Crop Yield Component Mapping for Variable Nitrogen Application
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Applying nitrogen uniformly across a farming field is inefficient and costly, as it does not account for varying crop yields and resource needs in different field portions.
Innovation Solution
A system generates a crop yield component map based on historical agricultural data, mapping plant part metrics and nitrogen application amounts for each field portion, allowing for targeted nitrogen application at different stages of the agricultural cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If nitrogen is applied uniformly across the field, then crop growth is supported throughout the field, but nitrogen usage efficiency decreases and waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The field is divided into multiple zones based on yield component data, and nitrogen application rates are varied by zone rather than applied uniformly. This segmentation allows precise targeting of nitrogen to areas where it is most needed, improving usage efficiency while maintaining operational feasibility through zone-based management.
Solution Approach 2:
Different nitrogen application rates are applied to different field zones based on their specific yield component characteristics. High-yield-potential zones receive higher nitrogen rates while low-potential zones receive reduced rates, optimizing nitrogen efficiency locally across the field rather than using a single uniform rate.
2Productivity
If nitrogen is applied in higher amounts, then crop yield increases, but cost of production increases due to nitrogen being expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Nitrogen is applied at full or elevated rates only in field zones with high yield component potential, while reduced rates are applied in zones with lower potential. This partial application strategy maintains high yields in productive zones while reducing total nitrogen quantity and cost across the entire field.
Solution Approach 2:
The nitrogen application rate parameter is varied spatially across the field based on yield component zone classification. By changing the application rate parameter from uniform to variable, the system optimizes both crop yield and nitrogen quantity used, reducing costs while maintaining productivity in key zones.
3Measurement precision
If detailed crop yield component mapping is performed, then nitrogen application precision improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Crop yield component data is collected and analyzed in advance of the growing season to create zone maps that guide nitrogen application. This preliminary mapping action enables precise nitrogen targeting without requiring complex real-time measurement systems during the growing season, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to a system that generates a crop yield component map for a field. The system determines amounts of nitrogen applied to each portion of the field by a set of nitrogen applicator farming machines. The system accesses crop yield data associated with a crop that was grown in the field. The crop yield data was generated by a set of harvester farming machines that travelled through the field and harvested plant parts of the crop. The system determines, by analyzing the crop yield data, plant part metrics for the harvested plant parts in each field portion. The system generates a crop yield component map that maps, for each field portion, a plant part metric associated with the field portion and an amount of nitrogen applied to the field portion. The component map may then be provided for display.