Variable rate fertilizer application technology for nutrient management: A review

Pranav Pramod Pawase, Sachin Madhukar Nalawade, Girishkumar Balasaheb Bhanage, Avdhoot Ashok Walunj, Pravin Bhaskar Kadam, Anil G Durgude, Mahesh G Patil

Abstract


The efficient and effective application of fertilizers to crops is a major challenge. Conventionally, constant rate or equal dose of fertilizer is applied to each plant. Constant rate fertilizer application across entire field can result in over or under incorporation of nutrients. Fertilizer application is influenced by soil parameters as well as geographical variation in the field. The nutrient management depends on selection of nutrient, application rate and placement of nutrient at the optimal distance from the crop and soil depth. Variable rate technology (VRT) is an input application technology that allows for the application of inputs at a certain rate, time, and place based on soil properties and spatial variation in the field or plants. There are two approaches for implementing VRT, one is sensor based and another is map based. The sensor based approach; with suitable sensors, measures the soil and crop characteristics on-the-go calculating the amount of nutrients required per unit area/plant and micro controlling unit which uses suitable algorithms for controlling the flow of fertilizer with required amount of nutrient. In map based approach; Grid sampling and soil analysis are used to create a prescription map. According to the soil and crop conditions, the microcontroller regulates the desired application rate. The sensor-based VRT system includes a fertilizer tank, sensors, GPS, microcontroller, actuators, and other components, whereas the map-based system does not require an on-the-go sensor. Both approaches of VRT for fertilizer application in orchards and field crops are reviewed in this paper. The use of this advance technology surely increases the fertilizer use efficiency; improve crop yield and profitability with reduced environment impacts.
Keywords: nutrient sensor, prescription map, spatial variation, VRT
DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20231604.7671

Citation: Pawase P P, Nalawade S M, Bhanage G B, Walunj A A, Kadam P B, Durgude A G, Patil M R. Variable rate fertilizer application technology for nutrient management: A review. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2023; 16(4): 11-19.

Keywords


nutrient sensor, prescription map, spatial variation, VRT

Full Text:

PDF

References


Savci S. Investigation of effect of chemical fertilizers on environment. APCBEE Procedia, 2012; 1: 287-292.

Gellings C, Parmenter K. Energy efficiency in fertilizer production and use. Encycl. Life Support System, 2004; pp.1-15.

Agboola A A, Ray P A. Maintenance of soil fertility under traditional farming systems in: Lombin et al. (eds) Organic fertilizer in the Nigerian agriculture: present and future. Proceedings of a National Organic Fertilizer Seminar, Kaduna, Nigeria, 1989.

Vincent B O, Micheals T M, Stanley M M. Effect of cattle manure application on yield and yield indices of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). Journal of Food Agriculture and Environment, 2005; 3: 125-129.

Mueller N D, Gerber J S, Johnston M, Ray D K, Ramankutty N, Foley J A. Closing yield gaps through nutrient and water management. Nature, 2012; 490: 254-257.

Wang Q, Huang J, He F, Cui K, Zeng J, Nie L, Peng S. Head rice yield of ‘‘super” hybrid rice Liangyoupeijiu grown under different nitrogen rates. Field Crop Res., 2012; 134: 71-79.

Anonymous. Consumption of fertilizers worldwide in 2021, by country. 2021. Retrieved on [2023-01-20]. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1287852/global-consumption-fertilizer-by-country/

Anonymous. Global consumption of agricultural fertilizer from 1965 to 2020, by nutrient. 2023. Retrieved on [2023-01-20]. https://www.statista.com/statistics/438967/fertilizer-consumption-globally-by-nutrient/

Villalobos F J, Sadras V O, Fereres E. Plant density and competition. Springer, In Principles of Agronomy for Sustainable Agriculture, 2016; pp.159-168.

Al-Gaadi K A, Tola E, Alameen A A, Madugundu R, Marey S A, Zeyada A M, Edrris M K. Control and monitoring systems used in variable rate application of solid fertilizers: A review Journal of King Saud University – Science, 2023; 35: 102574.

