N-Sensor - to variably apply nitrogen

N-Sensor: tractor-mounted remote sensing

Site-specific fertilisation is one of the main objectives of precision agriculture. Variable-rate nitrogen application requires accurate and efficient tools to determine the actual crops nitrogen status. Remote sensing techniques offer the opportunity to deliver this information quickly, precisely and cost-efficiently. The N-Sensor has been developed to determine the crop nitrogen status by measuring the light reflectance properties of crop canopies and to enable variable-rate fertilisation “on-the-go”.

Why the N-Sensor ALS 2

Agronomic:

• Unique agronomically based, crop (wheat, oilseed, barley, maize) specific algorithms
• Unique spectral indices to accurately ‘sense’ variable nitrogen supply throughout the main growing season.
• Clean, accurate ‘sensing’ with NO clouds, trees, landscape features to corrupt the data
• Unlimited scanning, day or night, NO waiting for satellites.
• Large ‘scanning footprint’ – up to 4.2m width each side of the sensor
• 4 wavelengths measured giving enhanced accuracy, suppressing the effects of damp leaves (e.g. dew)
• Apply the optimal nitrogen fertiliser rate to every part of the field
• Maximise the crop’s potential across the whole field
• Increased yields and improved grain quality from more homogeneous crops
• Improved combine performance, reducing harvesting time and cost through more uniform crops

Environmental:

• Increase nitrogen use efficiency, reducing the risk of nitrogen losses to the environment
• Decrease nitrogen residues in soils post-harvest
• Reduces carbon footprints

Practical:

• Variable nitrogen applications from simple ‘switch on and go’, to more complex precision mapping and data management.
• Lightweight for easier, safer fitting.
• Modular design for more flexibility in fitting
• LAN connections enable greater distances between sensor heads when mounting.

How does N-Sensor work?

The N-Sensor determines the nitrogen demand by measuring the crop’s light reflectance covering a total area of approximately 50m² / sec. Measurements are taken every second with the system designed to operate at normal working speeds and all bout widths. Most sensing technology applied to agriculture is based on the typical light reflectance curve for vegetation (NDVI). N-Sensor measures light reflectance at specific wavebands related to the crop’s chlorophyll content and biomass. It calculates the actual N-uptake of the crop. Optimum application rates are derived from the N-uptake data and sent to the controller of the variable rate spreader or sprayer, which will adjust fertiliser rates accordingly.

The whole process of determining the crop’s nitrogen requirement and application of the correct fertiliser rate happens instantaneously, with no time delay. This enables “real-time agronomy and application” to be possible.

N-Sensor development

Following development coordinated by Yara’s Research and Development Centre, Hanninghof in Germany, the first N-Sensor (Classic) was introduced in 1999 for use on cereals.

Work to develop the N-Sensor to keep up with changes in cereal production as well as for use on a wider range of crops and has been a continuous part of Yara’s R&D Programme. More than 250 trials have been carried out between 1997 and 2010 to refine its performance and add new programs such as the Absolute-N calibrations for oilseed rape.

N-Sensor and N-Sensor ALS - two systems, one philosophy

In 2006, Yara launched the new N-Sensor ALS (Active Light Source), which works in a similar way to the classic N-Sensor to determine a crop’s nitrogen demand by measuring the crop’s light reflectance. Both systems make use of the same field trial based agronomic algorithms for optimum site-specific fertilisation and both are connected to a vehicle terminal where crop and GPS data is stored for processing.

The major difference between the two N-Sensors is that the ALS Sensor has its own built-in light source. Instead of using daylight for the measurement, the N-Sensor ALS is constantly beaming its own source of light at the crop, using Xenon flash lamps, and recording the reflectance. This enables N-Sensor ALS operation independent from ambient light conditions, even at night.

In 2018 the ALS 2 was launched. During research and development, Yara had recognised the issue of damp leaves (dew) that affects all sensors and the reflectance accuracy achieved. Research was targeted to overcome this issue, culminating in the requirement to capture extra waveband data during sensing. This ‘dew suppression’ is unique amongst sensors and is a feature in the ALS 2 N Sensor. A new modular design and improved connectivity gives the ALS 2 more flexibility and easier mounting options.

Achievements

• The N Sensor ALS was awarded the RASE Gold Medal in 2008
• Cereal yields increased by 3.5% where the same intensity of fertiliser was used
• Oilseed yields increased by 3.9% through the Absolute-N calibration
• Nitrogen savings of up to 14% have been recorded where N Sensor was used
• Increases in nitrogen use efficiency have reduced the carbon footprint by 10-30%
• Combine performance was increased by 12-20% due to reduced lodging, lower losses, and faster intake speeds
• Protein levels in cereal crops showed greater consistency averaging 0.2-0.5% above target
• An 80% reduction in lodging rates (compared with crops where nitrogen was applied under conventional practices)
• The first nitrogen sensor to have ‘dew suppression’ to further improve sensing accuracy.