Prescriptive Seed Treatment for Potency and Field-Specific Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seed treatment practices are inefficient, often leading to reduced potency of substances, uneven distribution, and environmental concerns, while failing to tailor treatments to specific field conditions and dynamic weather, and lack the ability to apply less durable biological alternatives effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for prescriptive seed treatment that selects and applies seed treatment substances based on real-time conditions, enabling precise application of seed and seed treatment combinations during planting, reducing reliance on chemicals, and minimizing dust-off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If seed treatment substances are applied well prior to planting (upstream treatment), then seed companies generate significant additional revenues and can invest in treatment equipment, but the potency of substances decreases over time and treatments cannot be tailored to specific field conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary field assessments and creates treatment prescriptions before planting season, then stores these prescriptions for later execution. This allows treatment decisions to be made in advance based on field conditions while maintaining the option to apply substances closer to planting time, thus preserving potency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts treatment applications based on real-time conditions at the time of planting. Rather than static pre-applied treatments, the system can modify or reapply treatments closer to planting based on current field conditions, weather forecasts, and pest pressure assessments, maintaining both revenue opportunities and substance effectiveness.
2Productivity
If seed treatment substances are applied well prior to planting (upstream treatment), then seed companies can maximize treatment efficiency and profitability, but the applicability and relevance of treatments decreases by planting time
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the seed treatment process into distinct phases: field assessment, prescription creation, and execution at planting. This allows treatment decisions to be customized for each field and even each planting operation, improving adaptability while maintaining operational efficiency through standardized procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where field conditions, weather data, and pest monitoring information continuously inform treatment decisions. This feedback mechanism ensures treatments remain relevant and applicable by adjusting prescriptions based on actual conditions observed closer to planting time.
3Productivity
If seeds are treated in large batches with the same treatment materials, then treatment application is more efficient and profitable, but treatment decisions overlook specific farmer and field needs resulting in uneven distribution and substance loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different treatment materials and rates to different fields or even different areas within a field based on specific local conditions such as soil type, historical pest pressure, and crop variety. This localized approach ensures each area receives the precise treatment it needs, improving both effectiveness and distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system varies treatment parameters such as substance type, application rate, and timing based on specific field characteristics and conditions. By adjusting these parameters locally rather than applying uniform treatments, the system achieves better distribution uniformity and reduces substance loss from shedding.
4Productivity
If batch application of substances is used, then large-scale treatment is more efficient, but uneven distribution occurs within the batch and substances are lost through shedding and collision
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares and stages treatment materials in advance based on prescriptions, then applies them in controlled portions during planting operations. This preliminary preparation allows for precise application rates and reduces the need for large-scale batch mixing that causes substance loss through seed-to-seed contact and shedding.
Data Source
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Figure 2A
AI summary
An improved method for prescriptive seed treatment is provided. A location can be calculated where a combination of seed and one or more types and/or amounts of seed applied substances will be planted by a planter (10). The combination is selected, based at least in part, on one or more conditions. The combination is generated prior to being planted. The method can further include selecting a type of seed and/or a type and/or amount of the one or more seed-applied substances to be applied. One or more applicators (42) can apply the seed-applied substance(s) to the seed within a seed flow path during operation. A plurality of seed receptacles (20, 24) can contain different combinations of seed and/or seed-applied substances generated prior to being placed into the receptacles. The method could further include selecting a seed receptacle containing a selected combination, and delivering the selected combination from the selected seed receptacle to be planted.