Accurate prediction of soil moisture for optimal timing of fertilizer and irrigation

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Optimal timing of fertilizer and irrigation, and defining their application rates are keys for crop growth and have a direct impact on crop yield. Timing, as well as application rate, depends on the soil moisture content. Thus, accurate prediction of soil moisture at seeding times and during the crop growth season is critical for Canadian farmers. Standard methods for prediction do not include actual weather behavior but rely on vegetation data from previous years. This method helps in the classification of yield potential zones but, unfortunately, cannot be used to predict soil moisture levels at seeding or during the crop growth period. In this proposed research, our main objective is to estimate the soil moisture based on actual weather forecasts and to convert the information to the size of an agricultural plot. To do this, we will develop a method that takes water flow and nutrient transport processes in the soil into account. In a second step, the result will be transferred to an agricultural plot. Thus, the soil moisture content will be available for the whole field and for the time of the available weather forecast. Farmers will be able to get information about the optimal timing of fertilizer and irrigation and on optimal application rates of fertilizer. This will reduce fertile costs and increase the crop yield.