Method and system for spatial evaluation of field and crop performance
First Claim
1. A method of determining a difference in the value of a first spatially-variable field characteristic, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing a field, wherein said field comprises a first and a second crop test area;
b) obtaining spatially-referenced field characteristic data for a designated region of said field, wherein said region comprises said first and said second crop test areas;
c) designating said spatially-referenced field characteristic data to said first or said second crop test area;
d) defining cells in said first and said second crop test areas, wherein said defining comprises designating length units within said first and said second crop test areas; and
e) comparing said field characteristic data for a first cell from said first crop test area to an adjacent first cell from said second crop test area to identify a difference in the value of said field characteristic data.
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Abstract
The invention provides a method for analyzing spatial variations in field and crop performance. The method allows analysis of the field and crop performance as a function of various treatment and/or environmental conditions. This method is an advance over the prior art in that it allows better defined, more accurate comparisons of adjacent test areas, eliminating the need for extrapolation of data and avoiding inaccuracies therefrom. Also, the more accurate comparisons allow better characterization of effects due to the environment, such as those caused by genotype by environment (G×E) interaction. The more accurately defined comparison units also lead to improved analysis when comparing to other data layers for non-spatial analysis. The invention also provides a system for carrying out this method. The system preferably includes a device for inputting spatially-referenced data, a memory, an output device, and a processor. The output data may be represented spatially or non-spatially. The information provided by the method and system of the invention will allow farmers to make more informed decisions regarding seed and farming inputs and practices, thereby maximizing agricultural productivity.
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Citations
68 Claims
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1. A method of determining a difference in the value of a first spatially-variable field characteristic, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) preparing a field, wherein said field comprises a first and a second crop test area;
b) obtaining spatially-referenced field characteristic data for a designated region of said field, wherein said region comprises said first and said second crop test areas;
c) designating said spatially-referenced field characteristic data to said first or said second crop test area;
d) defining cells in said first and said second crop test areas, wherein said defining comprises designating length units within said first and said second crop test areas; and
e) comparing said field characteristic data for a first cell from said first crop test area to an adjacent first cell from said second crop test area to identify a difference in the value of said field characteristic data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A system for determining a difference in a first spatially-variable field characteristic, comprising:
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a) a first input device for receiving spatially-referenced field characteristic data;
b) a second input device for receiving user commands;
c) a processor unit communicating with said first and said second input device to designate said field characteristic data to a first crop test area or a second crop test area according to said user commands, to define cells from said first crop test area or said second crop test area based on the user commands, and to calculate a difference between a first cell from said first crop test area and an adjacent first cell from said second crop test area; and
d) an output device for displaying said difference. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. A system for determining a difference in a spatially-variable field characteristic, comprising:
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a) a first input means for receiving spatially-referenced field characteristic data;
b) a second input means for receiving user commands;
c) a processing means communicating with said first and said second input device to designate said field characteristic data to a first crop test area or a second crop test area according to said user commands, to define cells from said first crop test area or said second crop test area based on the user commands, and to calculate a difference between a first cell from said first crop test area and an adjacent first cell from said second crop test area; and
d) an output means for displaying said difference. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
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Specification