Understanding and identifying variability

Authors: Kitchen, Newell; CLAY, S - South Dakota State University

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Book
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2017
Publication Date: 5/15/2018
Citation: Kitchen, N.R., Clay, S. 2018. Understanding and identifying variability. In: Shannon, D.K., Clay, D.A., Kitchen, N.R. editors. Precision Agriculture Basics. Madison, WI: ASA, CSSA, and SSSA. p. 13-24. doi:10.2134/precisionagbasics.2016.0033.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2134/precisionagbasics.2016.0033

Interpretive Summary: Variability is the quality of being uneven or lacking uniformity. Understanding the causes, magnitude, and strategies to manage variability within crop production settings can be used to directly improve agricultural production systems. Identifying when the magnitude of variability is high enough to influence agronomic outcomes and responding appropriately to the variability are the core principles of precision farming. Two types of variability are especially important in precision farming: spatial and temporal variability. Spatial variability refers to quantitative or qualitative differences found when comparing two or more locations. Temporal variability is the change of some biophysical property that occurs over time. Concurrent variations in space and time define some of the greatest challenges, and therefore opportunities, for agriculture. Thus, being able to both identify and quantify spatial and temporal variability is fundamental for improving food production with precision farming. As such, precision farming is often defined as tailoring management to match spatial and temporal variability of fields. Managing variability to sustain yield and field health is an overarching principle and the basis of precision farming. The specific intensity of precision management (by square foot, by acre, by soil type, or by field) will be dictated by skill and knowledge of the land manager, the variability of the land base, and the cost/return of various management techniques. This book introduces to college underclassmen students many concepts about precision farming. Studying the basic foundations of precision farming will aid students in appreciating the many different and diverse practices that can be considered when addressing variability. In addition, understanding variability is needed through different frameworks. Knowledge of spatial and temporal variability, separately or together, is one framework that helps provide a context for questions that can be addressed with precision agriculture. Another framework may be to explore how abiotic and biotic factors work independently or interactively to create crop plant stress. Because soil and landscape factors are spatially-variable within fields, the source and degree of both abiotic- and biotic-induced crop stress will also be variable. Students studying this chapter and book will gain a greater knowledge of precision farming principles and practices.

Technical Abstract: Variability is the quality of being uneven or lacking uniformity. Understanding the causes, magnitude, and strategies to manage variability within crop production settings can be used to directly improve agricultural production systems. Identifying when the magnitude of variability is high enough to influence agronomic outcomes and responding appropriately to the variability are the core principles of precision farming. Two types of variability are especially important in precision farming: spatial and temporal variability. Spatial variability refers to quantitative or qualitative differences found when comparing two or more locations. Temporal variability is the change of some biophysical property that occurs over time. Concurrent variations in space and time define some of the greatest challenges, and therefore opportunities, for agriculture. Thus, being able to both identify and quantify spatial and temporal variability is fundamental for improving food production with precision farming. As such, precision farming is often defined as tailoring management to match spatial and temporal variability of fields. Managing variability to sustain yield and field health is an overarching principle and the basis of precision farming. The specific intensity of precision management (by square foot, by acre, by soil type, or by field) will be dictated by skill and knowledge of the land manager, the variability of the land base, and the cost/return of various management techniques. This book introduces to college underclassmen students many concepts about precision farming. Studying the basic foundations of precision farming will aid students in appreciating the many different and diverse practices that can be considered when addressing variability. In addition, understanding variability is needed through different frameworks. Knowledge of spatial and temporal variability, separately or together, is one framework that helps provide a context for questions that can be addressed with precision agriculture. Another framework may be to explore how abiotic and biotic factors work independently or interactively to create crop plant stress. Because soil and landscape factors are spatially-variable within fields, the source and degree of both abiotic- and biotic-induced crop stress will also be variable. Students studying this chapter and book will gain a greater knowledge of precision farming principles and practices.