US 2020/0349656 A1 · PROCESS FOR SENSING-BASED CROP NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT USING LIMITING-RATE ESTIMATION AND YIELD RESPONSE PREDICTION

Abstract

A sensing-based process for managing nutrient fertilization in crops. This invention uses reference plots in a field, fertilized at different pre-plant rates, including at least one plot fertilized at a lower rate than the majority of the field. Measurements from the plots are used to estimate the Current Limiting Rate (CLR), which is the lowest non-limiting nutrient rate at the time of sensing. Preferred embodiments are presented specifically for managing nitrogen in rain-fed and irrigated corn. These embodiments use the CLR, along with a model for CLR movement with time to determine nutrient rates for mid-season treatments that achieve specified yield-based or profit-based objectives. This invention's novel use of low-rate reference plots to estimate the CLR enable the detection of stress before the main area of a field is impacted, allowing for advance planning and intervention without sacrificing yield potential.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method for determining a mid-season fertilizer application rate for a nutrient for a managed area within a field containing a crop, comprising:

a) creating reference plots with different, known, pre-plant nutrient rates, including at least 1 plot fertilized at a lower rate than a majority of the managed area;
b) estimating yield at a specified, low nutrient rate;
c) estimating yield at a high, non-limiting nutrient rate;
d) measuring a sensor-based reading of crop health or vigor in the reference plots created in (a) and elsewhere in the managed area;
e) using the measurements from (d) to estimate a Current Limiting Rate (CLR) for the nutrient;
f) using the CLR estimate from (e) and a model for movement of the CLR with time for the crop to predict a Yield Response To Nutrient (YRTN) function;
g) using the predicted YRTN function from (f) to estimate a nutrient rate that achieves a yield-related or profit-related objective;
and
h) using the nutrient rate computed in (g) to design one or more mid-season nutrient treatments.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Process for sensing-based crop nutrient management using limiting-rate estimation and yield response prediction

Life of this patent

Process for sensing-based crop nutrient management using limiting-rate estimation and yield response prediction

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18