Calculates the optimal location for fertilizer use

Jim Schepers, a researcher of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Soil and Water Conservation Research Unit in Lincoln, Nebraska

The use of fertilizer for high crop yield reduces costs for producers and is also beneficial for the environment. However, indiscriminate use of fertilizer can contaminate the underground water supply. For this reason, use of fertilizer in appropriate locations with accuracy will enhance crop yield and minimize contamination.

As an effort to accurately locate areas that were in need of fertilizer, Jim Schepers, a researcher of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Soil and Water Conservation Research Unit in Lincoln, Nebraska, used DGPS that can be used to collect accurate, real-time geographical data and apply the geographic information system. First, Schepers made a grid and map of a region using DGPS, and determined the areas with low crop yield by adding the crop output data and the productivity value of the soil. By locating these regions, he was able to obtain data on the regions requiring the use of fertilizer.