Economically Optimal Nitrogen Side-dressing Based on Vegetation Indices from Satellite Images Through On-farm Experiments

Qianqian Du, Taro Mieno, David Bullock and Brittani Edge

No 316596, Agri-Tech Economics Papers from Harper Adams University, Land, Farm & Agribusiness Management Department

Abstract: A methodology is introduced that combines data from on-farm precision experimentation (OFPE) with remotely sensed vegetative index (VI) data to derive site-specific economically optimal side-dressing N rates (EONRs). An OFPE was conducted on a central Illinois field in the 2019 corn growing season; the trial design targeted six side-dressing N rates ranging from 0 and 177 kg ha-1 on field plots, and yields were recorded at harvest using a standard GPS-linked yield monitor. NDRE values were calculated from Sentinel-2 satellite imagery during the V10 to V12 corn growth stages of the experiment’s crop. After partitioning the field by NDRE quartile, economically N side-dressing rates were calculated after estimating each quartile’s yield response function. Consistent with agronomic expectations, results showed that the parts of the field with lower NDRE values had higher yield; but the impact of increasing NDRE levels on the side-dressing rate’s marginal product and EONR was not monotonic. Simulations predicted that compared to the side-dressing strategy the farmer would have implemented if not participating in the OFPE, net revenues could have been increased by $54 ha-1 by using the methodology presented, suggesting high potential value of combining OFPE and VI data. A key advantage of the proposed methodology is that the data’s inference space is the field to be managed. Further study is needed to improve the featured methodology.

Keywords: Crop Production/Industries; Land Economics/Use; Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 12
Date: 2021-09-21
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:haaepa:316596

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.316596

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