Variable-rate technology (VRT) allows fertilizer,
chemicals, lime, gypsum, irrigation water and other farm
inputs to be applied at different rates across a field,
without manually changing rate settings on equipment
or having to make multiple passes over an area.
Variable-rate application (VRA) can range from the
simple control of flow rate to the more complex
management of rate, chemical mix and application
pattern. VRA can match changes in crop yield potential
with specific input rates resulting in a more efficient
system and minimising potential environmental impacts.
VRT can be used to deal with spatial variability between
paddocks or between management zones/classes. There
are two types of VRT:
1. Map-based control: a map of application rates is
produced for the field prior to the operation.
2. Real-time control: decisions about what rates
to apply in different locations are made using
information gathered during the operation. This
requires sensors to detect necessary information
‘on-the-go’ and is usually designed for a specific
job such as herbicide application.
PRECISION FARMING
It is an approach where inputs are utilized in precise amounts to get increased average yields, compared to traditional cultivation techniques. It is also known as precision Agriculture, A science of improving crop yield and assisting management decisions using high technology sensor and analysis tools. It is an approach to farm management that uses information technology (IT).
PRECISION FARMING
It is an approach where inputs are utilized in precise amounts to get increased average yields, compared to traditional cultivation techniques. It is also known as precision Agriculture, A science of improving crop yield and assisting management decisions using high technology sensor and analysis tools. It is an approach to farm management that uses information technology (IT).
A brief study on Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). This presentation has created by me after studying many articles and research papers regarding INM. Suggestions are kindly invited.
National Program for Organic Certification in India. NPOP is indian organic certification standard, It monitors the use of India Organic Logo by certified operations. STOCERT provides certification services in India
Tillage is the manipulation of soil with tools & implements for loosening the surface crust & bringing about conditions favorable for the germination of seeds and the growth of crops.
soil condition resulting from tillage
good Tilth - soft, friable & properly aerated
crop emergence, establishment, growth and development
easy infiltration of water & are retentive of moisture for satisfactory growth of plants
To prepare the seed bed to a satisfactory level which promotes good germination and establishment of the seedlings
To control weeds and improve close plant-soil interaction in the rooting zone.
To loosen the soil for easy penetration and proliferation
To remove the other sprouting materials in the soil
To modify the soil temperature
To break hard soil pans and improve drainage facilities
To manage the plant residues by incorporating into the soil or to retain on the top layer to reduce erosion.
To improve the physical conditions of the soil
To harvest rain water easily and soil erosion can be minimised.
To establish specific surface configurations for sowing, irrigation, drainage, etc.
To incorporate and mix applied fertilizers and manures into the soil.
To destroy the eggs and larvae of insects and their breeding places.
Recent techniques and Modern tools in weed managementAshokh Aravind S
weed science, emerging issues in weed science, new tools and improvements in weed management, future advancements in weed management, biological weed control, harvest weed seed control
GPS-based applications in precision farming are being used for farm planning, field mapping, soil sampling, tractor guidance, crop scouting, variable rate applications, and yield mapping. GPS allows farmers to work during low visibility field conditions such as rain, dust, fog, and darkness.
The Contingency plans cover contingency strategies to be taken up by farmers in response to major weather related aberrations such as delay in onset and breaks in monsoon causing early, mid and late season droughts, floods, unusual rains, extreme weather events such as heat wave, cold wave, frost, hailstorm and cyclone.
Precision Farming and Good Agricultural Practices (1).pptxNaveen Prasath
Precision agriculture (PA), as the name implies, refers to the application of precise and correct amounts of inputs like water, fertilizers, pesticides etc. at the correct time to the crop for increasing its productivity and maximizing its yields. The use of inputs (i.e. chemical fertilizers and pesticides) based on the right quantity, at the right time and in the right place.
This type of management is commonly known as “Site-Specific management”
Strictly based on Global Positioning System (GPS) i.e. unique character is precise in time and space.
A brief study on Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). This presentation has created by me after studying many articles and research papers regarding INM. Suggestions are kindly invited.
National Program for Organic Certification in India. NPOP is indian organic certification standard, It monitors the use of India Organic Logo by certified operations. STOCERT provides certification services in India
Tillage is the manipulation of soil with tools & implements for loosening the surface crust & bringing about conditions favorable for the germination of seeds and the growth of crops.
soil condition resulting from tillage
good Tilth - soft, friable & properly aerated
crop emergence, establishment, growth and development
easy infiltration of water & are retentive of moisture for satisfactory growth of plants
To prepare the seed bed to a satisfactory level which promotes good germination and establishment of the seedlings
To control weeds and improve close plant-soil interaction in the rooting zone.
To loosen the soil for easy penetration and proliferation
To remove the other sprouting materials in the soil
To modify the soil temperature
To break hard soil pans and improve drainage facilities
To manage the plant residues by incorporating into the soil or to retain on the top layer to reduce erosion.
To improve the physical conditions of the soil
To harvest rain water easily and soil erosion can be minimised.
To establish specific surface configurations for sowing, irrigation, drainage, etc.
To incorporate and mix applied fertilizers and manures into the soil.
To destroy the eggs and larvae of insects and their breeding places.