Chattha H S, Zaman Q U, Chang Y K, Read S, Schumann A W, Brewster G R, Farooque A A. Variable rate spreader for real-time spot-application of granular fertilizer in wild blueberry. Comput. Electron. Agric., 2014; 100: 70-78.

Majumdar D and Gupta N. Nitrate pollution of groundwater and associated human health disorders. Indian J. Environ. Health, 2000; 42: 28-39.

Spalding R F, Exner M E. Occurrence of Nitrate in Groundwater. A Review. J. Environ. Qual., 1993; 22: 392-402.

Ojeniyi S O, Adeniyi M O. Effect of poultry manure and NPK fertilizer on soil fertility and maize nutrient contents and yield at Akra southwestern Nigeria. Proceedings of 25th Annual Conference of Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN). Benin, 1999; pp.185-191.

Ojeniyi S O. Soil management, national resources and environment. Oke-Ado: Adeniran Press, 2002; pp.24-28.

Sönmez I, Kaplan M, Sönmez S. An investigation of seasonal changes in nitrate contents of soils and irrigation waters in greenhouses located in Antalya-Demre Region. Asian Journal of Chemistry, 2007; 19: 5639-5646.

Mackown C T, Sutton T G. Recovery of Fertilizer Nitrogen Applied to Burley Tobacco, 1997; 189: 96.

Tajudeen A I, Azmi Y, Abdul R M, Mohammed S, Samsuzana A A. An RFID-based Variable rate technology fertilizer applicator for tree crops. Journal of Applied Sciences, 2013; 13: 409-415.

Wang G, Hao Y, Chen Y. Research on the model of variable-rate fertilisation in maize based on geographic information system. International Conference on Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 2015; pp.1756-1763.

Spati K, Huber R, Finger R. Benefits of Increasing Information Accuracy in Variable Rate Technologies. Ecological Economics, 2021; 185: 107047.

Al-Gaadi K A, Patil V C, Tola E H, Madugundu R, Marey S A, Al-Omran A, Al-Dosari A. Variable rate application technology for optimizing alfalfa production in arid climate. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2015; 17: 71-79.

Lan Y, Zhang S, Li W, Hoffmann W C, Ma C. Variable rate fertilization for maize and its effects based on the site-specific soil fertility and yield. Agric. Eng. Int. CIGR J. X, 2008; pp.1-10.

El Nahry A, Ali R, El Baroudy A. An approach for precision farming under pivot irrigation system using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Agric. Water Manag, 2011; 98: 517-531.

Grisso R D, Alley M M, Holshouser D L, Thomason W E. Precision farming tools. Soil electrical conductivity. Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009; pp. 1-7.

Ahmad L, Mahdi S S. Variable rate technology and variable rate application. Springer, In Satellite Farming, 2018; pp. 67-80.

Sui R. Performance assessment of a variable-rate fertilizer applicator. J. Agric. Sci., 2019; 11: 25-30.

Ess D R, Morgan M T, Parsons S D. Implementing site-specific management: map-versus sensor-based variable rate application. Pub. No. SSM- 2-W, Site-Specific Management Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 2001; pp.1-9.

Wahid B O, Rahim A S, Tarmizi A M, Basri M W. Variable-rate fertilizer applicator for oil palm. MPOB Information series. Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Malaysia, 2004; 223: 1-4. http://mpob.gov.my.

Yamin M, Wan I W I, Muhamad S M K, Samsuzana A A, Shamshiri R. VRT liquid fertilizer applicator for soil nutrient management. Journal Teknologi (Sciences & Engineering), 2016; 78: 73-78.

Taylor R, Fulton J. Sensor–based variable rate application for cotton. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Oklahoma State University. Stillwater, Oklahoma, 2010; pp.1-8.

Lowenberg D J. The management time economics of on-the-go sensing for nitrogen application. SSMC Newsletter. Site-Specific Management Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. Online, 2004; pp. 1-5.

Sawyer J E. Concepts of variable rate technology with considerations for fertilizer application. Journal of Production Agriculture, 2013; 7: 195-201.

