Study of the Precision Farming with Soil Maps Describing Environmental Load Using a Real-time Soil Sensor

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the availability of information collected using a real-time soil sensor to create soil maps and using a yield meter mounted on a combine harvester to create yield maps, as part of a decision-making support system for precision agriculture. To create soil maps and yield maps, we have measured moisture content and total nitrogen of the soil in a wheat field using the real-time soil sensor before seeding and after harvesting. Yield maps were measured by a yield meter mounted on a combine harvester. Using these maps, we have investigated whether real-time soil sensor provides useful information for precision farming or not. In addition, we have calculated potential of environmental load of wheat cultivation by measuring total nitrogen loss from soil plow layer. According to our results, soil maps created by real-time soil sensor are useful for precision farming.