Variable rate technology offers a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective solution for fertilizer application. A study was conducted to design and develop a variable rate fertilizer applicator to detect real-time deficiency of N within the field and apply it per requirement of the crop. The microcontroller system was designed to receive a signal from the N sensor and send a signal to the pulse-width-modulation valve to vary the rotational speed of the hydraulic motor resulting in variation in the rotation of the metering mechanism drive shaft based on the recommended amount of fertilizer. During the field study, three replications were conducted, each of which was divided into four plots. The response time between the N sensing and fertilizer discharging fell within the range of 3.49 to 4.90 s. Fertilizer applied using the developed variable rate applicator indicated that when the fertilizer rate is increased from N1 to N4 (kg ha−1), NDVI increased from 0.56 to 0.78 and drive shaft rotational speed decreased from 20 to 0 rpm in order to apply the fertilizer at a rate of 0.00 instead of 78.36 kg ha−1. Using the developed applicator demonstrates that this technology could reduce environmental impact, making farming more sustainable.
Soil constitutes a fundamental resource for the production of food and fiber, thereby meeting diverse human needs and sustaining global ecosystems. Soil compaction and electrical conductivity are key soil properties that can significantly impact soil health and contribute to environmental challenges. The findings of the study shed light on the severity of soil compaction, with the highest cone index 4495 kPa value recorded at a depth of 225 mm in sandy loam soil. This highlights the potential limitations on root growth and nutrient uptake, which can have implications for plant productivity and the overall ecosystem. Furthermore, the study examined the electrical conductivity of the soil, which serves as an indicator of soil salinity. Elevated electrical conductivity levels can lead to adverse effects such as reduced crop yields and environmental stress. Bulk density was increased (1.4 to 1.73 Mg/m3) as well as the moisture content of the soil was decreased (7.6 to 4.3 %). Understanding the range of electrical conductivity values observed in the study (11 to 29 mS/m) helps to assess the extent of salinity-related challenges in the studied region. By establishing regression equations between cone index and soil properties like bulk density and moisture content, the study provides valuable insights into the underlying relationships that contribute to soil compaction and its environmental implications. The coefficient of determination (R2) between the bulk density with moisture content and cone index was 0.99 and 0.95, respectively. These findings can assist in the development of strategies to mitigate soil degradation, promote sustainable land management practices, and address environmental concerns related to soil health.
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