The Comparison Analysis of Uniform-and Variable-Rate Fertilizations on Winter Wheat Yield Parameters Using Site-Specific Seeding

Abstract

Wheat is among the world’s most important agricultural crops, with winter wheat accounting for approximately 25.5% of the total agricultural crop in Lithuania. The unchangeable goal of crop production is to achieve good and economically beneficial crop yield, but such efforts are often based on conventional agrotechnological solutions, and excessive fertilization, which is uneconomical and negatively affects the soil, the environment, and human health. In order to produce a rich and high-quality cereal crop, scientists and farmers are increasingly focusing on managing the sowing and fertilization processes. Precision technologies based on spectrometric methods of soil and plant characterization can be used to influence the optimization of sowing and fertilizer application rates without compromising crop yield and quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of site-specific seeding and variable-rate precision fertilization technologies on the growth, yield, and quality indicators of winter wheat. Experimental studies were carried out on a 22.4 ha field in two treatments: first (control)—SSS (site-specific seeding) + URF (uniform-rate fertilization); second—SSS + VRF (variable-rate precision fertilization) and 4 repetitions. Before the start of this study, the variability of the soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) was determined and the field was divided into five soil fertility zones (FZ-1, FZ-2, FZ-3, FZ-4, and FZ-5). Digital maps of potassium and phosphorus precision fertilization were created based on the soil samples. Optical nitrogen sensors were used for variable-rate supplementary nitrogen fertilization. The variable-rate precision fertilization method in individual soil fertility zones showed a higher (up to 6.74%) tillering coefficient, (up to 14.55%) grain yield, number of ears per square meter (up to 27.6%), grain number in the ear (up to 6.2%), and grain protein content (up to 12.56%), and a lower (up to 8.61%) 1000-grain weight on average than the conventional flat-rate fertilization. In addition, the use of the SSS + VRF method saved approximately 14 kg N ha−1 of fertilizer compared to the conventional SSS + URF method.

The Influence of Bacteria-Inoculated Mineral Fertilizer on the Productivity and Profitability of Spring Barley Cultivation

“…The depletion of natural resources, energy consumption, and environmental problems associated with fertilizer production processes and fertilizer use are driving a shift towards more sustainable resources [ 1 , 2 ]. Intensive tillage and the heavy use of mineral fertilizers and chemical plant protection products cause imbalances in the biological processes that take place in soil, leading to declines in soil quality [ 3 , 4 ]. To address these problems, various technologies can be applied; these technologies must not negatively impact human health but still be biologically and economically effective [ 5 ].…”

Evaluation of Variable Application Rate of Fertilizers Based on Site-Specific Management Zones for Winter Wheat in Small-Scale Farming

“…Secondly, scholars are more inclined to study spatially variable rate N fertilization [8,24,25], although P and K fertilizers also include necessary nutrients for crop growth, and the scientific ratio of N, P, and K plays a very important role in improving crop yield. Thirdly, the growth difference caused by other factors during wheat growth and development was not studied, so this gap did not promote real-time top-dressing fertilization [26]. In addition, the existing literature pays little attention to the potential agronomic, economic, and environmental benefits of spatially variable rate fertilization.…”

Design and Test of an Arc-Shaped Tooth Press Device for Combined Soil Preparation Equipment for Growing Potatoes

“…One of the most critical factors for increasing potato yields is ensuring that the soil is loose and flat before sowing [1][2][3][4]. Pre-sowing soil preparation for potatoes can enhance the soil's water storage and preservation capacity, increase the soil's moisture content, improve the soil's grain structure, and augment the crop's ability to adapt and regulate under natural conditions [5][6][7]. The press device determines the operation effect of combined soil preparation equipment for potatoes, which is related to whether the whole device can fulfil its purpose of pressing, ensuring flatness, and breaking the soil.…”