Use of Prescription Maps to Reduce Chemical Inputs for Growing Corn, Soybeans, Cotton and Wheat

摘要

This paper will discuss the use of a map to prescribe or apply chemicals only where they are needed within a specific field. A five year research and applications program was conducted in the United States to reduce herbicides, insecticides and plant growth regulators needed to grow corn, soybeans, cotton and wheat. Farming with prescription maps uses three technologies: 1) remote sensing to locate the problem areas within a field and severity of each area; 2) the remotely sensed image is placed in a GIS to generate the prescription map and; 3) GPS is used to provide the position of the spray equipment as it moves across the field. This work was conducted using experimental designs that incorporated procedures to determine the economic impact to the farmer. The majority of this work was conducted on operational farms that directly involved farm managers. Automated techniques were developed that generated and sent a prescription map over the internet upon request by the farmer. The benefits of prescription farming are: 1) decreased amounts of chemical applied to a field; 2) increased net profit to the farmer due to lower chemical costs; 3) reduced environmental concern because of less chemical applied. Results from this research and applications program have been commercialized by the private sector. In 2006 farmers in 17 states received prescription maps to grow field crops, fruits, nuts and vegetables.