#OTOMATA SOIL SENSORS MANUAL#
#OTOMATA SOIL SENSORS SOFTWARE#

Optical sensors use light reflectance to characterize soil. Several approaches for applying electromagnetic sensors have been observed in recent years. In some cases, other soil properties such as residual nitrates or soil pH can be predicted using these sensors. Using electrical response to adjust variable rate application in real-time (Soil Doctor® System, Crop Technology, Inc., Bandera, Texas)Įlectromagnetic soil properties, for the most part, are influenced by soil texture, salinity, organic matter, and moisture content.Mapping transient electromagnetic response (EM-38,Geonics Limited, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada).Mapping electrical conductivity (Veris® 3100, Veris Technologies, Salina, Kansas).Several such sensors are commercially available: When using these sensors, the soil becomes part of an electromagnetic circuit, and changing local conditions immediately affect the signal recorded by a data logger. To date, only a few types of sensors have been investigated, including:Įlectromagnetic sensors use electric circuits to measure the capability for soil particles to conduct or accumulate electrical charge. Scientists and equipment manufacturers are trying to modify existing laboratory methods or develop indirect measurement techniques that could allow on-the-go soil mapping. Prescription maps can be developed using algorithms that involve several data sources as well as personal experience.

#OTOMATA SOIL SENSORS SOFTWARE#

In this case, multiple layers of information including yield maps, a digital elevation model (DEM), and various types of imagery could be pooled together using a geographic information system (GIS) software package designed to manage and process spatial data. Rather than using real-time, on-the-go sensors with controllers, a map-based approach may be more desirable because of the ability to collect and analyze data, make the prescription, and conduct the variable rate application in two or more steps. Currently, there is no site-specific management prescription algorithm proven to be the most favorable for all variables involved in crop production.

Variable rate fertilizer and pesticide applicators may need additional information (like yield potential) to develop prescription algorithms (sets of equations).

Most sensors and applicator controllers need a certain time for measurement, integration, and/or adjustment, which decreases the allowable operation speed or measurement density.

This approach, however, does not take into account several difficulties met in the “real world”: They also hope that the real-time information detected by the sensor and used to prescribe the application rate would optimize the overall economic or agronomic effect of the production input. When thinking about an ideal precision agriculture system, producers visualize a sensor located in direct contact with, or close to, the ground and connected to a “black box” which analyzes sensor response, processes the data, and changes the application rate instantaneously. The cost of mapping usually is reduced as well.

#OTOMATA SOIL SENSORS MANUAL#

Depending on the spacing between passes, travel speed, and sampling and/or measurement frequency, the number of measurement points per acre varies however, in most cases, it is much greater than the density of manual grid sampling.

These sensors can be used either to control variable rate application equipment in real-time or in conjunction with a Global Positioning System (GPS) to generate field maps of particular soil properties. Sensors that measure a variety of essential soil properties on the go are being developed.

Otomata soil sensors