Ambreen N, Narayan S, Baseerat A, Mushtaq F, Mufti S, Ummyiah H M, Malik A. Precision farming in vegetables. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 2017; 6: 370-375.

Ramamurti V, Naidu L G K, Kumar S C R, Srinivas S, Hegde R. Soil-based fertilizer recommendations for precision farming. Current Science, 2009; 97: 641-647.

Sharma S, Sharma R M, Lohan S K. Potential of variable rate application technology in India. Article in AMA, 2014; 45(4): 74-81.

Robert D G, Mark A, Wade T, David H and Gary T R. Precision farming tools: Variable-rate application. Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2011; pp.1-16. http://www.ext.vt.edu.

Guan S, Fukami K, Matsunaka H, Okami M, Tanaka R, Nakano H, Sakai T, Nakano K, Ohdan H, Takahashi K. Assessing correlation of high resolution NDVI with fertilizer application level and yield of rice and wheat crops using small UAVs. Remote Sens. (Basel), 2019; 11: 112.

Sharma A, Dilawari G, Osborne S, Banks J C, Taylor R, Weckler P. On-the-go sensor system for cotton management. In Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, Memphis, TN: National Cotton Council of America, 2008; pp.588-593.

Sui R, Thomasson J A. Ground-based sensing system for cotton nitrogen status determination. Transactions of the ASABE, 2006; 49: 1983-1991.

Theofanis A, Gemtos S F, Katerina A. Precision agriculture applications in horticultural crops in Greece and worldwide. Proceedings of the International Conference on Information and communication Technologies for Sustainable Agri-production and Environment (HAICTA 2011), Skiathos, 2011; pp. 451-462.

Smith J, Johnson A, Brown C. Advances in Precision Agriculture." Journal of Agricultural Technology, 2020; 45(2): 78-93.

Yang C, Sui R and Lee W S. Precision agriculture in large-scale mechanized farming. Precision Agriculture Technology for crop farming, 2016; pp. 177-204.

Sandeep K, Suresh K K, Sunita C. Precision farming technologies towards enhancing productivity and sustainability of rice-wheat cropping system. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 2017; 6(3): 142-151.

Teoh C C, Mohd Syaifudin A R, Muhammad Isa O, Badril Hisham A B. Estimation of tiller numbers for rice plant population monitoring using image processing and analysis techniques, Proc. of National Rice Conference, 2010; pp.473-477.

Mohd A, Syaifudin M G, Mohd S S, Teoh C C, Mohamad A, Mohd N N, et al. Variable rate application of fertilizer in rice precision farming. International Conference on Agricultural and Food Engineering (Cafei2016), 2016; pp.277-281.

Maleki M R, Mouazen A M, Ketelaere B D, Ramon H, Merkx R, DeBaerdemaeker J. On-the-go variable-rate phosphorus fertilisation based on a visible and near-infrared soil sensor. Biosystem Engineering, 2008; 99: 35-45.

Mirzakhaninafchi H, Singh M, Bector V, Gupta O P, Singh R. Design and Development of a Variable Rate Applicator for Real-Time Application of Fertilizer. Sustainability, 2021; 13: 8694.

Heib A, Paraforos D S, Sharipov G M, Griepentrog H W. Modeling and simulation of a multi-parametric fuzzy expert system for variable rate nitrogen application. Comput. Electron. Agric., 2021; 182: 106008.

Sui R, Wilkerson J B, Hart W E, Wilhelm L R, Howard D D. Multi-spectral sensor for detection of nitrogen status in cotton. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 2005; 21: 167-172.

Scharf P C, Shannon D K, Palm H L, Sudduth K A, Drummond S T, Kitchen N R, et al. Sensor-based nitrogen applications out-performed producer-chosen rates for corn in on-farm demonstrations. Agron. J., 2011; 103: 1683-1691.

Raun W R, Solie J B, Johnson G V, Stone M L, Lukina E V, Thomason W E, Schepers J S. In-season prediction of potential grain yield in winter wheat using canopy reflectance. Agronomy Journal, 2001; 93: 131-138.