Recent techniques and Modern tools in weed managementAshokh Aravind S
weed science, emerging issues in weed science, new tools and improvements in weed management, future advancements in weed management, biological weed control, harvest weed seed control
GPS-based applications in precision farming are being used for farm planning, field mapping, soil sampling, tractor guidance, crop scouting, variable rate applications, and yield mapping. GPS allows farmers to work during low visibility field conditions such as rain, dust, fog, and darkness.
The Contingency plans cover contingency strategies to be taken up by farmers in response to major weather related aberrations such as delay in onset and breaks in monsoon causing early, mid and late season droughts, floods, unusual rains, extreme weather events such as heat wave, cold wave, frost, hailstorm and cyclone.
Precision Farming and Good Agricultural Practices (1).pptxNaveen Prasath
Precision agriculture (PA), as the name implies, refers to the application of precise and correct amounts of inputs like water, fertilizers, pesticides etc. at the correct time to the crop for increasing its productivity and maximizing its yields. The use of inputs (i.e. chemical fertilizers and pesticides) based on the right quantity, at the right time and in the right place.
This type of management is commonly known as “Site-Specific management”
Strictly based on Global Positioning System (GPS) i.e. unique character is precise in time and space.
Agriculture machinery plays a significant role to enhance the productivity.
Geo-informatics is the science that gather data regarding field conditions (Accurately). These are computational model cum strong algorithm based machinery or equipment to obtain real time data with precise application
Precision Farming helps findout nutrient and micro nutrient deficiency in minute areas of soils and enables application of nutrients/micro nutrients in the soil where deficiency exists. This saves money and helps soil improvement.
Geospatial Science and Technology Utilization in Agricultureijtsrd
Since the agrarian revolution during the 18th century, the use of technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of farming practices has increased tremendously. Discoveries in the field of science and technology have enabled farmers to effectively use their input to maximize their yield. These advancements have been greatly assisted by the use of sophisticated machineries, planting practices, use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides and so on. At the present moment however, the success of large scale farming highly relies on geographic information technology through what is known as precision farming. Precision agriculture, or precision farming, is therefore a farming concept that utilizes geographical information to determine field variability to ensure optimal use of inputs and maximize the output from a farm Esri, 2008 . Precision agriculture gained popularity after the realization that diverse fields of land hold different properties. Large tracts of land usually have spatial variations of soils types, moisture content, nutrient availability and so on. Therefore, with the use of remote sensing, geographical information systems GIS and global positioning systems GPS , farmers can more precisely determine what inputs to put exactly where and with what quantities. This information helps farmers to effectively use expensive resources such as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, and more efficiently use water resources. In the end, farmers who use this method not only maximize on their yields but also reduce their operating expenses, thus increasing their profits. On these grounds therefore, this article shall focus on the use of geospatial technologies in precision farming. To achieve this, the paper shall focus on how geospatial data is collected, analyzed and used in the decision making process to maximize on yields. Dr. Anil Kumar "Geospatial Science and Technology Utilization in Agriculture" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-6 | Issue-4 , June 2022, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd50330.pdf Paper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/biological-science/botany/50330/geospatial-science-and-technology-utilization-in-agriculture/dr-anil-kumar
The triennial conference of the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE) provides a platform for the Global Futures and Strategic Foresight (GFSF) teams of the CGIAR centers to showcase their work. The first symposium organized by these teams was on ‘Bio-economic modeling to assess options for enhancing food security under climate change in the developing world’ and it took place during the 29th IAAE conference in Brazil in 2012. The teams came again together in 2015 to organize a second symposium on ‘Interpreting results from using bio-economic modeling for global and regional ex ante impact assessment’ at the 30th IAAE conference which took place in Milan on August 8-14, 2015.
Bangladesh though a LDC have generated national database on Land and Soil Resources which is mainly used for agricultural development planning and farmers service. SOLARIS and OFRS are two systems dealing with the NR database to generate output needed by academicians, researchers, extentionists and farmers
UNIT IV PRECISION FARMING TECHNIQUES 9
Concept and introduction of precision Farming: importance, definition, principles and concepts.
Role of GIS and GPS. Mobile mapping system and its application in precision farming. Design,
layout and installation of drip and fertigation in horticultural crops, role of commuters in developing
comprehensive systems needed in site specific management (SSM), georeferencing and
photometric correction. Sensors for information gathering, geostatistics, robotics in horticulture,
postharvest process management (PPM), remote sensing, information and data management and
crop growth models, GIS based modeling,VRT, robotics and drones in agriculturePrecision farming is also known as site-specific crop management. It merges data collection and remote sensing with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to allow farmers to respond to in-field variability with their crop management.
Farmers can get extremely precise in their crop management while not sacrificing crop yields. They can vary the amount of seed planted or fertilizer spread to not just sections of a field but by the square meter and even square centimeter of a field. This means they can place the precise amount of seed and fertilizer to optimize production based on field conditions such as soil types and moisture levels.
What is Precision Farming Used For?
Farmers use precision farming in many aspects of their farming practices to make resource management decisions based upon on-site and real-time data collected in their fields.
