Perceived importance of precision farming technologies in improving phosphorus and potassium efficiency in cotton production

Abstract

Site-specific information technologies (IT) provide knowledge about the spatial variability within a field to improve the efficiency of inputs through variable-rate (VR) applications. Identifying factors that influence farmers' perceptions of the importance of precision farming (PF) technologies in improving the efficiency of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer applications can help to determine why different groups of farmers adopt PF. Knowing these factors can be useful in targeting specific groups of farmers to adopt PF and increase fertilizer efficiency to meet crop needs and reduce P and K losses to the environment. Data were obtained from a 2001 mail survey of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) farmers in six southeastern states in the United States of America. Ordered logit analysis was used to evaluate the level of importance to those who had adopted PF technologies placed on such technologies they had used to improve the efficiency of P and K applications. Results showed that such farmers found soil sampling by management zone or on a grid, and on-the-go sensing most important. Precision farmers who used mapping and remote sensing found PF technologies least important. Older precision farmers who rented larger proportions of their land and used computers for farm management were more likely than other precision farmers to place greater importance on PF technologies in improving the efficiency of P and K applications.

Variabilidade espacial de atributos físico-químicos do solo e seus efeitos na produtividade do algodoeiro

“…Quando é identificado comportamento heterogêneo, pode-se efetuar aplicações de fertilizantes e corretivos de acidez em taxa variável e também realizar manejos regionalizados de solo e da cultura (Torbett et al, 2007). Entretanto, quando os fatores que afetam a produtividade não podem ser corrigidos devido às características intrínsecas do solo é aconselhável utilizar a estratégia de criação de zonas de manejo e tratá-las diferentemente ajustando as tecnologias conforme o potencial produtivo de cada local (Walton et al, 2008).…”

“…No entanto, entre todas as tecnologias de AP utilizadas os mapas de colheita foram os que mais auxiliaram na tomada de decisão atingindo 28% dos casos (Torbett et al, 2007). Entre os principais fatores que definem a lucratividade de uma cultura estão a produtividade e os custos de produção sendo que a maximização da eficiência de uso dos recursos disponíveis permite a sustentabilidade econômica do sistema produtivo.…”

Factors affecting farmer adoption of remotely sensed imagery for precision management in cotton production

“…A review of the literature on the adoption of precision agriculture was used to identify the characteristics of the farmer and the farm operation that might influence adoption of RS (e.g., Batte and Arnholt 2003;Daberkow et al 2003;Khanna 2001;Napier et al 2000;Popp and Griffin 2001;Roberts et al 2004;Torbett et al 2007). Using information from these sources, the following binomial logit model was specified:…”

IT as enabler of sustainable farming: An empirical analysis of farmers' adoption decision of precision agriculture technology

“…To explain the low PA technology adoption prior studies examined a range of individual factors influencing a farmer's adoption decision although the interaction and relationships among the different factors were not considered [e.g. 46,68]. Given the importance of profitable and environmentally sustainable farming practices, a sophisticated analysis of PA technology adoption is required.…”