1. Sensing Resolution in Corn
Kyle Freeman
Soil 4213

2. Objectives of the Precision Sensing Team at Oklahoma State University
Determine suitable resolution for corn to efficiently and economically sense and fertilize on the go using Greenseeker™ lighted sensors.

3. Hypotheses
It is possible to accurately predict final yield on a by-plant basis.
Corn should be treated similar to winter wheat, sensing and treating each square meter.
The sensing resolution of corn should be large including by row for a set distance, or even larger than that like x-rows by y-distance.

4. Spatial Variability in Soils
Raun et al. (1998) found significant differences in mobile an immobile nutrients on a sub-meter scale.
Solie et al. (1999) stated that in order to describe the variability encountered in the field, measurements should made at the submeter level.

5. Resolution in Winter Wheat
Raun et al. (2001) showed the ability to predict yield on 2m x 2m areas by taken the sum of two NDVI reading and dividing it by the GDDs between the two readings.
Lukina et al. (2001) showed a stronger correlation between yield and one NDVI reading divided by the total number days from planting where GDD>0.

6. Wheat Resolution cont.
Raun et al. (2002) demonstrated that sensing and treating 1m2 areas could increase yields decrease N inputs and increase NUE.

7. Methods to Determine Field Resolution in Corn.
Environments
Dryland
Irrigated
Varieties
Hybrids and open pollinated varieties
Maturities
GMO’s and conventional
Nutrient status
Nitrogen
Micronutrients

8. Methods cont. Plant architecture Engineering issues
Large plants and rooting zones
During sensing period do not have 100% ground cover.
Engineering issues
By plant sensing and treating is a possibility
Where to apply fertilizer (foliar or to the soil)
What types of fertilizer can we apply (liquids, solids, and AA)

9. Methods cont. Agronomy issues
Determining algorithms that work across hybrids and environments
Determining the most efficient and practical means to apply nitrogen fertilizer to maize to increase yield and NUE.
To continually destroy all new sensing equipment developed by the engineers.

10. What about other Research
University of Nebraska
Using aerial imaging at a 0.5 m2 resolution
Ground rig sense and treat applicator operates at approximately 9 m2
Everybody else
Who knows
Currently not much work on fertilizing small scale resolution in corn.

11. Expected Results Who Knows! That is why I have a job.
A reliable algorithm and N management strategy will be developed at OSU by the Precision Ag Sensing team.
Small scale resolution will be essential to making precision ag technology work in corn.

12. Importance to Precision Ag
Precision Ag Technologies will be advancing in Maize and Greenseeker and OSU wants to be a part of it.
Corn precision ag systems will drive the industry to adapt new technologies.
Due to higher input costs
More intensively managed.

13. Questions?