The earliest, and most commonly used, precision ag technique is for variable rate applications of inputs. Variable rate technology (VRT) is installed on seeders, and fertilizers and is now being added to irrigation systems like center pivot systems. Variable rate technology (VRT) allows farmers to precisely vary how much and where they apply inputs (seed, fertilizer or water) based on overlaying data sources, like soil maps, prior harvest yield maps or imagery collected from drones, and airplanes or satellites. Prior to seeding or applying an input, a farmer will run a “prescription,” aka “script,” that gives the machine being used a precise GIS-enabled map with instructions of how much input to apply at what point in the field. The farmer enables auto-steer and their GPS program in their tractor and then lets the variable rate program automatically follow the script, with no further input needed from them.
Similar to Pros and cons of VRT in Indian Agriculture as compared to Developed countries (20)
Shortcomings with long practiced intensive tillage such as loss of soil organic matter, decline in soil productivity, subsurface soil compaction, high fuel expenditures and increased cost of cultivation led to discovery of alternate options and embarked the idea of conservation tillage. Tillage practices that are defined by the per cent of residue cover left on the soil surface with minimized frequency or intensity of tillage operations are categorized under conservation tillage. These are aimed to reduce erosion by protecting the soil surface and thereby promoting economic and environmental benefits. Impact of conservation tillage is a function of duration and therefore long term investigations of conservation tillage serve as reliable source to study different crop, soil and cultivation parameters.
Conservation tillage and problem of residue management under rice based cropping system has been much talked about. However, maize being one of the most promising crops in changing climatic conditions; was less emphasized by conservationists. Maize is an erosion permitting crop and further conventional tillage in maize based cropping system enhances soil degradation, which is followed by accelerated rate of erosion and increased loss of nutrients. Lower economic returns from maize based cropping system due to higher costs involved in tillage operations is another major issue. Intensive tillage escalates the rate of oxidation of organic matter by opening the plough layer which decreases the soil organic carbon and ultimately results into degraded soil biological health. Conventional tillage in maize based cropping systems leads to persistence of particular weed flora, poor aggregate stability, development of hard pan which also creates problem of water logging in cases of poor drainage facility under maize based systems. Therefore, tillage practices needs some modifications to arrest such deteriorations that necessitated the concepts of conservation tillage.
Minimum risk of soil erosion, enhanced soil quality has been observed with conservation tillage besides showing enhanced macro and micro nutrient concentration in soil under maize based cropping system. Adoption of conservation tillage in maize based cropping system has promised to increase system productivity and maize yield by 23% in light textured soil . Higher net return by 6000-10,000 Rs/ha and 4-5% increase in energy efficiency are promised under conservation tillage. Therefore, energetic and economics of conservation tillage was significantly better than conventional tillage for maize based cropping system . Conservation tillage improves soil structure and enhances soil aggregation stability which enhances infiltration rate of soil. Soil water storage increased by about 3-12% under conservation tillage ultimately increases water productivity by 25 percent.
customized and value added fertilizers.pptxPragyaNaithani
Customized fertilizer are defined as multi nutrient carrier designed to contain macro and / or micro nutrient forms, both from inorganic and/or organic sources, manufactured through a systematic process of granulation, satisfying the crop’s nutritional needs, specific to site, soil and stage, validated by a scientific crop model capability developed by an accredited fertilizer manufacturing/marketing company.
The objectives –
• To provide site specific nutrient management
• To achieve maximum fertilizer use efficiency for the applied nutrients
• To attain cost effective fertilizer application
• A fertilizer composition with additional nutrients as compared to conventional fertilizers, from additional sources such as humic acids, amino acids, treated biochar and proteoglycans etc., which when applied increase yields with reduced fertilizer use.
• The deficiency of secondary and micronutrients can thus be overcome easily by fortification of the presently manufactured N/P/NP/NPK fertilizers
• Value-added fertilizers can increase crop yields by 14 to 17 percent compared with same amount of traditional fertilizers.
CF & FF:- holistic nutrition solution
• In north western India, secondary nutrients (S) and micronutrients (Zn, B, Fe, Mn) deficiencies are reported, which can be tackled with the use of value added fertilizers
• Although, K is sufficiently available, K response was found better after application of customized fertilizers
• The soil survey of India reported in many areas soils and ground water were affected by nitrate pollution (Handa 1986; Kakar 2008; Rawat and Singh 2010). Thus, it is quite essential to avoid overuse and go for usage of fertilizers as per the demand of crop.
Soil texture is the relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay in a soil. Texture is considered to be a permanent characteristic of a soil since weathering only very slowly changes particle size. Furthermore, cultivation and other management practices do not alter the sizes of individual soil particles. In some cases, however, erosion or deposition may rapidly alter the particle size distribution.
Texture is an important property of soils because particle size determines the surface area of solids per unit volume or mass of soil. Texture also influences the pore size distribution in soil. A sandy soil is dominated by large individual soil particles and, therefore, has a relatively small total surface area and large pore spaces between soil particles. At the other extreme, a clay soil consists of tiny individual particles and has a large total surface area but small pore spaces. However, small soil particles tend to be associated with one another to form aggregates of soil particles. Thus, the pore space in a clay soil consists of small intra aggregate pores and much larger inter aggregate pores. In fact, the total volume of pore space per unit volume of soil (porosity) of a sandy soil is actually smaller than the porosity of a clay soil.
