On-The-Go Organic Matter Sensing for Yield-Based Seeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for variable rate seeding in agriculture require time-consuming soil testing and mapping prior to planting, limiting the ability to adjust seeding rates and soil treatments in real time based on soil organic matter variations.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a soil sensor to measure organic matter in real time, combined with other field attribute data, to determine yield potential and automatically adjust seeding rates, hybrid selection, and soil treatments on-the-go using a processor and display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If soil testing and mapping are performed prior to planting, then seeding rate prescription can be planned in advance, but the process is time intensive and cannot be done in real time during planting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime for soil testing and mappingVSAvoidreal-time adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical soil testing methods with optical sensing technology. The sensor system uses light interaction with soil particles to measure organic matter content in real-time during planting operations, eliminating the need for time-consuming laboratory soil tests and manual mapping processes while enabling continuous real-time adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-measurement of soil organic matter during the planting operation itself, without requiring separate pre-planning phases. The sensor continuously monitors soil conditions as the planter moves through the field, and the system automatically adjusts seeding rates based on real-time measurements, making the planting process self-regulating and adaptive

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If variable rate seeding is implemented, then seeding rates can be adjusted to match soil organic matter variations, but current methods require creation of maps prior to planting which limits flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in adjusting seeding ratesVSAvoidtime for map creation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static pre-planned seeding maps to dynamic real-time adjustment. The sensor continuously measures soil organic matter during planting, and the control system immediately adjusts seeding rates based on current field conditions, allowing the planting strategy to adapt dynamically to variations in soil fertility, terrain, and other field attributes as the planter progresses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

While traditional methods require preliminary map creation, this system performs preliminary calibration and sensor characterization before actual planting. The optical sensor is calibrated and its response characteristics are established in advance, enabling immediate real-time measurements and adjustments during planting without requiring time-consuming field mapping operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12501848B2On the go organic matter sensor and associated systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 AG LEADER TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

An on-the-go planting system utilizing soil organic matter data to prescribed seeding rate, hybrid/variety selection or soil treatment. The system weights at least two field attribute data types, such as soil organic matter data and normalized yield data to prescribe one or more outcomes. The system can also generate a yield potential value so as to prescribe the outcomes.