Effect of Variable Rate Fertilizer Application on Spatial Efficiency of Relative Grain Yield and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Major Crops in the Canadian Prairies

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Crop production is rapidly evolving from conventional blanket-rate crop input application to precision farming where crop input applications are precisely determined using geospatial technology, which could lead to improved nutrient efficiency and reduced losses to the environment. Farmers Edge is a pioneer in this technology. However, the effect of Variable Rate Fertilizer Application (VRT) on grain yield and nutrient use efficiency among field zones is currently not well understood. Such information is needed to optimize the VRT technology and therefore adequately address spatial variability of nutrients within a field. To the best of our knowledge, there is little information on the effect of variable rate application on relative grain yield, biomass and nutrient uptake at harvest. The objectives of the proposed study are to (1) determine the effect of VRT on relative grain and biomass yield and nutrient use efficiency and (2) evaluate geostatistical upscaling techniques to determine yield and nutrient use efficiency. These objectives will be tested at 18 field sites established by Farmers Edge across the Canadian Prairies. Soil and plant samples from the sites will be analyzed to determine crop yield and nutrient content and uptake by plants. Results will be used in the optimization of Farmers Edge's VRT technology for greater fertilizer efficiency and minimal nutrient loss to the environment. This will in turn assist Farmers Edge in further market development of the technology.