Progress 12/01/00 to 11/30/03
Outputs
For two years, the field scale (60 foot boom) on-the-go variable N rate applicator has been tested in farmer fields in Oklahoma. Averaged over all sites, treating each 0.4m2 (independent sensor and nozzling systems each 24 inches) resulted in decreased applied N rates and increased wheat grain yields. Averaged over locations, this represented a net increase in revenue of between $10.00 and $18.00/acre. Sensor-based, variable N rate applicators can deliver regulated N rates in environmentally sensitive areas, without sacrificing cereal yield levels. This entire concept (sense each area and fertilize based on needs) delivers two very important components to the cereal (wheat, corn, rice) production system. First, this technology will decrease the environmental risk associated with the application of N fertilizers, and secondly, it will increase cereal production using less fertilizer nitrogen. Over sites, nitrogen use efficiency increased from 33% to over 55%. Similar
systems are now being tested in corn, whereby, by-plant fertilizer N rates are applied. Lastly, this system will deliver improved food security by applying fertilizer N when it is needed and where it is needed the most.
Impacts
Design and construct a field scale, integral-lighting, high resolution, optical sensor/variable applicator for N fertilizer application at 0.4m2 resolution. Determine the agronomic and economic cost/benefits of the high resolution, integral lighting system compared to other optical sensor based systems. Extend this information to wheat producers.
Publications
- Mullen, R.W., Kyle W. Freeman, William R. Raun, G.V. Johnson, M.L. Stone, and J.B. Solie. 2003. Identifying an in-season response index and the potential to increase wheat yield with nitrogen. Agron. J. 95:347-351.
- Moges, S.M., W.R. Raun, R.W. Mullen, K.W. Freeman, G.V. Johnson, and J.B. Solie. 2003. Evaluation of green, red and near infrared bands for predicting winter wheat biomass, nitrogen uptake, and final grain yield. J. Plant Nutr. (in press).
- Raun, W.R., J.B. Solie, K.L. Martin, K.W. Freeman, M.L. Stone, K.L. Martin, G.V. Johnson, and R.W. Mullen. 2003. Growth stage, development, and spatial variability in corn evaluated using optical sensor readings. J. Plant Nutr. (in press).
- Hodgen, P.J., W.R. Raun, G.V. Johnson, R.K. Teal, K.W. Freeman, K.B. Brixey, K. L. Martin, J.B. Solie and M.L. Stone. 2003. Relationship between response indices measured in-season and at harvest in winter wheat. J. Plant Nutr. (in press).
- Raun, W.R., J.B. Solie, M.L. Stone, K.L. Martin, K.W. Freeman, R.W. Mullen, H. Zhang J.S. Schepers, and G.V. Johnson. 2004. Optical sensor based algorithm for crop nitrogen fertilization. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. (in press).
- Raun, W.R., J.B. Solie, M.L. Stone, K.W. Freeman. 2004. Automated calibration stamp technology for improved in-season nitrogen fertilization. Agron. J. (in press).
- Girma, Kefyalew, J. Mosali, W.R. Raun, K.W. Freeman, J.B. Solie and M.L. Stone. 2004. Identification of optical spectral signatures for detecting cheat and ryegrass in winter wheat. J. Plant Nutr. (in press)
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
In the spring of 2002, we completely tested a field scale (60 foot boom) on-the-go variable N rate applicator in 10 farmer fields in Oklahoma. Averaged over all ten sites, treating each 0.4m2 (independent sensor and nozzling systems each 24 inches) resulted in decreased applied N rates and increased wheat grain yields. Over sites, this represented a net increase in revenue of $18.00/acre. Sensor-based, variable N rate applicators could deliver regulated N rates in environmentally sensitive areas, without sacrificing cereal yield levels. For the trials where we have tested this technology, the increased yields and decreased rates were a function of recognizing and treating spatial variability present in farmer fields and by applying N to each 0.4m2 based on that areas 'yield potential' and a response index determined for each field, each year. In addition to decreasing surface N runoff in lakes and streams, this is a viable and adoptable farmer-friendly technology that
could assist in decreasing hypoxia in problem areas.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Woolfolk, C.W., W.R. Raun, G.V. Johnson, W.E. Thomason, R.W. Mullen, and K.J. Wynn. 2002. Influence of late-season foliar nitrogen applications on yield and grain nitrogen in winter wheat. Agron. J. 94:429-434.
- Johnson, G.V., and W.R. Raun. 2002. Nitrogen response index as a guide to fertilizer management. J. Plant Nutr. (in press)
- Mullen, R.W., Kyle W. Freeman, William R. Raun, G.V. Johnson, M.L. Stone, and J.B. Solie. 2002. Use of an in-season response index to predict potential yield increases from applied nitrogen. Agron. J. (in press)
- Freeman, K.W., R.W. Mullen, G.V. Johnson, M.L. Stone, J.B. Solie and W.R. Raun. 2002. Late-season prediction of wheat grain yield and grain protein. J. Plant Nutr. (in press)
- Thomason, W.E., W.R. Raun, G.V. Johnson, K.W. Freeman, K.J. Wynn, and R.W. Mullen. 2002. Production system techniques to increase nitrogen use efficiency in winter wheat. J. Plant Nutr. 25: (in press).
- Washmon, C.N., J.B. Solie, W.R. Raun, and D.D. Itenfisu. 2002. Within field variability in wheat grain yields over nine years in Oklahoma. J. Plant. Nutr. 25: (in press).
- Needham, D.L., S.D. Reed, M.L. Stone, J.B. Solie, K.W. Freeman, and W.R. Raun. 2002. Development of a robust precision fertilizer application system utilizing real-time, ground-based optical sensors and fluid application control. Trans. ASAE (in press).
- Raun, W.R., K.W. Freeman, R.W. Mullen, J.B. Solie, M.L. Stone, and G.V. Johnson. 2002. Growth stage, development, and spatial variability in corn evaluated using optical sensor r
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Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01
Outputs
On October 15th, Oklahoma State University entered into a formal agreement with NTech Industries to construct variable N rate applicators for cereal crop production. The prototype applicator that was unveiled at the signing ceremony is capable of sensing and treating each 1 square meter, on-the-go at 15 miles per hour. Parallel work in Mexico and Oklahoma has been successful in identifying improved NUE lines. A lighted sensor has been developed using 671 and 780 nm pulsed lighting (subtracting out sunlight) that is fully operation irrespective of the time of day or night. From field experiments conducted using our latest nitrogen fertilization algorithm (NFOA), NUE was improved by more than 15% when N fertilization was based on optically sensed INSEY, determined for each 1m2 area, and a response index (RI) when compared to traditional practices at uniform N rates. These methods show promise in both increasing cereal grain yields and decreasing fertilizer N rates known
to contribute to hypoxia.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- 1. Thomason, W.E., W.R. Raun, G.V. Johnson, K.W. Freeman, K.J. Wynn, and R.W. Mullen. 2002. Production system techniques to increase nitrogen use efficiency in winter wheat. J. Plant Nutr. 25: (in press).
- 2. Raun, W.R., J.B. Solie, G.V. Johnson, M.L. Stone, R.W. Mullen, K.W. Freeman, W.E. Thomason, and E.V. Lukina. 2002. Improving nitrogen use efficiency in cereal grain production with optical sensing and variable rate application. Agron. J. (in press)
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