A transgenic crop plant contains a gene or genes which have been artificially inserted, instead of the plant acquiring them through pollination. The inserted gene sequence (known as the transgene) may come from another unrelated plant, or from a completely different species: for example, transgenic Bt corn, which produces its own insecticide, contains a gene from a bacterium. Plants containing transgenes are often called genetically modified or GM crops.
What is the need of transgenic plants?
A plant breeder tries to assemble a combination of genes in a crop plant which will make it as useful and productive as possible. The desirable genes may provide features such as higher yield or improved quality, pest or disease resistance, or tolerance to heat, cold and drought. This powerful tool enables plant breeders to do what they have always done - generate more useful and productive crop varieties containing new combinations of genes - but this approach expands the possibilities beyond the limitations imposed by traditional cross pollination and selection techniques.
Seed dormancy, its causes and applicabilityPragyaNaithani
Seed dormancy is defined as a state in which seeds are prevented from germinating even under environmental conditions normally favourable for germination. According to Wareing (1965) the term dormancy is used in the sense where the viable seed of a given species falls to germinate under conditions of moisture, temperature and oxygen supply which are normally favourable for the later stages of germination and growth of that species.
Many seeds do not germinate when placed under conducive conditions for germination viz., optimum temperature, moisture, oxygen. However, seeds can be shown to be viable, as they can be induced to germinate by various special artificial treatments, or under special external conditions. Such seeds are said to be dormant, or to be said in a state of dormancy.
Plants with a long history of domestication generally, show less dormancy than wild or recently domesticated species. When domesticated species exhibit dormancy, they become a problem to the communities involved in seed occupation. However, a degree of dormancy in certain crops is desirable since it prevents pre-harvest germination and helps in the maintaining seed quality. Though, dormancy may be cause seeds of numerous species to maintaining ungerminated in the soil for many years. This explains the presence of unwanted crop plants or weeds in fields that are cultivated regularly and maintain seed quality.
Climate change and Agriculture: Impact Aadaptation and MitigationPragyaNaithani
Climate change refers to a statistically significant variation in either the mean state of the climate or in its Variability, persisting for an extended period (typically decades or longer). For the past some decades, the gaseous composition of earth’s atmosphere is undergoing a significant change, largely through increased emissions from energy, industry and agriculture sectors; widespread deforestation as well as fast changes in land use and land management practices. These anthropogenic activities are resulting in an increased emission of radiatively active gases, viz. carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), popularly known as the ‘greenhouse gases’ (GHGs)
These GHGs trap the outgoing infrared radiations from the earth’s surface and thus raise the temperature of the atmosphere. The global mean annual temperature at the end of the 20th century, as a result of GHG accumulation in the atmosphere, has increased by 0.4–0.7 ºC above that recorded at the end of the 19th century. The past 50 years have shown an increasing trend in temperature @ 0.13 °C/decade, while the rise in temperature during the past one and half decades has been much higher. The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change has projected the temperature increase to be between 1.1 °C and 6.4 °C by the end of the 21st Century (IPCC, 2007). The global warming is expected to lead to other regional and global changes in the climate-related parameters such as rainfall, soil moisture, and sea level. Snow cover is also reported to be gradually decreasing.
Therefore, concerted efforts are required for mitigation and adaptation to reduce the vulnerability of agriculture to the adverse impacts of climate change and making it more resilient.
The adaptive capacity of poor farmers is limited because of subsistence agriculture and low level of formal education. Therefore, simple, economically viable and culturally acceptable adaptation strategies have to be developed and implemented. Furthermore, the transfer of knowledge as well as access to social, economic, institutional, and technical resources need to be provided and integrated within the existing resources of farmers.
Nutraceutical market, scope and growth: Herbal drug technologyLokesh Patil
As consumer awareness of health and wellness rises, the nutraceutical market—which includes goods like functional meals, drinks, and dietary supplements that provide health advantages beyond basic nutrition—is growing significantly. As healthcare expenses rise, the population ages, and people want natural and preventative health solutions more and more, this industry is increasing quickly. Further driving market expansion are product formulation innovations and the use of cutting-edge technology for customized nutrition. With its worldwide reach, the nutraceutical industry is expected to keep growing and provide significant chances for research and investment in a number of categories, including vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and herbal supplements.
Cancer cell metabolism: special Reference to Lactate PathwayAADYARAJPANDEY1
Normal Cell Metabolism:
Cellular respiration describes the series of steps that cells use to break down sugar and other chemicals to get the energy we need to function.
Energy is stored in the bonds of glucose and when glucose is broken down, much of that energy is released.
Cell utilize energy in the form of ATP.
The first step of respiration is called glycolysis. In a series of steps, glycolysis breaks glucose into two smaller molecules - a chemical called pyruvate. A small amount of ATP is formed during this process.
Most healthy cells continue the breakdown in a second process, called the Kreb's cycle. The Kreb's cycle allows cells to “burn” the pyruvates made in glycolysis to get more ATP.
