Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #350744
Title: Variable-rate application technologies in precision agriculture

Author
item Sudduth, Kenneth - Ken
item FRANZEN, AARON - South Dakota State University
item Zhu, Heping
item Drummond, Scott

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/24/2018
Publication Date: 11/6/2018
Citation: Sudduth, K.A., Franzen, A.J., Zhu, H., Drummond, S.T. 2018. Variable-rate application technologies in precision agriculture. In: Stafford, J.V., editor. Precision Agriculture for Sustainability. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. p. 171-194.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Precision agriculture can be viewed as a cyclic process, involving data collection, development of management plans, implementing those plans in the field, and evaluation of the effort. Implementation of precision management plans generally involves some sort of variable-rate application (VRA) technology, where fertilizer or crop protection chemicals are applied differentially according to spatially-variable need across the field. This chapter provides information on the basic concepts and implementation of VRA technology, including the alternative approaches available for both liquid and dry product application. It also provides two case-study examples of operating VRA systems, summarizes the current status of VRA technology and explores possible future trends in the field.