Consider site-characteristics

For the site-specific application of mineral and organic fertilizers, especially nitrogen fertilizer, three differently complex approaches using TalkingFields products have proven their worth. Accordingly, you can optimize the site-specific fertilization of your fields in three stages, depending on requirements and effort.

On the one hand, the TF Base Map can be used to derive management zones with different growth conditions and thus different nutrient requirements. On the other hand, the TF Yield Potential Map offers the possibility to plan the nitrogen fertilization according to the achievable target yield. Finally, the combination of TF Base Map and TF Biomass Map allows both the adaptation of the fertilization to the expected target yield during the growing season and the determination of the ideal timing for the application.

TalkingFields products allow you to simultaneously

  • plan an optimal nutrient supply for your crops
  • determine the best date for an application
  • optimize the use of fertilizer and thereby
  • optimize yields in a sustainable way

Learn more about the

  • site-specific application with the TalkingFields Base Map
  • fertilization according to target yield with the TalkingFields Yield Potential Map
  • prescription maps using the map-overlay approach

Site-specific application with the TalkingFields Base Map

The TF Base Map is a perfect basis for planning site-specific applications. Depending on fertilization strategy, the result for nitrogen fertilization can e.g. be reduced fertilizer application in areas with low fertility in the past, as the nutrient (and water) storage capability of the soil is likely low there and fertilization losses are high. Conversely, in areas where crop vigor is continuously high, crop growth and thus the achieved yield can be improved with higher fertilizer application rates.

TalkingFields Base Map

The TF Base Map is an established and powerful product for this purpose, especially in direct comparison with other recognized methods of measurement, e. g. the German soils evaluation (Reichsbodenschätzung), conductivity measurements or yield mapping.

The TF Base Map is created via geostatistical analysis of several years of satellite data in order to exclude influences of weather and different crop types. It indicates statistically significant, persistent, relative biomass differences that can be used as a basis for decision-making for site-specific cultivation.

The TF Base Map can be used as a baseline for prescription maps for sowing, fertilization or plant protection measures – for large areas, reliably and at an affordable price/performance ratio.

The product sheet TF Base Map can be found in the download section.

Fertilization according to target yield with the TalkingFields Yield Potential Map

A second option is to combine the crop-specific TF Yield Potential Map with the fertilization recommendation for the cultivated variety in each field to adapt the N1 fertilization to the target yield. Considering the nitrogen storage (Nmin) in the soil and the field-specific fertilizer recommendation, the first application of the mineral or organic fertilizer is adapted to the specific yield potential (nominal value) from the TF Yield Potential Map. This brings the soil storage to an optimal level for the upcoming growth period without burdening the environment unnecessarily.

TalkingFields Yield Potential Map

The TF Yield Potential Map shows the average potential yield of a selectable crop in t/ha with knowledge of local climate, soil conditions and topographical situation.

For the TF Yield Potential Map, the potential yield over several years is calculated using a crop growth model (PROMET) resulting the mean value over all years. Thus, the influence of different weather conditions is minimized, and  the calculated value is representative. 

Via the TF Base Map, the simulated potential yields are then transferred to the detailed site-specific TF Yield Potential Map.

The product sheet TF Yield Potential Map can be found in the download section.

Prescription Maps using the Map-Overlay Approach

Various scientific studies and practical trials have shown that a combination of long-term yield potential and the current development and supply status of the crop leads to the best results in site-specific nitrogen fertilization. This is called the map overlay approach. By extracting long-term biomass patterns from archive data (TF Base Map / TF Yield Potential Map) and calculating the current biomass status with current satellite data and a growth model (TF Biomass Map), TalkingFields’ methods make it possible to build the map overlay approach on one uniform, comprehensive data source.

TalkingFields Biomass Map

The TF Biomass Map shows the total above-ground dry biomass on the field in t/ha at a specific date. The crop growth can be monitored during the growing season in order to be able to react appropriately to current conditions.

Four TF Biomass Maps will be delivered during growth period at selectable dates. Usually dates shortly before or on the day of a planned task (e. g. fertilization) are used.

For the calculation of the TF Biomass Map, current satellite data are combined with a crop growth model (PROMET). This makes it possible to create maps even at times when there is no high-quality satellite image available.

The product sheet TF Biomass Map can be found in the download section.