Conducting Field Scale Research with Precision Agriculture Tools

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Conducting Field Scale Research with Precision
Agriculture Tools
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Why Field Scale Research?

• Includes production factors and limitations
• Greater credibility for results
• Provides information about specific situations

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What does Prec. Ag. Provide?

• Ease of implementing treatments with variable
  rate equipment
• Yield mapping provides data that can be selected
  to match treatments
• Ability to analyze areas, not just complete passes

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Types of Field Scale Research

• Producer optimization
• Regional performance demonstrations
• Scientific investigations

Each of the above can be enhanced by including
spatial information.
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Field Scale Research
Geo-referenced data collection systems on
production equipment provides the ability to
investigate alternative management strategies
under a producers land and enterprise
constraints.
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Producer Optimization

• Variety comparisons - few
• Variable vs. uniform rates of fertilizers
• Seed treatments
• Pre-emerge treatments

Generally implemented using strip trials that
cross a field.
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Regional Demonstrations

• Variety comparisons - many
• Variable vs. uniform rates

Generally implemented using strip trials that
cross a field.
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Scientific Investigations

• Validation of plot results
• Incorporation of local traits into experimental
  design
• VRT equipment allows small plot studies within
  large field

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Implementing Strip Trials

• Identify direction of dominant field properties
• Orient strips across dominant properties
• Match application and harvesting equipment widths

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Figure from http//www.pioneer.com/usa/technology
/presup.htm
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Implementing Strip Trials

• Include as many strips as possible, but at least
  six in a field
• Include multiple fields if possible
• Include varying conditions (i.e., well and poorly
  drained soils, hilltop, slope and bottom, etc.)

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Implementing Strip Trials

• Limit the number of treatments to include
  sufficient replication
• Note any unique conditions during growing season
  that would affect yield (weed patches, disease,
  insects, etc.)

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Harvesting Strip Trials

• Identify each treatment individually in recorded
  data, if possible (load numbers)
• Harvest adjacent treatments in the same direction
• Record yield at one sec. interval

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Yield mapped data is not random! Mixing of grain
during harvest makes neighboring data correlated,
and requires more replications to detect a real
difference between treatments.
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Field Scale Research Examples
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Cypress Seeding Rate - Balas
Levees
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Cypress Seeding Rate - Balas
Seeding Rate (lbs/ac)
90 70 65 50
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Drew Seeding Rate - Garrett
Levees
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Drew Seeding Rate - Garrett
Seeding Rate (lbs/ac)
Producers rate 120 100 80 60 40
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Strip Trial Analysis

• Yield map difference by treatment
• Create map for each treatment
• Create yield difference map
• Examine for consistent bias and patterns related
  to field conditions

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Strip Trial Analysis

• Paired comparisons of adjacent yield
• Select random locations for comparison (field or
  subfield)
• Extract yield over small area (3-5 m radius),
  calculate difference
• Use T-test to determine significant difference

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Scientific Investigations

• Use field characteristics to select regions for
  replication (similar to blocks)
• VRT equipment can create replicated plot areas in
  large field with consistent treatment

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Statistical Analysis

• Try to simplify during experimental design
• Statistical analysis resource http//yolo.usda-ars
  .orst.edu/steep/AgStatsweb/

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References

• Creating Yield Difference Maps from Split-Planter
  Fields - http//www.pioneer.com/usa/technology/
  yield_difference_maps.htm
• Setting Up Side X Side Comparisons With A Yield
  Monitor - http//www.pioneer.com/usa/technology
  /i970411.htm
• The Pioneer Split-Planter Comparison Method
  -http//www.pioneer.com/usa/technology/presup.htm
• Yield Monitor Calibration Update and Guidelines
  for Collecting Pioneer Strip Trial Data -
  http//www.pioneer.com/usa/technology/
  yield_monitor_calibration_99.htm
• PPI Site-Specific Management Guidelines 17 18