information from complex multi-point N-tester measurements by identifying that only one calibration point combined with yield potential data is sufficient. This extraction approach removes the cumbersome multi-step calibration procedure while preserving the core functionality of determining fertilizer application rates.
2Ease of operation
If uniform fertilization across entire field is applied, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision of nutrient distribution deteriorates due to soil heterogeneity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by differentiating fertilizer application rates based on local yield potential zones within the field. Instead of uniform application, the system divides the field into zones with different yield potentials and applies site-specific fertilizer rates to each zone, ensuring precise nutrient distribution matched to local soil and crop needs while maintaining operational simplicity through automated zone-based control.
3Device complexity
If yield potential is disregarded in fertilizer calculation, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of fertilizer application deteriorates due to over- or under-supply in different areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating yield potential data into the fertilization system before the actual fertilization operation. The yield potential map is pre-loaded and integrated with the vegetation index measurement, allowing the system to automatically calculate appropriate fertilizer rates based on both real-time plant status and pre-known yield potential, thereby achieving precise fertilizer application without increasing operational complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach simplifies and optimizes fertilizer application by allowing quick calibration and adjustment, reducing oversupply and undersupply issues, and can be applied to various crops with minimal software and hardware requirements, ensuring precise nutrient distribution based on yield potential and development status.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor to detect a vegetation index closely linked to the developmental stage
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for dispensing an amount to be applied in which a characteristic, for example a linear characteristic, is predetermined, from which an amount to be applied can be read in accordance with a development status. Said characteristic can be manually corrected by the user. According to the invention, the amount which is to be applied can be determined in accordance with the yield potential.