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Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons

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Soil Science

Iowa State University

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 4 of 4

Full-Text Articles in Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering

Sensors For Site-Specific Management, Stuart J. Birrell, J. W. Hummel, K. A. Sudduth Jan 1997

Sensors For Site-Specific Management, Stuart J. Birrell, J. W. Hummel, K. A. Sudduth

Stuart J. Birrell

Site-specific management (SSM, also known as precision farming, precision agriculture, prescription farming, etc.) is a management strategy that seeks to address within-field variability and to optimize inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers on a point-by-point basis within a field. By reducing over-application and under-application of nutrients and pesticides, this strategy has the potential to improve profitability for the producer and also to reduce the threat of groundwater or surface water contamination from agrichemicals. SSM is being adopted by innovative producers across the country. Agricultural equipment manufacturers, farm input suppliers, and a host of other businesses are working along with publicsector …


Nutrient Mapping Implications Of Short-Range Variability, Stuart J. Birrell Jan 1996

Nutrient Mapping Implications Of Short-Range Variability, Stuart J. Birrell

Stuart J. Birrell

Successful site specific nutrient application depends on accurate soil nutrient maps, which are generally developed from grid samples. The implication of short range variability for soil nutrient mapping is investigated. Interpretation of soil nutrient maps must consider the level of confidence associated with estimated values.


Analysis Of Spatial Factors Influencing Crop Yield, K. A. Sudduth, S. T. Drummond, Stuart J. Birrell, N. R. Kitchen Jan 1996

Analysis Of Spatial Factors Influencing Crop Yield, K. A. Sudduth, S. T. Drummond, Stuart J. Birrell, N. R. Kitchen

Stuart J. Birrell

The spatial relationship between crop yields and soil and site parameters was modeled using several methods. Yield maps estimated by projection pursuit regression and neural network analysis agreed well with measured yields. These methods also allowed generation of response curves for estimated yield as a function of each of the input parameters. These response curves were useful for investigating the relationship between yields and individual soil and site parameters.


Comparison Of Variable Rate To Single Rate Nitrogen Fertilizer Application: Corn Production And Residual Soil No3-N, N. R. Kitchen, D. F. Hughes, K. A. Sudduth, Stuart J. Birrell Jan 1995

Comparison Of Variable Rate To Single Rate Nitrogen Fertilizer Application: Corn Production And Residual Soil No3-N, N. R. Kitchen, D. F. Hughes, K. A. Sudduth, Stuart J. Birrell

Stuart J. Birrell

The questions most often asked by farmers when discussing variable rate (VR) fertilizer inputs are "How much will it cost?" and "How will it affect my yields?" Many farmers and custom application services share a reluctance to invest in the time and technology required for variable fertilizer application since studies to answer these questions are few and results have been inconsistent.