First-Of-Its-Kind Fertilizer System "Reads" Crop Need

First-Of-Its-Kind Fertilizer System "Reads" Crop Need FERTILIZER APPLICATION Fertilizer Application (58f) 27-2-25 Soil sampling may be a thing of the past if this revolutionary new "Greenseeker" fertilizing system catches on. That's because it "reads" the nitrogen needs of crops on-the-go and only applies what is needed. The first-of-its-kind system was introduced at the recent World Ag Expo in California. The GreenSeeker variable rate system top-dresses fertilizer after using optical sensors to detect plant needs. The system is currently available for wheat and corn. A cotton version will be released later this year or early next year. "It applies less fertilizer where less is needed and more fertilizer where it can be used. Based on university field tests, wheat growers can expect an $8 to $10 per acre return," says John Mayfield, Ntech Industries, Inc., Ukiah, Calif. Developed in partnership with Oklahoma State University (OSU), the system uses an optical sensor and microprocessor-driven spray control system. The sensors mount on the boom next to conventional nozzles and sprayer components. The sensors measure nitrogen needs in a 2-ft. sq. area and work by capturing light reflected from the plant. A microprocessor circuit board analyzes the reflected light and determines whether to activate the spray nozzles for that 2-ft. sq. area and, if so, how much material to apply. "It eliminates wasteful broadcast spraying, which applies the same rate to all the crop," says Mayfield. "We tested the system last year on more than 400 acres of winter wheat, using a 60-ft. boom system on 10 different fields. Results in wheat showed yield increases of 4 to 9 bu.," says Mayfield. "A big advantage is that the system works in real time without the need for expensive, time-consuming Global Position Satellite and field mapping. If you want, field maps of sensor measurements and amount of material applied can be made, however." Conventional inputs of nitrogen based on historical yields results in two thirds of the nutrients being lost to the environment, says Dr. Gordon Johnson, Ph. D., Regents Professor at OSU. "Optical sensing increases nitrogen use efficiency by about 80 to 90 percent, reducing the amount lost to the environment from an average of 65 percent currently to only 10 to 20 percent." Several years ago Ntech developed its "WeedSeeker" spray system for herbicides. It uses optical sensors to signal a spray nozzle to deliver a precise amount of herbicide to weeds instead of bare ground. It's used when preparing fallow ground for seeding. "Since our optical sensors use artificial light, the variable rate system works for both day and night spraying. Using it at night will reduce fertilizer volatility and wind drift," notes Mayfield. Both systems sell for about $1,000 per boom foot. The company also offers a new hand held crop research and consulting tool that goes with the GreenSeeker. It can be used to monitor changing field conditions and to quantify basic nutrient response, crop condition, yield potential, stress, and pest impact. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ntech Industries, Inc., 740 South State Street, Ukiah, Calif. 95482 (ph 888 728-2438 or 707 467-3747; fax 707 467-3750; E-mail: jmayfield@ntechindustries.com; Website: www.ntechindustries.com).

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