Source: AUBURN UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
PRECISION AGRICULTURE, TENNESSEE VALLEY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION CENTER, ALABAMA
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0191941
Grant No.
2002-38872-01341
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
2002-06223
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jun 1, 2002
Project End Date
May 31, 2005
Grant Year
2002
Program Code
[PS]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
108 M. WHITE SMITH HALL
AUBURN,AL 36849
Performing Department
AGRONOMY & SOILS
Non Technical Summary
The purpose of this project is to increase the economic viability of agriculture in the Tennessee Valley Region of Alabama.
Animal Health Component
90%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
5%
Applied
90%
Developmental
5%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1010199206110%
1017210206110%
1027210206110%
2051510106010%
2051542106010%
2051710106030%
2057210106010%
4025210202010%
Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 205 - Plant Management Systems; 101 - Appraisal of Soil Resources; 402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment;

Subject Of Investigation
1510 - Corn; 1542 - Soft red wheat; 0199 - Soil and land, general; 5210 - Fertilizers; 7210 - Remote sensing equipment and technology; 1710 - Upland cotton;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 1060 - Biology (whole systems); 2061 - Pedology;
Goals / Objectives
Farming systems in the Tennessee Valley region of Alabama have reached a crossroad. It is clear that the development of sustainable systems for this region require more intensive research on various innovative aspects of agriculture in this region. The Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center (TVS), located near Belle Mina, AL, is the hub of cotton research conducted by Auburn University. In order to meet today's challenges, the TVC needs state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Recent products of the space industry offer potential solutions to agricultural problems. For example, geospatial technologies, including global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), and remote sensing (RS), have already been shown to have widespread application in agriculture. These technologies are used in crop yield mapping, weed control, the variable rate application of lime, fertilizers, pesticides, and water. Although research has been conducted in the Midwest on the application of these technologies, more research for southern crops such as cotton are needed.
Project Methods
Experiment 1) Correlation of soil test values, electrical conductivity mapping, and soil maps with cotton yield data. Development of agronomic management zones for precision agriculture. Experiment 2) (continuation of 2001 experiment) Evaluation of the interactions between tillage systems and irrigation on crop-soil moisture relationships and cotton productivity. This experiment will be designed to evaluate the interactive effects of tillage systems and irrigation on cotton productivity. Main plots [Tillage Systems] 1. Conventional tillage without paratilling 2. Conventional tillage with paratilling 3. No-tillage with rye cover crop without paratilling 4. No-tillage with rye cover crop with fall paratilling Subplots [Irrigation Regime] 1. 0 gpm 2. 2 gpm 3. 4 gpm 4. 6 gpm Experiment 3) Evaluate the utility of depicting cotton moisture status/stress using remote sensing data and thermometry. Experiment 4) Evaluate the inherent productivity of soils for more efficient allocation of soil nutrients. For this experiment, we will evaluate yield data (corn, wheat and soybean) collected for several common soils of the region. Experiment 5) Development of automated data acquisition system to monitor machine performance. An automated data acquisition system (DAS) will be assembled and installed on different tractors and cotton harvesters at Belle Mina or at a private farm Experiment 6) Utilization of automated data accession system to determine relationships between machine performance and soil physical conditions. At the completion of operations in each of the four fields described in Experiment 1, the machine performance and location data will be compiled and used to develop maps similar to yield maps. Also, each of the machine performance parameters will be compared with the soil data collected in Experiment 1. 7) Extension Component A precision agriculture website will be established to deliver the results of our precision agriculture research program. A field day will also be conducted at the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center to increase awareness of precision agriculture in the agricultural community. Dr. Mask will also utilize traditional methods such as county meetings and timely information publications to distribute the results from the project.

