On-combine sensing techniques in arable crops

Authors: Long, Daniel; MCCALLUM, JOHN - Volunteer

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/27/2020
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: A combine harvester provides unique capabilities as a mobile sensing platform. This chapter aims to contribute to the advancement of on-combine sensor use for obtaining site-specific crop data by trying to convince potential users in the agricultural community of its value and accessibility. Today, mass/volume flow and electrical capacitance sensors are widely used for measuring grain yield and moisture. A variety of other sensors have been used in crop analysis and process control that include photoelectronic spectrometers for analysis of crop quality attributes as well as ultrasonic and laser sensors for quantifying aboveground biomass. Applications of this information include precision N management, post-harvest assessment of crop stress, grain segregation by protein, and mapping of late-season weed infestations. Barriers challenging wider adoption of on-combine sensing techniques include the need for (i) software for exploring multi-year yield data and constructing profit zones, (ii) inexpensive spectrometers for grain quality measurement and mapping, (iii) commercial firms offering services in spectroscopy, custom mapping, and data fusion, (iv) stand-alone units with user interface and firmware for multi-sensor data collection, and (v) field studies demonstrating economic benefits of various applications of information from on-combine sensing.

Technical Abstract: A combine harvester provides unique capabilities as a mobile sensing platform. This chapter aims to contribute to the advancement of on-combine sensor use for obtaining site-specific crop data by trying to convince potential users in the agricultural community of its value and accessibility. Today, mass/volume flow and electrical capacitance sensors are widely used for measuring grain yield and moisture. A variety of other sensors have been used in crop analysis and process control that include photoelectronic spectrometers for analysis of crop quality attributes as well as ultrasonic and laser sensors for quantifying aboveground biomass. Applications of this information include precision N management, post-harvest assessment of crop stress, grain segregation by protein, and mapping of late-season weed infestations. Barriers challenging wider adoption of on-combine sensing techniques include the need for (i) software for exploring multi-year yield data and constructing profit zones, (ii) inexpensive spectrometers for grain quality measurement and mapping, (iii) commercial firms offering services in spectroscopy, custom mapping, and data fusion, (iv) stand-alone units with user interface and firmware for multi-sensor data collection, and (v) field studies demonstrating economic benefits of various applications of information from on-combine sensing.