There have been increasing concerns about the role of agriculture in the release of the nitro oxide greenhouse gas and how it leads to the There have been increasing concerns about the role of agriculture in the release of the nitro oxide greenhouse gas and how it leads to the increased application of nitrogen fertilizers. Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient and next to water is one of the most yield limiting factors in farming. Several studies have been made over the years to help producers manage nitrogen fertilizer to achieve maximum production with minimal inputs as well as gain more value for nitrogen investment while reducing the risk of environmental pollution.
Developed by the Oklahoma State University and constructed by Trimble Agriculture Industry in California, the GreenSeeker nitrogen crop sensing system will help growers meet plant nitrogen needs without overapplying fertilizer, a concept that will lead to decreased costs and increased profits. The hand-held GreenSeeker technology device reduces nitrogen applications by 50% while maintaining yield. A crop sensor can detect wavelengths of reflected light from the crop canopy and produce a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) correlating to leaf chlorophyll. Based on this information, nitrogen rates that are aligned with site-specific crop needs can be prescribed.
The GreenSeeker crop sensor is a measurement device that can be used to assess the health or vigor of a crop in order to make better nutrient management decisions on your farm. Using this technology aids in the instant reading of your crop’s health. Readings can be used to make objective decisions regarding the amount of fertilizer to apply to the crop, thereby making efficient use of fertilizer- a benefit to your bottom line and the environment.
Being a device with a sensor that emits brief bursts of red and infrared light, the GreenSeeker technology measures the amount of each type of light that is reflected from the plant. The sensor then samples the scanned area if the trigger remains engaged. The sensor displays the measured value in terms of an NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) reading (ranging from 0.00 to 0.99) on its LCD display screen. The strength of the detected light is a direct indicator of the health of the crop; the higher the reading, the healthier the plant, so the high-quality optical sensor instantly measures plant vigor.
The advantage of this new technology is that it has easy-to-read display, even in sunlight. This hand-held device has a simple pull-type trigger and comfortable hand grip. It has a micro-USB charging port which makes the device easy to recharge almost everywhere. The GreenSeeker technology is the most user-friendly sensor system according to experts because it does not require the use of soil samples and prevents erosion and leaching.
In conclusion, as the world’s population continues to increase, land resources remain static. Technologies that maximize production, preserve the environment and produce high yield for feeding mankind need to be used. The GreenSeeker technology provides an opportunity for the producer to apply only the needed nitrogen fertilizer on their farms, thereby maximizing production and reducing cost of production. This technology has been employed in agriculture around the world and has been largely successful in its efficacy. GreenSeeker continues to be refined to ensure that it serves farmers from both the developing and developed worlds.
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