The last step in the breakdown of glucose is called oxidative phosphorylation (Ox-Phos).
It takes place in specialized cell structures called mitochondria. This process produces a large amount of ATP. Importantly, cells need oxygen to complete oxidative phosphorylation.
If a cell completes only glycolysis, only 2 molecules of ATP are made per glucose. However, if the cell completes the entire respiration process (glycolysis - Kreb's - oxidative phosphorylation), about 36 molecules of ATP are created, giving it much more energy to use.
IN CANCER CELL:
Unlike healthy cells that "burn" the entire molecule of sugar to capture a large amount of energy as ATP, cancer cells are wasteful.
Cancer cells only partially break down sugar molecules. They overuse the first step of respiration, glycolysis. They frequently do not complete the second step, oxidative phosphorylation.
This results in only 2 molecules of ATP per each glucose molecule instead of the 36 or so ATPs healthy cells gain. As a result, cancer cells need to use a lot more sugar molecules to get enough energy to survive.
Unlike healthy cells that "burn" the entire molecule of sugar to capture a large amount of energy as ATP, cancer cells are wasteful.
Cancer cells only partially break down sugar molecules. They overuse the first step of respiration, glycolysis. They frequently do not complete the second step, oxidative phosphorylation.
This results in only 2 molecules of ATP per each glucose molecule instead of the 36 or so ATPs healthy cells gain. As a result, cancer cells need to use a lot more sugar molecules to get enough energy to survive.
introduction to WARBERG PHENOMENA:
WARBURG EFFECT Usually, cancer cells are highly glycolytic (glucose addiction) and take up more glucose than do normal cells from outside.
Otto Heinrich Warburg (; 8 October 1883 – 1 August 1970) In 1931 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology for his "discovery of the nature and mode of action of the respiratory enzyme.
WARNBURG EFFECT : cancer cells under aerobic (well-oxygenated) conditions to metabolize glucose to lactate (aerobic glycolysis) is known as the Warburg effect. Warburg made the observation that tumor slices consume glucose and secrete lactate at a higher rate than normal tissues.
Seminar of U.V. Spectroscopy by SAMIR PANDASAMIR PANDA
Spectroscopy is a branch of science dealing the study of interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter.
Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy refers to absorption spectroscopy or reflect spectroscopy in the UV-VIS spectral region.
Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy is an analytical method that can measure the amount of light received by the analyte.
Observation of Io’s Resurfacing via Plume Deposition Using Ground-based Adapt...Sérgio Sacani
Since volcanic activity was first discovered on Io from Voyager images in 1979, changes
on Io’s surface have been monitored from both spacecraft and ground-based telescopes.
Here, we present the highest spatial resolution images of Io ever obtained from a groundbased telescope. These images, acquired by the SHARK-VIS instrument on the Large
Binocular Telescope, show evidence of a major resurfacing event on Io’s trailing hemisphere. When compared to the most recent spacecraft images, the SHARK-VIS images
show that a plume deposit from a powerful eruption at Pillan Patera has covered part
of the long-lived Pele plume deposit. Although this type of resurfacing event may be common on Io, few have been detected due to the rarity of spacecraft visits and the previously low spatial resolution available from Earth-based telescopes. The SHARK-VIS instrument ushers in a new era of high resolution imaging of Io’s surface using adaptive
optics at visible wavelengths.
Multi-source connectivity as the driver of solar wind variability in the heli...Sérgio Sacani
The ambient solar wind that flls the heliosphere originates from multiple
sources in the solar corona and is highly structured. It is often described
as high-speed, relatively homogeneous, plasma streams from coronal
holes and slow-speed, highly variable, streams whose source regions are
under debate. A key goal of ESA/NASA’s Solar Orbiter mission is to identify
solar wind sources and understand what drives the complexity seen in the
heliosphere. By combining magnetic feld modelling and spectroscopic
techniques with high-resolution observations and measurements, we show
that the solar wind variability detected in situ by Solar Orbiter in March
2022 is driven by spatio-temporal changes in the magnetic connectivity to
multiple sources in the solar atmosphere. The magnetic feld footpoints
connected to the spacecraft moved from the boundaries of a coronal hole
to one active region (12961) and then across to another region (12957). This
is refected in the in situ measurements, which show the transition from fast
to highly Alfvénic then to slow solar wind that is disrupted by the arrival of
a coronal mass ejection. Our results describe solar wind variability at 0.5 au
but are applicable to near-Earth observatories.
Pros and cons of VRT in Indian Agriculture as compared to Developed countries
1. 1
Pros and cons of VRT in Indian Agriculture as
compared to Developed countries
PragyaNaithani
45979
PhD. Agronomy
GBPUAT
Pantnagar
2. What is Variable Rate
Technology?
VRT
SSM
Site-specific Management
Through use of crop variability, soil variability and
topography
precisely apply inputs
VRT in precision agriculture is an area of technology that
focuses on the automated application of inputs like fertilizers,
chemicals, irrigation and seeds at a variable rate to a given
landscape, to satisfy crops demand according to the need.