Progress 06/01/02 to 05/31/05

Outputs
An experiment was conducted at the Tennessee Valley Research Center on a highly variable 5-ha site. Fuzzy k-means clustering of terrain, remote sensing and electrical conductivity data was used to develop zones to compare to soil survey map units. Significant differences in seed cotton yield existed between the drier 2001 and 2002 versus the 2003 season. Yields were significantly different in zones created using all techniques, but differences in fiber length and fiber strength were only observed in zones created from the NDVI. An experiment was utilized to examine how irrigation levels and tillage systems affect cotton yield and fiber quality. Treatments consisted of CT (conventional tillage) with and without fall paratill, and NST (no surface tillage) following a rye cover crop, with and without a fall paratill operation. Irrigation improved ginning percentage two of three years. The NST systems increased lint yields 13% in 2003, while irrigation increased yields 46% and 32% over non irrigated yields in 2002 and 2003, respectively. The aggregate of data indicates an irrigated conservation system, utilizing a cover crop, can improve cotton yields and improve fiber characteristics in the Tennessee Valley region. Four years of corn, soybean, and wheat yield and precipitation data from Lawrence County, AL were analyzed. For corn, in wetter years, the deep red, clayey, well drained upland soils (e.g. Waynesboro- fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Paleudults) are higher yielding than the more poorly drained soils. However, in drier years, soils such as Waynesboro and Decatur have yields as much as 40 % lower than lower lying and more poorly drained soils (e.g. Emory). Waynesboro and Decatur soybean yields decrease 30 -40% in relatively dry years. For wheat, yield differences attributed to soil drainage class and landscape position do not entirely reflect warm season (corn and soybean) patterns. Researchers developed a GPS-based data acquisition system that is a microcontroller based system with analog and digital inputs to record machine and operator parameters during operation. Data are recorded as a text file recording GPS variables such as longitude, latitude, time, speed, and quality parameters. The data acquisition system has been operated using both sub-meter accuracy DGPS as well as low cost consumer DGPS receivers. Testing and use has proved the system is capable of withstanding the harsh working environments of forest operations and agricultural production. Off-the-shelf technology, such as PDAs and in-field data collection software, are unable to provide these characteristics in one package. Tractor drawbar pull data were collected during deep tillage of a 12-acre field in North Alabama. The data were collected with an instrumented three-point-hitch dynamometer that had a two-row subsoiling unit attached. Shanks were placed on 80-inch centers to till in between alternate 40-inch cotton rows. Tillage depth was 15 inches. A database of tractor performance and soil properties information is being used for continuing studies to identify additional machine performance variables that can predict soil conditions.

Impacts
This project will improve agricultural and forest productivity and will result in increased profits for landowners and farmers. It may reduce mileage driven per ton of wood delivered and lower transportation costs. Through on-farm demonstrations of various precision agriculture technologies, increased adoption of these technologies will occur. Machine and equipment management, such as reduced in-field time and fuel consumption, can be improved by utilizing data from the tractor pullbar experiment. The GPS-based data acquisition has filled a niche for a ruggedized, low-cost way to electronically archive data for a variety of equipment. Various methods for zone delineation have been proven valid. Research showing that irrigated conservation tillage systems can improve yields and fiber quality will lead to increased adoption of conservation tillage techniques.

