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This
project, in collaboration with other projects under the
peanut precision agriculture umbrella, examines a range
of PA techniques in field scale research settings:
1. Grid soil mapping for physical and chemical properties
and topography;
2. Using imaging technology for site-specific identification
of conditions and problems;
3. Ground survey of problem areas with GPS-referencing;
4. GPS-referenced yield mapping; and
5. Site-specific remedies to localized situations in the
field.
Research results will help to establish relationships between
localized conditions within the field and whether particular
PA approaches are economically useful.
The practicality of PA tools is
probably the most valuable result that can come out of this
research.
Specifically, it will layout details of how to implement
and utilize PA approaches in the real world and test whether
or not they pay.
Since 1997, we have utilized aerial infrared photography,
soil nutrient maps, soil texture maps, soil depth maps,
and GPS-referenced peanut yield mapping primarily at the
Agricultural Complex for Advanced Research and Extension
Systems (AG-CARES) near Lamesa to determine relationships
with production of quality peanuts.
We were involved in early testing and successful utilization
of peanut yield mapping systems developed by University
of Georgia scientists and engineers.
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This
past year, we have developed the Western Peanut Growers
Research Farm (WPGRF) from a commercial farm to a research
site specializing in PA and other research on peanut and
its rotation crops.
This
study has involved:
·
grid soil sampling;
·
laying out a new irrigation system
with chemical application capabilities;
·
utilizing infrared photography along
with Farm Service Agency compliance photos and satellite
images to characterize the field and crops;
·
collaborating with USDA-NRCS personnel in obtaining
detailed topographical maps;
·
harvested and collected peanuts to
determine production of quality peanuts through yield
mapping and more conventional means.
Significant
finding include the accuracy of the yield mapping system
and the value of LEPA irrigation in peanut production
Continue data acquisition and integration and interpretation
of past and future observations.
The
findings have been enlightening, but there is so much data
that we have a formidable task in identifying the most useful
relationships, particularly economic analysis.
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