2
3. Map-based VRT Sensor-based VRT
Application rate is calculated in
advance before entering into the
field
Application rate is evaluated
instantly on field, i.e., "real
time”.
Application rates are based on
VRA prescription maps,
(prepared by agronomist) based
on data source like GIS
Application rate are calculated
by variable rate applicator based
on sensors that are local to
applicator.
Variability in field factors is
evaluated using GIS, DGPS and
interpreted using GNSS.
Sensors detect the necessary
information, "on the go”.
On the basis of Application method, VRT has been segmented as :
3
Other VRTs :-
• Leaf color chart (LCC) based N management
• Laser based land leveling
• Green seeker
• SPAD
Mondal and Basu (2009)
7. 7
Agronomic Improvements
• Efficient and site specific application of what plant
actually needs
Improved crop yield and productivity
• Through precise use of resources at variable rates, as per
the crop demand
•Higher production efficiency
• Through better management of insect pests diseases and
weeds.
Crop quality Improvement
8. 8
Advantages of VRT in Weed Management
Reduced Herbicide application rate with VRT in maize.
Application rate (l/ha)
Reduction in
herbicide use (%)
S.No.
Constant rate
application
Variable rate
application
1 297.61 162.33 45.46
2 297.61 160.25 46.15
3 297.61 145.34 51.16
4 297.61 154.32 48.14
5 297.61 127.55 57.14
Reduced Herbicide application rate with VRT in groundnut.
Application rate (l/ha)
Reduction in
herbicide use (%)
S.No.
Constant rate
application
Variable rate
application
1 297.61 178.57 40
2 297.61 173.61 41.67
3 297.61 166.67 44
4 297.61 168.91 43.24
5 297.61 156.25 47.49
Tewari et al (2014), IIT Kharagpur
9. Nitrogen management through LCC and SPAD on yield and yield attributes of wheat
9
Reena et al., 2017
GBPUAT, Pantnagar
Yield Advantages through VRT in N management
10. 10
Crop
Average grain yield (t/ha)
CD@5%
SSNM RDF FFP
Maize 7.02 5.98 5.44 0.48
Rice 8.34 7.47 6.74 0.63
Wheat 3.79 3.22 2.85 0.28
Sorghum 2.56 2.09 1.89 0.18
Sunflower 2.44 2.01 1.8 0.15
Chickpea 2.39 1.99 1.89 0.1
Cotton* 2.55 2.21 2.01 0.17
Chilli** 2.18 1.94 1.76 0.16
*seed cotton yield, **dry chili yield
Bana et al., 2020
Jobner, Rajasthan
Effect of SSNM on Yield of different crops
Yield Advantages of VRT in N management
11. 11
Effect of Laser land levelling in Rice and Wheat
Treatments Effective
tiller m-2
No. of
grains/spike
1000 grain
wt.(g)
Grain yield
(t ha
-1
)
Net Income
(₹/ha)
B:C ratio
Rice Wheat Rice Wheat Rice Wheat Rice Wheat Rice Wheat Rice Wheat
Laser land
levelling
318 325 132 42.4 24.3 41.7 4.70 4.91 90380 72649 3.46 3.24
Traditional
levelling 302 310 121 39.1 23.5 38.6 4.11 4.43 73688 60822 2.96 2.8
Control
(Unlevelled
)
287 289 115 37.4 21.2 37.6 3.68 4.14 65416 53556 2.92 2.53
CD(P=0.05) 14.2 16.0 6.5 3.8 1.4 3.1 0.26 0.22 - -
Tomar et al (2020), Madhya Pradesh
Economic and yield Advantages of VRA of Tillage
12. Area under the disease
Disease severity (%)
Study conducted on apple scab, peach brown rot, and phomopsis of blueberry treated with conventional
constant-rate (Con) and intelligent variable-rate (Int) applications. Chen et al., 2021
12
Advantages of VRT in Disease Management
Comparison between Conventional (Con) and Intelligent (Int) spray of fungicides for Disease severity (%) and
Area under the disease
13. Mean deposit densities (number of deposit stains per unit
area)
Mean area coverage rate (spray coverage divided
by spray deposits)
13
Advantages of VRT in Disease Management
Salcedo et al, 2020
USA, ohio
Comparison between Laser pulse width modulation, manual pulse width modulation and disabled pulse
width modulation
14. 14
Higher Economic Returns
• Use of sensors and prescription maps to asses the variability in
the field
• Automation of application of inputs
Less labour requirement
• Maximising efficiency of inputs
• No excessive use of expensive inputs fuel, fertilizers, chemicals ,
seeds, water (Grisso et al. 2009)
Economic use of inputs
15. 15
Economics and Yield Advantage of GIS based fertilization
for rice, potato and sesame
Treatment
Rice Potato Sesame
Yield, t/ha Economics, ₹ Yield, t/ha Economic,₹ Yield, t/ha Economics₹
Grain Straw
Net
Return
Return per
₹ invested
Tuber
Net
Return
Return per ₹
invested
Seed Stick
Net
Return
Return
per ₹
invested
Farmer’s
Practice
4.2 4.6 20,592 1.90 28.7 38,210 1.50 0.8 3.0 3,928 1.22
State Rec. 4.4 5.0 21,544 1.91 22.5 20,962 1.30 1.2 3.9 8,278 1.51
Soil test
based
4.7 6.0 25,6 14 2.05 28.3 41,556 1.58 1.4 4.2 11,267 1.66
GIS (100m
grid)
4.7 6.0 24,760 2.02 27.6 39, 128 1.55 1.4 4.1 11,457 1.68
CD at 5% 0.26 0.32 - - 6.4 - - 0.3 0.4 - -
*Economic comparisons considered all fixed and variable costs including fertilizers (urea= Rs.6/kg, SSP = Rs.6/kg, KCI = Rs. 6/kg) and revenues
from rice grain (Rs.9/kg) and straw (Rs. 1.2/kg), potato tubers (Rs. 4/kg), and sesame seed (Rs.20/kg) and sticks (Rs. 100/t).
