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Precision agriculture has become a key tool to enhance productivity and environmental efficiency in sugarcane. Nitrogen fertilization plays a critical role, directly impacting production costs, yields, and sustainability.

This article shares the results of a study carried out in Tucumán, Argentina, where a replicable workflow was validated for site-specific application of solid nitrogen fertilizers using precision technologies.

Original Authors:
Rodríguez, R.A.¹, A. Deraco², P.E. Benedetti¹, and J.V. Saez¹
¹INTA, CR TuSgo, EEA Famaillá, Tucumán, Argentina. Contact: saez.julio@inta.gob.ar
²VERION, Commercial Department, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Optimization of Nitrogen Fertilization in Sugarcane with Precision Agriculture

Agriculture 5.0 and the Challenge of Fertilization in Sugarcane

Agriculture 5.0 introduces new challenges to improve the productivity and sustainability of strategic crops like sugarcane.
In this context, precision fertilization in sugarcane is a key factor, especially for nitrogen management, an essential nutrient with high economic and environmental impact.

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a workflow to apply solid nitrogen fertilizers in variable, efficient, and site-specific doses.

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Materials and Methods

The trial was conducted at the INTA Famaillá experimental field, Tucumán, using:

• NH 7630 tractor.

Pradera spreader (VERION®) equipped with:

- 4 Fertisystem metering units.

- V-com 7 console.

Three environments with contrasting doses of granular urea (46% N) were defined:

• 2 kg/row

• 3 kg/row

• 4 kg/row

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Prescription maps were generated from QGIS orthomosaics, processed with high-resolution images captured by Phantom-4 drone.

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Calibration and Measurements

To ensure precision and efficiency in the use of nitrogen fertilizers:

- 10 discharge efficiency measurements were performed on the metering units across 5 dates (May 10 and 13–16).

- Each prescription and date was evaluated independently.

The application error (EA%) was calculated as:

- 1 minus the ratio between applied and prescribed dose, expressed as a percentage.

Discharge calibrations were performed:

- Empty, using a digital scale.

- Three repetitions per metering unit.

- Before each environment and for each date.

- Data were analyzed under a completely randomized design using ANOVA in NAVURE.

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Main Results

- Stable environmental dates (May 10 and 15) achieved application errors below 4%, highlighting the importance of calibration.

- The intermediate dose (3 kg/row) was the most efficient.

- Extreme doses showed errors between 7.3% and 8.6%.

- Differences among the 4 metering units ranged from 5.7% to 8.7%, related to proximity to the electrohydraulic motor, suggesting height regulation adjustments.

A significant date effect was observed, indicating:

- Influence of environmental conditions on fertilizer weight.

- Possible variations due to fertilizer batches.

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Comparison with Conventional Systems

Precision fertilization in sugarcane demonstrated clear advantages:

• Conventional spreaders show errors between 12% and 35%.

• The Pradera (VERION®) spreader achieved much higher precision and operational efficiency.

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• The technology also allowed:

- Real-time tracking of tractor position.

- Monitoring of applied doses.

- Complete traceability of operations.

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Conclusions

- A replicable protocol for precision fertilization in sugarcane was validated.

- The Pradera (VERION®) spreader proved to be an efficient and versatile machine, capable of:

- Applying fertilizers according to specific demand.

- Providing valuable records for decision-making.

- Enhancing crop sustainability aligned with environmental footprint markets.

The experimentation validated a replicable work protocol, allowing producers to incorporate precision technology with economic, operational, and environmental benefits. The Pradera fertilizer spreader (VERION®), under appropriate standards, performed as an efficient and versatile machine, capable of applying fertilizers according to specific demands, generating useful records for decision-making, and contributing to crop sustainability aligned with new environmental footprint markets.

- The information obtained is especially useful for producers, as well as for machinery and fertilizer manufacturers, as it allows for the establishment of practical recommendations for the proper use of these technologies.

Key Benefits:

• Improved operational efficiency.

• Reduced application errors.

• Greater traceability and control.

• Enhanced sustainability and competitiveness in international markets.

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Keywords

Precision fertilization in sugarcane – efficiency in the use of nitrogen fertilizers – precision – calibration – operational efficiency – traceability