Publications

  • Adrian, A.M., C. Dillard, and P.L. Mask. 2004. GIS in Agriculture. p. 324-342. In J. Pick (ed.) GIS in Business. Idea Group, Inc. Hershey, PA.
  • Dillard, C., 2004. In-Home Wireless Networking. In: R. WILLIAMSON, ed. Management of Telecommunications. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 698-702.
  • Dillard, C., and Mask, P.L. E-Commerce and Alabama Farmers. 2002. Timely Information, Agronomy and Soils Series, Agriculture and Natural Resources.
  • Dillard, C., Norwood, S., and P.L. Mask. 2004. Spatial Technology Training Workshop (Baldwin County). Auburn University, AL.
  • Norwood, S., Dillard, C. 2004. Precision Agriculture Reference Materials. (Lawrence and Henry Counties). Auburn University, AL.
  • Dillard, C., 2004. Introduction to the iPAQ Handheld Computer (University of Georgia, NESPAL). Auburn University, AL.
  • Dillard, C. and Rodekohr, D. 2004. Software for Soil and Water Management (Santee, South Carolina; Certified Crop Advisers Meeting). Auburn University, AL.
  • Dillard, C., H. van Riessen, and P.L. Mask. 2003. Geospatial Training Workshop (Clemson University). Auburn University, AL.
  • Dillard, C., H. van Riessen, and P.L. Mask. 2003. Geospatial Training Workshop (University of Georgia). Auburn University, AL.
  • Norwood, S.H., Mask, P.L., and C. Dillard. 2003. Implementation of a Site-Specific Pesticide and Nutrient Management Extension Program. Southern Region Extension Water Quality Conference. Ruidoso, NM. October 19-22, 2003.
  • Norwood, S.H., Hall, M.H., Britnell, R.W., Grissom, C., Potter, J.H., Dillard, C., and Mask, P.L. 2003. Spatial Variability of Soil Nutrients in Alabama Wheat Fields. p. 16. The 6th Annual National Wheat Industry Research Forum. Albuquerque, NM. January 26-31, 2003.
  • Sullivan, D.G., J. N. Shaw, P. L. Mask, D. Rickman, E. A. Guertal, J. Luvall, and J. M. Wersinger. 2004. Evaluation of Multispectral Data for Rapid Assessment of Wheat Straw Residue Cover. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 68: 2007-2013.
  • Sullivan, D.G, J.N. Shaw, P.L. Mask, D.L. Rickman, J. Luvall, and J.M. Wersinger. 2004. Evaluating Corn (Zea Mays L.) N Variability Via Remote Sensed Data. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 35(17/18) :2465-2483.
  • Thompson, A.N., J.N. Shaw, P.L. Mask, J.T. Touchton and D. Rickman. 2004. Soil sampling techniques for Alabama grain fields. Prec. Ag. 5:345-358.
  • Shaw, J.N. and P.L. Mask. 2003. Crop residue effects on electrical conductivity of Tennessee Valley soils. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 34:747-763.
  • Sullivan, D.G., P.Mask, J.N.Shaw, D. Rickman, J. Luvall, J.M. Wersinger, and C. Dillard. 2002. Monitoring Residue Cover Using Airborne Remote Sensing. p. 59. In 2002 Abstracts for the 5th Annual National Wheat Industry Research Forum.
  • Sullivan, D.G., P.Mask, J.N.Shaw, D. Rickman, J. Luvall, J.M. Wersinger, and C. Dillard. 2001. Airborne Remote Sensing of Surface Soil Properties. p. 54. In 2001 Abstracts for the 4th Annual National Wheat Industry Research Forum.
  • Sullivan, D.G., J.N. Shaw, P. Mask, E. Guertal, M. Norfleet, J. Luvall, D. Rickman, and J.M. Wersinger. 2001. Remote Sensing of Crop Residue Cover. In 2001 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
  • Thompson, A.N., J.N. Shaw, P.L. Mask and J.T. Touchton. 2001. Gird and Directed Soil Sampling of Two Alabama Grain Fields. In 2001 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
  • Sullivan, D.G., J.N. Shaw, P.Mask, D. Rickman, J. Luvall, J.M. Wersinger, and C. Dillard. 2000. Estimating Soil Organic Matter Distribution in a Conservation Tillage System Via Remotely Sensed Data Analysis. p. 67. In 2000 Abstracts for the National Wheat Industry Research Forum.
  • Sullivan, D.G., J.N. Shaw, P.L. Mask, D. Rickman, J.Luvall and J.M. Wersinger. 2000. High resolution remote sensing for evaluation of soil properties. p.300. In 2000 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
  • Sullivan, D.G., J.N. Shaw, P.L. Mask, D. Rickman, J. Luvall, and J.M. Wersinger. 2004. Remote Sensing of NearSurface Soil Properties Via the Airborne Terrestrial Applications System. In Technical Summary Digest, 2004 SPIE 49th annu. meet., International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, Denver, Colorado. 26 Aug 2004.
  • Sullivan, D.G., J.N. Shaw, P.L. Mask, D. Rickman, J. Luvall, J.M. Wersinger and M.L. Norfleet. 2002. Quantifying Residue Coverage via Handheld and Aircraft Remote Sensing Platforms. p.207-212. IN E. van Santen (ed.). 2002. Making Conservation Tillage Conventional: Building a Future on 25 Years of Research. Proc. of 25th Annual Southern Conservation Tillage Conference for Sustainable Agriculture. Auburn, AL 24-26 June 2002. Special Report no. 1. Alabama Agric. Expt. Stn. and Auburn University, AL 36849. USA.
  • Sullivan, D.G., J.N. Shaw, P.L. Mask, and J.M. Wersinger. 2002. Using IKONOS imagery to predict soil properties in two physiographic regions of Alabama. In 2002 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
  • Sullivan, D.G., P. Mask, J.N. Shaw, D. Rickman, J. Luvall, and J.M. Wersinger. 1999. Utilization of geospatial applications to enhance crop production and environmental quality. p. 332. In 1999 Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.


Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
In 2003, we continued research on the interaction of tillage and irrigation on cotton productivity. Analyses of these data are ongoing. We continued work on the inherent productivity of three cotton fields on the Tennessee Valley Substation as a function of soil and landscapes. Management zones were constructed within a GIS using terrain attributes, a detailed soil survey, and Veris Electrical Conductivity data as input variables. A clustering algorithm was used to create the management zones. Within the zones, soil moisture, plant temperature data, node counts, and yield data were collected. Significant differences in yield data were observed between zones. Analyses of 2003 data interactions are ongoing. A graduate student has been recruited to begin work on precision forestry. Researchers have worked cooperatively with forest industry companies to develop a new ground-based precision herbicide spraying system. Auburn faculty and students developed the design for the spray tanks and assisted in the development of the geospatial control system. The prototype sprayer is currently being tested. In the first stage of developing yield mapping techniques, researchers tested conceptual designs for a tree diameter sensor and selected a technology for initial field testing. A graduate student is refining measurement capabilities of the optical diameter sensor, which will be incorporated in a system and tested on a feller-buncher. Prior to the sensor tests, work will be completed using GPS to assess machine orientation. A mobile data acquisition system has been built and used to measure geospatial variation in whole-body vibration of skidder operators. This system maps terrain influences on operators as the machines move through the forest, and will help equipment manufacturers improve the safety and comfort of the operator enclosures on forest machines. Results were presented at the annual Council on Forest Engineering meeting. Studies on log transport systems have begun with a survey of loggers to determine state-of-the-art in truck and transport logistics technology. Researchers hope to determine what barriers there are to using a pooled truck dispatch system for moving logs from the woods to mills. Two presentations were made by the Precision Agriculture Team at the Belle Mina field tour for the Alabama Seedsman's Association and the Alabama Agricultural Chemical & Fertilizer Dealers Association group. A precision agriculture overview was presented at the Alabama Cotton Field Day at the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center. A presentation was made on conventional, grid, and directed soil sampling to the Alabama Crop Management Association Certified Crop Advisors and NRCS Technical Service Providers. The use of remote sensing to develop management zones was also discussed. Science students from the Alabama Magnet School were also introduced to these technologies in a presentation at the ALRIC Lab on the campus of Auburn University. Two day workshops were held at Clemson University and at the Griffin campus of the University of Georgia for Extension agents.

Impacts
This project will improve agricultural and forest productivity and will result in increased profits for landowners and farmers. It may reduce mileage driven per ton of wood delivered and lower transportation costs.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
A precision agriculture demonstration and research site was established on the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center in Belle Mina, Alabama. A cotton picker was modified to include a cotton yield monitor and a bagging and weighing system capable of measuring small plot yield. A sprayer was equipped with a lightbar guidance assist system. A variable rate nitrogen applicator was assembled and utilized to establish 2 variable rate nitrogen tests on cotton and corn. A Terradox GPS Synthetic Vision Guidance System was installed on a tractor to test and demonstrate assisted guidance systems.All of this equipment was used both to conduct research and to use for demonsrations at 2 workshops, a field day and numerous visits by local farmers and farm advisors. Ten handheld computers were purchased and equipped with GPS systems and precision agriculture software. These were used for Precision agriculture workshops and were assigned to county Extension agents for county precision agriculture projects. Six agents participated in a nutrient and pH survey of wheat fields in 5 counties.

Impacts
Increased awarness of precision technologies by farmers, farm advisors, and the general public. Increased adoption of precision agriculture technologies. Increased profitability of farmers and decreased risk of adverse enviromental effects of nutrient and chemical applications.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period