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Collecting, processing and interpreting data
To use precision agriculture, it is important to collect the right data, process it correctly, translate and interpret it. This in order to then implement a specific and accurate crop measure. Within the Making-sense project, the mission is to correctly translate crop and soil sensor data into an ultimately automated cultivation measure. The goal within Making-sense is to develop more practical applications for precision agriculture.
For example, at the beginning of the project, a number of focus points were set within Making Sense. These are focus points that can stimulate the development of more practical applications. In addition, they are important points within precision agriculture and why precision agriculture can be useful to take advantage of.
- To apply precision agriculture, it is important to know what the grower wants to achieve. Then the measures to be taken can be focused on. Here it is important to know why the cultivation measure is being done and what it is being done for.
- Collect data in a uniform manner. This collected data can then be stored and processed. In addition, it is possible to compare or exchange data with third parties, such as growers and researchers.
- Sensor systems can be used to collect data. How a sensing system is used depends on its purpose.
- To visualize the condition of the crop and take a crop action based on it. A dashboard or traffic light can be developed.
How can more knowledge about precision agriculture be gained?
By facilitating trial fields, knowledge about precision agriculture can be broadened. For example, practical experience can be gained of how data can be collected in a structured way, how the data can be translated correctly and then made applicable for a (site-specific) cultivation measure. This can be an existing technique or a technique that has not yet been tested within precision agriculture. The goal is to ultimately make the cultivation measure applicable for agricultural entrepreneurs in practice.
In addition, at several locations in the Netherlands in the past, experimental fields were established with a similar set-up. The soil types at the different locations differed. With data that came out of the trial, data was collected on the different growth characteristics of the different regions and the corresponding soils.
Tasting Making-Sense
In recent years, various trials have been carried out on Making-Sense's trial fields. These have mainly involved trials in the area of (variable) fertilization, but there have also been trials with variable planting distances, for example.
The tests within Making-sense are often based on collected and observed data. Originating from soil scans or drone images, for example. The collected data is then translated into a specific cultivation measure.
The making-sense trial field now includes a multi-year trial in which different fertilization strategies are implemented. Here different fertilizer products are used and, in addition, the amount varies. In recent years, as much data as possible has been collected from the trial fields, creating a multi-year data set. Data will also be collected from future trial fields. The data comes from sensors and sampling. The collected data will then be combined, based on which a fertilization formula can be made in the future.
