Cotton height measurement and variable rate chemical control /
Site-specific crop management (SSCM) is a farming graphics.
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1998.
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| Subjects: |
| Summary: | Site-specific crop management (SSCM) is a farming graphics. method which takes advantage of field variability to optimize site management. Application of SSCM techniques requires knowledge of the spatial variability present in the field and equipment which is capable of applying production inputs in such a way as to address those spatially variable needs. A cotton height sensor was developed and evaluated to provide knowledge of spatially variable cotton heights in an actively growing field. A Gps-controlled direct injection sprayer was assembled from commercially available components and tested by applying growth regulatory chemicals to a cotton crop. A cotton height sensor was developed and evaluated to determine its ability to measure and record cotton heights across a field. Gee-referenced position was recorded with the height sensor output to provide a means by which a map of the cotton height across the field could be made. The cotton height sensor utilized two separate sensing methods for cotton height determination. An infrared light curtain was used to obtain height values within +33 mm (1 .3 in.) of hand measured values. A bank of limit switches with arms contacting the plants was used on the same implement, but the resolution was only +46 mm (1.8 in.). Both methods were evaluated for damage to the growing crop, and damage was within 10% of what a normal cultivation pass might cause. The prototype sensor was found to be capable of farm scale use on a daily basis. A map-based direct injection sprayer was assembled from commercially available components. The system was used to apply plant growth regulators to cotton. The system components included a Deere 6500 sprayer, Rockwell Vision System controller and office geographic information system software, Raven sprayer controller, and two ultra low volume injection modules. A performance evaluation of the sprayer revealed that 64% of the applied rates were within *7.3 mf/ha (0.1 oz/act of the target rates. The system components proved to work well with one another, and the entire system was relatively easy to operate. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major subject: Agricultural Engineering". |
| Physical Description: | xii, 85 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-80). |