Using Variable Rate Seeding and Remote Sensing Technologies to Optimize Corn Yield and Profit on a Farm with Non-Uniform Productivity

摘要

Precision agriculture (PA) allows for marked improvements in efficiency, profitability, and sustainability. Yield monitoring, a major component of PA, offers unprecedented insight into spatial yield variations experienced within fields. By normalizing several seasons of yield data, fanners can identify zones for individual management. Management zone research has mainly focused on nutrients, although benefits are possible in other areas such as variable rate seeding (VRS). This research tested the hypothesis that VRS can maximize yield and profit on a field using management zones. To accomplish this, three previously identified management zones were seeded with corn at three standard rates. Several growth performance parameters were monitored and analyzed to identify differences between treatments. NDVI images were also utilized as another measure of crop vigor. A cost-benefit analysis was used to calculate subsequent treatment efficiencies. Analysis results showed that VRS using management zones provided moderately better returns than uniform rate seeding under similar conditions.