Precision Soil preparation
Intelligent guidance systems provide
different steering patterns (guidance
patterns) depending on the shape of
the field and can be used in combination with above systems.
Geomapping: used to produce maps
including soil type, nutrients levels
etc. in layers and assign that information to the particular field location. (See picture on the left)
Sensors and remote sensing: collect
data from a distance to evaluating
soil and crop health (moisture, nutrients, compaction, and crop diseases). Data sensors can be mounted
on moving machines.
Integrated electronic communications between components in a system for example, between tractor
and farm office, tractor and dealer
or spray can and sprayer.
Variable rate technology
(VRT): ability to adapt parameters on
a machine to apply, for instance,
seed or fertiliser according to the exact variations in plant growth, or
soil nutrients and type.
Precision Soil preparation
Precision Seeding
Soil preparation is the first step before
growing a crop. The ultimate objective
is to produce a firm and weed-free
seedbed for rapid germination and
emergence of the crop.
Seeding (or: sowing) is a critical step in
crop growing. For a successful seeding process, two challenges need to be
overcome:
One of the most important tasks in soil
preparation is tilling (or ploughing):
turning the soil and loosening it.
Tilling creates optimal soil by:
Mechanically destroying weeds that
compete for water, nutrients
and sunlight.
Incorporating organic material: residues
left over from the previous crops are incorporated in the soil and decomposed.
Soil preparation is one of the
most energy-consuming parts of agriculture, requiring significant inputs of
fuel and time. Depending on the field’s
location, it may also increase the risk
of soil erosion.
Today, precision farming equipment
exists that helps farmers to use considerably less fuel and time in soil preparation by improving the accuracy, efficiency and sustainability of the
process.
Precision Seeding
Correct depth: if sown too deep into the soil, roots will not be able
to breath. If sown on the surface,
birds may damage the seeds.
Proper distance: if plants are overcrowded, they will not to get
enough water, nutrients and sunlight, resulting in yield loss. If they
are planted too far from each other,
valuable land is left unused.
Hand-seeding used to be a laborious,
burdensome task with a lot of inaccuracies involved. Today, seed drills and
planters do the job of sowing with the
help of tractors.
Modern precision seeding equipment
manages to place the seeds uniformly at proper distances and depths for
optimal access to moisture and sunlight. The fast, uniform germination ensure the crop can compete with weeds
and promotes even maturity across the
whole field for easier harvesting and
greater yields.