Landscape Management of Agronomic Processes for Site-specific Farming
The objective of this project is to measure and model landscape dynamics for a hummocky topography in the Black Soil Zone of east central Alberta. Then evaluate the potential benefit of variable rate application.
IPNI-1999-CAN-AB19
15 Mar 2001
Methodology
- The research site is near the town of Viking, AB, where yield mapping and variable rate fertilizer application has been tested. Site development and data collection involved:
- The field site was subdivided into landscape units using soil landscape models and digital elevation data.
- A detailed description of representative landscape units, including soil characteristics within each landscape unit was conducted.
- Soil samples were collected for laboratory analysis of nutrient levels, organic matter, soil moisture and soil chemistry.
- Automated met stations were established at the field site to measure air temperature, relative humidity, surface soil temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, and wind speed and direction.
- Soil nutrient levels (supply rates) were also measured in-situ using Plant Root Simulator (PRS) anion and cation probes on a bi-weekly basis.
- Crop biomass production is measured at 4 times during the growing season (apex, anthesis, soft dough and maturity) at each landscape element.
- Harvest grain yield and quality (protein) samples were collected.
- Model predictions of the hydrological and nutrient processes plus plant responses will be compared with actual field measurements of water movement, nutrient levels, yield and nutrient uptake data collected at the field site. The accuracy of the model in predicting the actual soil processes at each landscape unit will be assessed, and corrections made where the model is not accurate.
Finally, field maps will be used to estimate fertilizer application rates at each landscape unit, suitable for use in onboard rate controllers in the tractor and applicator unit. A field comparison of variable rate versus constant rate application will be carried out, with resulting crop yield, quality and economic responses calculated. Together these results will help to determine the potential impact of adopting such technology on a broad scale.