Variable Rate Technologies

By: Sheeba Ashraf

Rashid Nawaz
Slide:1

Introduction
• SSCM

– Site-specific crop management

– Use of crop and soil variability to precisely apply products

• VRA

– Variable-rate Application

• VRT

– Variable-rate Technology

Slide:2

Options For Implementation

• Two methods for implementation

– Map-based VRA

– Sensor-based VRA

Slide:3

Map-based VRA
• Adjusts application rate based on a digital map of field properties

• Must be able to determine machine position within the field

• Application Rate
 – Volume/Weight applied/unit area

– Look ahead

Slide: 4

Benefits of Map-based Systems

• Lack of sensors for monitoring soil and plant conditions

• Application amounts can be determined in the office

• Time lag between sampling and application

• Potential to use “ look ahead” techniques

Slide:5

Drawbacks of Map-based Systems

• Require a positioning system and to produce application maps

• Sampling data must be Collected, stored and Processed

• Application errors can occur due to the recording of sampling sites locations and
applicator’s positions.

Slide: 6

Sensor-based VRA
• Uses data from real-time sensors

• Controlled Electronically and automatically

• Real-time sensors

• Control on-the-go Measure

– Soil properties

– Crop characteristics

– Environmental conditions

Slide: 7
VRA Components

• Sensors

– Positioning – Map-based

– Soil/plant – Sensor-based

– Pressure/flow

– Ground speed

• Controller

• Actuators

Slide:8
Examples:

Positioning system
 Soil and Plant Sensors

Pressure sensor for Spray and Fertilizer’s

applications
 Speed Sensors

Slide 9

Future Application of VRT

• Planting

– Soil moisture sensing planters

• Tillage

– Conservation tillage systems

• Manure Application

– Animal manure

• Pest Management

– Sensors that identify weeds

• Crop Diagnosis

– Diseases or nutrient deficiencies

• Water and Irrigation Systems

 – In-field sensors for measuring soil moisture

Slide: 10

Future Needs
• Crop Response Models

– Testing of different crop management strategies before going to the field

• Standardization

– Manufacture standards

• Made of components that work together without user modification