Fertilizer applicator, agricultural irrigation

New ones are constantly appearing on the marketfertilizer applicators, promising a revolution in agriculture. And often this is not so much a breakthrough technology as an attempt to sell a more expensive and complex mechanism. I’ve been in this field for so many years, I see that many farmers get lost in this diversity and don’t always understand what exactly they need and what is just a marketing ploy. The point, of course, is not that the old methods are outdated, but that modern solutions make it possible to achieve much more accurate and effective plant nutrition.

The problem is not in the tool, but in understanding

Often the problem is not theirrigation in agricultureand methods of applying fertilizers, but in the incorrect selection of fertilizers, in the lack of knowledge about the needs of a particular crop at different stages of its development. If you take corn, for example, there are some needs when it sprouts, but during the budding period it is completely different. And, naturally, if you apply fertilizers based on average indicators or simply “according to a recipe,” then the result will be far from ideal. In our region, you know, the soil is heterogeneous, the pH varies depending on the site. Simply taking the same solution for the entire field is a recipe for inefficiency.

I have repeatedly seen farmers buying the most modernfertilizer applicators, to simply distribute fertilizers evenly across the field, without taking into account their chemical composition or soil characteristics. The result is a waste of money, time and, most importantly, loss of harvest. It is much more effective to first conduct a soil analysis, determine the nutrient deficiency, and then select the optimal fertilizer application regime and select the appropriate equipment. And, of course, staff training - without this, no technology will help.

Soil analysis: the foundation for success

This is probably the most important thing. Soil analysis is not just a laboratory report, but the basis for planning the entire plant nutrition process. It is necessary to understand not only the content of basic nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), but also the presence of microelements, soil pH, and organic matter. We often use combined analysis methods - laboratory research combined with field testing. This way we get the most complete picture and can accurately determine what fertilizers are needed and in what quantity.

Recently, more and more farmers have been turning to us, Shandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology LLC, with requests for comprehensive solutions, including soil analysis, development of an optimal plant nutrition plan and selection of appropriate equipment. We work closely with leading laboratories and manufacturersfertilizer applicatorsto offer our clients the most modern and effective solutions.

Intelligent systems: a step forward

Now let's talk aboutirrigation in agricultureand intelligent fertilization systems. Here, of course, progress is taking place by leaps and bounds. There are systems that automatically adjust the dosage of fertilizers depending on soil moisture, temperature, and the phase of plant development. For example, we once worked on a project to optimize the nutrition of an apple orchard. We used soil moisture sensors, data from a weather station and machine learning algorithms to develop the optimal fertilizer application regime. As a result, productivity increased by 15%, and fertilizer costs decreased by 10%.

But it’s important not to overdo it here. Some farmers try to automate every detail, install a bunch of sensors and control systems, and then get lost in the data flow. It is important to choose a system that matches the real needs and capabilities of the farm. And, of course, you need to understand how to correctly interpret data and make decisions based on it.

Automation and remote control

Particularly useful is the possibility of remote controlfertilizer applicators. This allows you to quickly respond to changes in weather conditions, adjust the dosage of fertilizers and control the process of applying fertilizers from anywhere in the world. For example, we have clients whose fields are located at a great distance from management. Using remote control systems, they can control the fertilizer application process without going to the field.

It is important that the remote control system is reliable and fault-tolerant. You should not skimp on the quality of hardware and software, otherwise you may encounter serious problems. We often use IoT-based systems that allow us to receive real-time data and control equipment remotely. This significantly increases the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the processirrigation in agricultureand application of fertilizers.

Real cases and lessons

I remember the case of one farmer who bought an expensivefertilizer applicatorwith spot application function. He hoped that this would allow him to significantly reduce fertilizer costs. But, unfortunately, he did not take into account the characteristics of the soil and the needs of plants. As a result, targeted application of fertilizers led to uneven nutrition of plants and a decrease in yield. It was a bitter experience, but it taught him to be more careful in choosing equipment and planning the plant nutrition process.

Another example is the use of drones to monitor crop health and identify nutrient deficiencies. We conducted field tests using drones equipped with multispectral cameras. By analyzing data obtained from drones, we were able to identify areas of the field that needed additional fertilization. This allowed us to optimize the process of plant nutrition and increase productivity. We try to integrate such technologies into comprehensive solutions forirrigation in agricultureand fertilizer applications offered by Shandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology Co.,Ltd.

The main conclusion from these examples is that you should not blindly trust the promises of equipment manufacturers. It is important to understand that effective plant nutrition is a complex process that requires knowledge, experience and an individual approach. And choicefertilizer applicator– this is just one of the elements of this complex.

Development prospects

I am confident that the role of intelligent systems in agriculture will only grow in the future. New sensors, new algorithms, and new ways to control plant nutrition processes will appear. We, as a company, strive to be at the forefront of this trend, constantly improving our technology and offering our customers the most modern and effective solutions. We continue to invest in the development of new remote control systems, in the integration of data from weather stations and drones, and in the development of machine learning algorithms.

In addition, we are working on creating our ownfertilizer applicators, which will be adapted to the conditions of our region and will be as convenient to use as possible. We believe that through the joint efforts of scientists, engineers and farmers, we can ensure sustainable agricultural development and ensure food security for the country.