Biermacher J T, Epplin F M, Brorsen B W, Solie J B, Raun W R. Economic feasibility of site-specific optical sensing for managing nitrogen fertilizer for growing wheat. Precision Agriculture, 2009; 10: 213-230.

Boyer C N, Brorsen B W, Solie J B, Raun W R. Profitability of variable rate nitrogen application in wheat production. Precision Agriculture, 2011; 12: 473-487.

Holzapfel C B, Lafond G P, Brandt S A, Bullock P R, Irvine R B. Optical sensors have potential for determining nitrogen fertilizer topdressing requirements of canola in Saskatchewan. Canad. J. Plant Sci., 2009; 89: 411-425. doi: 10.4141/CJPS08127.

Maleki M R, Mouazen A M, DeKetelaere B, Ramon H, DeBaerdemaeker J. On-the-go variable-rate phosphorus fertilisation based on a visible and near-infrared soil sensor. Biosystem Engineering, 2008a; 99: 35-46.

Maleki M R, Ramon H, DeBaerdemaker J, Mouazen A M. A study of the time response of a soil-based variable rate granular fertilizer applicator. Biosystem Engineering, 2008; 100: 160-166.

Schumann A W, Hostler H K, Buchanon S M, Zaman Q. Relating citrus canopy size and yield to precision fertilisation. Proc. Florida State Hort. Soc., 2006; 119: 148-154.

Kim Y J, Kim H J, Ryu K H, Rhee J Y. Fertilizer application performance of a variable-rate pneumatic granular applicator for rice production. Biosystems Engineering, 2008; 100: 498-510.

Raun W R, Solie J B, Johnson G V, Stone M L, Mullen R W, Freeman K W, Thomason W E, Lukina E V. Improving nitrogen use efficiency in cereal grain production with optical sensing and variable rate application. Agronomy Journal, 2002; 94: 815-820.

Barker D W, Sawyer J E. Using active sensors to quantify corn nitrogen stress and nitrogen application rate. Agronomy Journal, 2010; 102: 964-971. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2010.0004.

Radite P A S, Umeda M, Iida M, Khilael M. Variable rate fertilizer applicator for paddy field. Amer. Soc. Agr. Eng. Annu. Intl. Mtg., Milwaukee, 2000.

Forouzanmehr E, Loghavi M. Design, development and field evaluation of a map-based variable rate granular fertilizer application control system. Agric Eng Int J, 2012; 14: 255-261.

Chandel N S, Mehta C R, Tewari V K, Nare B. Digital map-based site-specific granular fertilizer application system. Current science, 2016; 111: 1208-1213.

Ruixiu S. Performance assessment of a variable-rate fertilizer applicator. Journal of Agricultural Science, 2019; 11(2): 25-30.

Chen C, He P, Zhang J, Li X, Ren Z, Zhao J, He J, Wang Y, Liu H, Kang J. A fixed-amount and variable-rate fertilizer applicator based on pulse width modulation. Comput. Electron. Agric., 2018; 148: 330-336.

Song C, Zhou Z, Zang Y, Zhao L, Yang W, Luo X, Jiang R, Ming R, Zang Y, Zi, L. Variable-rate control system for UAV-based granular fertilizer spreader. Comput. Electron. Agric., 2021; 180: 105832.

Alameen A A, Al-Gaadi K A, Tola E. Development and performance evaluation of a control system for variable rate granular fertilizer application. Comput. Electron. Agric., 2019; 160: 31-39.

Reyes J F, Esquivel W, Cifuentes D, Ortega R. Field testing of an automatic control system for variable rate fertilizer application. Comput. Electron. Agric., 2015; 113: 260-265.

Brevik E C, Fenton T E, Lazari A. Soil electrical conductivity as a function of soil water content and implications for soil mapping. Precision Agriculture, 2006; 7: 393-404.

