1 / 15

Optimizing Variable Rate Fertilizer Applications: Insights from Oklahoma State University

This presentation by Randy Taylor from Oklahoma State University delves into the complexities of variable rate fertilizer application, focusing on field and equipment scale variability. It examines macro- and micro-variability linked to soil type and landscape position, highlights the challenges of achieving effective liquid and granular delivery systems, and discusses innovations like sub-meter application systems and section control technologies. The aim is to improve resolution in fertilization through better understanding and management of variability and controller performance.

keiko-orr
Télécharger la présentation

Optimizing Variable Rate Fertilizer Applications: Insights from Oklahoma State University

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Variable Rate Fertilizer at Reduced Scales Randy Taylor Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Oklahoma State University 2010 NUE Conference Stillwater, OK

  2. Field Scale Variability • Macro-variability • Likely tied to soil type, landscape position, or something else • Micro-variability

  3. Variability View from Equipment • Longitudinal • Down-the-row • Response time issues • Lateral • Across the boom • Boom divisions A greater distance between the control and delivery points means a lower resolution and increased scale.

  4. Sub-Meter Application System is a Proven Concept

  5. Liquid Systems • The initial sub-meter application system met market resistance • However, sensor based VRA has found commercial success • Section control systems have also renewed the interest in sub-boom width application

  6. Accepted Resolution

  7. Reduced Scale

  8. Liquid Systems • Most commercial rate controllers can be set to about a 2 second response time. • Multiple control sections will require multiple control valves and possibly flow meters. • Pulse width modulation and binary valve systems have promise.

  9. Granular VRT • Granular distribution/delivery systems follow two basic designs • Gate/belt or chain/spinner • Metering wheel/air boom • While both systems can be used for variable rate application, reducing the application scale to a partially width is really not feasible

  10. Spinner Spreaders • Reducing application scales with spinner spreaders is really not feasible. • The material is centrally metered and distributed. • Furthermore, VRA with spinner spreaders is a challenge. • Spread distribution patterns are typically a function of flow rate onto the spinner

  11. Air Boom Systems • The material is centrally metered, but patterns are created locally. • The primary challenge is lag time from the metering system to the point of application

  12. Potential Solutions • The central hopper/conveying system might be a good model to follow

  13. Section Control System Speed

  14. Rate Controllers and Tuning • Prescriptions should not be developed without considering rate controller performance. • Worry about the macro variability within the field. • Are you capturing the general trend?

  15. Questions Randy Taylor Randy.Taylor@okstate.edu 405-744-5431

More Related