Step 12: Variable fertilizing

Variable fertilization during the growing season can be applied in two ways: variable fertilizer dosing and variable foliar fertilizer dosing. Both applications are done on the basis of the same information.

Fertilizer
Fertilizer is sprinkled at various times during the growing season. First, the slurry is supplemented with elements N and K. During the growing season, crop measurements are carried out and these are then arranged. The fertilized moment is determined on the basis of this ranking.
If the moment of additional fertilization is known, the corresponding yield potential map is used as the basis.
During fertilization, the crop is scanned with a sensor that measures the nitrogen and vegetation indexes. We provide extra fertilizer to the places where the potato plants have a high yield potential. We give less fertilizer to places where there is a low yield potential.

The figure above shows a yield potential map and the fertilizer spreader with crop sensor. The light brown spot shows a high yield potential and the dark brown spot shows a low yield potential. The sensor on the front of the tractor measures the crop, looks at the yield potential map and calculates the correct amount that is then applied to the fertilizer spreader on the back of the tractor. In this way, the plots are not fertilized homogeneously, but instead extra fertilized in places where the yield potential is high.

Leaf fertilization
A leaf fertilizer is applied weekly during crop protection. This allows us to correct small variations in the field early. The sprayers are equipped with a double tank and 6 independent sections and 6 crop sensors. Based on the crop measurements, an amount of foliar fertilizer is automatically applied in sections of 6 meters.

In addition, Van den Borne potatoes can mix leaf fertilizers themselves in the mixing kitchen. This allows the correct foliar fertilization for a field to be created based on taken leaf samples and crop data