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Title: FREQUENCY ANALYSIS OF YIELD FOR DELINEATING YIELD RESPONSE ZONES

Author
item DIKER, KENAN
item HEERMANN, DALE
item BRODAHL, MARY

Submitted to: Precision Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2004
Publication Date: 10/20/2004
Citation: Diker, K., Heermann, D.F., Brodahl, M.K. 2004. Frequency analysis of yield for delineating yield response zones. Precision Agriculture.

Interpretive Summary: Farmers using combines with yield monitoring systems have been collecting yield data for a few years now. However, analysis of the multi-year yield data was a problem. The common method to analyze the multi-year yield data results in smoothing over time. This paper reports on a methodology that we developed using a "frequency analysis" procedure to create yield response zones that can be translated into potential management zones. The advantage of this analysis is the overcoming of smoothing over time. The procedure seemed to be effectively separating the stable low and high yielding zones from the fluctuating ones over years. We expect producers and crop consultants will find this methodology useful in creating site-specific management plans.

Technical Abstract: The yield in any given field or management zone is a product of interaction between many soil properties and production inputs. Therefore, multi-year yield maps may give better insight into determining potential management zones. This research was conducted to develop a methodology to delineate yield response zones by using two-state frequency analysis conducted on yield maps for three years on two commercial corn fields near Wiggins, Colorado. A zone was identified by the number of years that yield was equal and greater than the average yield in a given year. Classes producing statistically similar yield were combined resulting in three potential yield zones. Results indicated that the variability of yield over time and space could successfully be assessed at the same time without the drawbacks of averaging data from different years. Frequency analysis of multi-year yield data could be an effective way to establish yield response zones. 17% of the field #6 consistently produced lower yield than the mean while 43% of the field produced yield over the mean. Corresponding values for field #39 were 6% and 42%. The remainder of the fields produced fluctuating yields between years. These spatially and temporally sound yield response maps could be used to identify the yield-limiting factors in zones where yield is either low or fluctuating. Yield response maps could also be helpful to delineate potential management zones with the help of resource zones such as electrical conductivity and soil maps, along with the directed soil sampling results.