Iftikar et al (2010),West Bengal
16. 16
Effect of site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) on wheat productivity (t/ha)
economic return (INR/ha) at seven locations in India
Site
Farmer
practice(t/ha)
State
recommendation(t/ha)
SSNM(t/ha)
Increase over
SR,% (INR/ha)
Increase over FP.
% (INR/ha)
Modipuram 4.77 4.90 6.43 31.0 46.5
Kanpur 4.72 5.45 6.00 10.1 27.1
Ludhiana 5.45 6.28 6.55 4.3 20. 1
Sabour 3.92 4.97 5.82 17.1 48.7
Pantnagar 3.87 5.10 6.39 25.3 66.0
Palampur 2.64 3.76 3.87 3.0 46.5
Singh and Bansal (2010)
Economic Advantage of SSNM
17. English et al., 2009
USA
17
Effects of VRT N-restriction on economic returns in comparison to URAT
Economic Advantage of VRT with N Restriction
18. 18
Environmental protection
• No excess use of chemicals, saves soil and water from
unwanted contamination
• Minimised over-application means reduced risk of leaching
• Reduction in GHG emmisions (Trost et al., 2013)
Less Pollution
• Reduced run off and deep percolations of water below root
zone ( Daccache et al., 2015, Gonzalez perea et al , 2018)
Water saving
• Optimum fuel usage by selective farm operations. (Hedley et
al., 2009)
Energy conservation
19. Green house gas mitigation in rice-wheat system with leaf
colour chart
10619
13692
12395
13061
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
Control Conventional LCC≤4 LCC≤5
GWP
(
kg
CO
2
/ha)
Treatments
LCC based urea application can reduce GWP of a rice–wheat system by 10.5%
Bhatia et al., 2012
19
20. Saving of pesticides and foliar fertilizers in VRT
Chen et al., 2021
Ohio, USA
20
Comparison between conventional (Con) and intelligent (Int) spray
Fruit Farm Nu
Yr Application rate Con Int Con
2017 Average (L/ha) 568az
268 b 1055 a
Change (%) –52.8
2018 Average (L/ha) 698 a 369 b 508 a
Change (%) –47.1
2019 Average (L/ha) 657 a 402 b 453 a
Change (%) –38.8
21. 21
Savings of 25% irrigation water and a yield increase of 2.8% in soybean using VRI as
compared to URI was reported by Sui and yan (2017).
By irrigation simulations using VRI management, water savings from 9% to 29% were
reported by Hedley et al. (2009).
Dennis et al. (2010) reported seasonal water savings from 0.33 to 1.0 ML/ha with VRT.
Less ground water pollution
Sigua et al. (2017) demonstrated that a VRI system for corn resulted in lower
concentrations of water nitrate and phosphate leached from the plots that were delineated
by soil texture.
Water saving through VRT approach in developed
countries.
22. DEVELOPED NATIONS INDIA
• Accurate application of inputs and increasing
input efficiency
• Fuel saving + labour saving +Agricultural input
saving
• Improves soil conditions + Improving operator
conditions
• A tool to combat climate change
• Water saving
• Focus is to achieve quality yield through VRT
(DEFRA, 2013)
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Maximum production is achieved with minimum
available inputs. Overall fertilizer consumption rate of India is small (84.3 kg/ha of
arable land) in comparison to other countries (like China 266.4 kg/ha of arable land).
• Fuel saving +Agricultural input saving
• Improves soil conditions
• Focus is to achieve higher quantity of Yield
through VRT
Keskin et al. (2017)
Pros In Developed countries and India 22
23. 23
Disadvantages of VRT
Complex Technology
Lack of Research
Not for uniform and small farms
High initial capital investment
Lack of technical awareness
24. 24
Complex Technology
MAP based VRT :-
Building prescription maps for decision support is tedious and time consuming.
Tools for the fusion of information from several GIS layers to form management zones are not
straightforward (Moral et al., 2010; Gili et al., 2017).
Dynamic prescription maps and MZs are necessary because various factors vary spatially, and
temporally throughout the season (Longchamps et al., 2015).
Greater level of management required (Stone et al., 2016).