King J A, Dampney P R, Lark R M, Wheeler H C, Bradley R I. Mapping potential crop management zones within fields: Use of yield-map series and patterns of soil physical properties Identified by Electromagnetic Induction Sensing. Precision agriculture, 2005; 6: 167-181.

Srinivasan A. Handbook of precision agriculture: principles and applications. Routledge, New York, 2006.

McCormick S, Jordan C, Bailey J S. Within and between-field spatial variation in soil phosphorus in permanent grassland. Precision Agriculture, 2009; 10: 262-276.

Scharf P, Oliveira L F, Vories E D, Stevens G, Dunn D, Sudduth K A. Managing N with sensors: Some practical issue. In Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, Memphis, TN: National Cotton Council of America, 2008; pp.1585-1588.

Kempenaar C, Been T, Booij T, Evert F V, Michielsen J M, Kocks C. Advances in variable rate technology application in potato in The Netherlands. Potato Research, 2017; 60: 295-305

Wang G, Hao Y, Chen Y. Research on the model of variable-rate fertilisation in maize based on geographic information system. International Conference on Manufacturing Science and Engineering (ICMSE 2015), 2015; pp.1756-1763.

Vatsanidou A, Fountas S, Nanos G, Gemtos T. Variable rate application of nitrogen fertilizer in a commercial pear orchard. From Fork to Farm: the International Journal of the American Farm School of Thessaloniki, 2014; 1: 1-8.

Bora G C. Economics of variable rate nitrogen application in Florida citrus grove. Tree and Forestry Science and Biotechnology, 2008; 3: 164-168.

Zaman Q U, Schumann, A W, Miller W M. Variable rate nitrogen application in Florida citrus based on ultrasonically-sensed tree size. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 2005; 21: 331-335.

Sevier B J, Lee W S. Precision farming adoption in Florida citrus: A grower case study. ASAE Paper No. 051054, ASAE, St. Joseph, MI, 2005; 12p.

Ehlert D, Schmerler J, Voelker U. Variable rate nitrogen fertilisation of winter wheat based on a crop density sensor. Precision Agriculture, 2004; 5: 263-273.

Wang D, Prato T, Qiu Z, Kitchen N R, Sudduth K A. Economic and environmental evaluation of variable rate nitrogen and lime application for claypan soil fields. Precision Agriculture, 2003; 4: 35–52.

Roberts R, English B, Mahajanashetti S. Environmental and economic effects of spatial variability and weather. In: Proceedings of the 3rd European Conference on Precision Agriculture. Edited by S. Blackmore and G. Grenier (AGRO, Montpellier, France), 2001; pp.545-550.

Delgado J A, Follett R F, Buchleiter G, Stuebe A, Sparks R T, Dillon M A, Thompson A and Thompson K. Use of geospatial information for N management and conservation of under- ground water quality. The Third International Conference on Geospatial Information in Agriculture and Forestry, 2001. http://www.erim-int.com/CONF/3rdag/ 3rdag.html

Kholsa R, Shaver T M, Reich R M, Gangloff W J. Evaluating management zones for variable rate nitrogen management in corn. The Third International Conference on Geospatial Information in Agriculture and Forestry, 2001. http://www.erim- int.com/CONF/3rdag/3rdag.html

Whitley K M, Davenport J R, Manley S R. Differences in nitrate leaching under variable and conventional nitrogen fertilizer management in irrigated potato systems. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Precision Agriculture, edited by Robert P C, Rust R H and Larson W E, 2000; 40p.

Solie J B, Stone M L, Needham D E, Washmon C N, Johnson G V, Lukina E Vet al. In-season N fertilization using an in-season estimate of potential yield. In Proc. of the 5th International Conf. on Precision Agric. ASA-CSSA-SSSA, Madison, WI, 2000.

Griepentrog H W, Kyhn M. Strategies for site specific fertilization in a highly productive agricultural region. In: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Precision Agriculture. Edited by Robert P C, Rust R H and Larson W E, 2000; pp.1-11.




Copyright (c) 2023 International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

2023-2026 Copyright IJABE Editing and Publishing Office