Sensor based VRT :-
Requires several working components
More on field working sensitive technology that is more prone to damage (Types of sensors,
frequency of sensors)
Adaptation of existing machinery to VRT
25. 25
Not for all size of farms
Countries with bigger farms (US, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina) tend to adopt
in a bigger margin. The US is the only leading developed country in the adoption of VRT.
80% of the grain growers use automatic guidance in Australia (Leonard, 2014).
98% of farmers surveyed, were using GPS guidance in western Canada (Steele 2017).
In general, farmer having at least a few hundred hectares are most likely to adopt high
cost new technologies. (Keskin 2013; Keskin & Sekerli, 2016).
Farmers with fields larger than 300 ha tend to be the first to invest in new technologies.
(Fountas et al. 2005)
A farm of less than 100 ha were hesitatnt on the adoption of VRT in Germany. (Paustian
and Theuvsen 2016)
Majority of the farmers (56.4%) using tractor auto guidance in the Adana province of
Turkey had a field size of >100 ha. (Keskin et al. 2017)
26. 26
High initial capital investment
The major issues compared with conventional systems are greater capital costs (Evans et al., 2013)
GIS, GPS, GNSS, Satellites and Drones are some high capital investment
Types of sensors, frequency of sensors modulate the economics greatly
Sometimes, repair and maintenance of the technology takes the toll
Lack of technical awareness and Research
Limited comprehensive technical support from the agro industry (Martin et al., 2015).
Lack of technical guidance from government institutes
27. 27
Cons of VRT in India as compared to developed countries
The problem of land fragmentation :- small field size, scattered land holdings
a) More than 58 percent of operational holdings in the country have size less than 1 ha.
b) Only in the states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat more than 20 % of agricultural lands have operational holding size of
more than four hectare.
(Pinaki Mondal et al, 2011)
Poor economic condition of general Indian farmer.
a) High initial cost of machinery
b) Maintenance and running cost
(Sushil Sharma et al., PAU, 2014)
Lack of highly sophisticated technical help centers and specific software
Lack of technical expertise, knowledge, technology and technical staff
Poor network of providers for custom hiring purpose (Chaudhary et al, 2020).
Lack of government schemes for adoption of VRT
28. Cons in Developed countries and India
DEVELOPED NATIONS INDIA
• High initial setup costs
• Not accurate enough, liable to errors
• Need of High accuracy sensing and data
management tools
• No Adoption of sensor based VRT, due to complex
technology of sensors.
• More popularity of auto guidance systems than
VRT in last decade.
(DEFRA, 2013)
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• High initial cost, maintenance cost
• Not suitable for small size and variable plots
• Satisfaction with the available technology
• Need of less expensive technology which is
suitable to local areas
• No technical knowledge
• No Adoption of Automatic tools of VRT, MAP
based or sensor based VRT
• Lack of research and government's initiatives
Keskin et al. (2017)
28
30. What needs to be done ?
Development of VRT according to needs of small and marginal farmers -
a) 'Virtual land consolidation' while keeping ownership structure intact
b) Individual farms will be treated as if they were management zones within a field and that some
centralized entity will provide information to the individual farmers on a co-operative basis
(Plant, 2001)
Custom hiring of costly tools of VRT
Development of VRT suiting the local conditions
Creation of multidisciplinary teams involving agricultural scientists in various fields, engineers, manufacturers
and economists to study the overall scope of variable rate technologies.
Formation of farmer’s co-operatives since many of the variable rate technology tools are costly (GIS, GPS, RS,
etc.)
Government control over indiscriminate farm inputs would induce the farmer to go for alternative approach.
Pilot study should be conducted on farmer’s field to show the results of VRT implementation. (Sushil Sharma,
PAU, 2014)
30
31. The high cost positioning systems can be replaced by 'dead reckoning system’ for small fields. (Monson,
1997).
Integrating farmer knowledge, precision agriculture tools, and crop simulation modelling to evaluate
management options for poor-performing patches in cropping fields.
A nationwide Agricultural Advanced Technology (AAT) program should be started for next 10 years.
The scope of application of already developed Information Technology and satellite-based technology in
the agricultural field should be studied for local areas.
Trial farm projects for VRT should be started region wise. (Mondal and Basu, 2009; Bhangale and
Mondal, 2011; Tewari and Mondal, 2011).
200 Agricultural Advanced Technology Park (AATP) should be developed in each region throughout the
country (as an example, China already developed 153 no of such parks (Maohua, 2001)). These AATP can
work as as incubator of mature technology already developed in developed countries.
Attitudes of confidence toward using the precision agriculture technologies, perceptions of net benefit,
farm size and farmer educational levels positively influence the intention of farmers to adopt precision
agriculture technologies (Adrian et al., 2005).
31
Suggestions from Pinaki Mondal Report, 2011
32. 32
Conclusion
Application of VRT reduces overall amount of inputs used
improves crop yields through optimal use of inputs.
Hence in future scope of VRT in agriculture could be
immense if land consolidation practices get a good rhythm
in India (Chaudhary et al. 2020).
Beside this some local interventions needs to be applied
considering the local conditions to promote and use the VRT
in an efficient and economic manner.
Therefore VRT is not only suitable for developed countries
but also for India, only if applied properly and can work as a
tool to destroy the distance between developed world and
India.
