Soil chemical sensor and precision agricultural chemical delivery system and method
Abstract
A real time soil chemical sensor and precision agricultural chemical delivery system includes a plurality of ground-engaging tools in association with individual soil sensors which measure soil chemical levels. The system includes the addition of a solvent which rapidly saturates the soil/tool interface to form a conductive solution of chemicals leached from the soil. A multivalent electrode, positioned within a multivalent frame of the ground-engaging tool, applies a voltage or impresses a current between the electrode and the tool frame. A real-time soil chemical sensor and controller senses the electrochemical reaction resulting from the application of the voltage or current to the leachate, measures it by resistivity methods, and compares it against pre-set resistivity levels for substances leached by the solvent. Still greater precision is obtained by calibrating for the secondary current impressed through solvent-less soil. The appropriate concentration is then found and the servo-controlled delivery system applies the appropriate amount of fertilizer or agricultural chemicals substantially in the location from which the soil measurement was taken. 5 figures.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Aguila Corp
- OSTI Identifier:
- 7082692
- Patent Number(s):
- 5033397
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-562210
- Assignee:
- Aguila Corporation, Houston, TX (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-84ID12518
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 31 Jul 1990
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; FERTILIZERS; MEASURING METHODS; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; DESIGN; SOIL CHEMISTRY; AGRICULTURE; PERFORMANCE; CHEMISTRY; 540220* - Environment, Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-); 553000 - Agriculture & Food Technology
Citation Formats
Colburn, Jr, J W. Soil chemical sensor and precision agricultural chemical delivery system and method. United States: N. p., 1991.
Web.
Colburn, Jr, J W. Soil chemical sensor and precision agricultural chemical delivery system and method. United States.
Colburn, Jr, J W. Tue .
"Soil chemical sensor and precision agricultural chemical delivery system and method". United States.
@article{osti_7082692,
title = {Soil chemical sensor and precision agricultural chemical delivery system and method},
author = {Colburn, Jr, J W},
abstractNote = {A real time soil chemical sensor and precision agricultural chemical delivery system includes a plurality of ground-engaging tools in association with individual soil sensors which measure soil chemical levels. The system includes the addition of a solvent which rapidly saturates the soil/tool interface to form a conductive solution of chemicals leached from the soil. A multivalent electrode, positioned within a multivalent frame of the ground-engaging tool, applies a voltage or impresses a current between the electrode and the tool frame. A real-time soil chemical sensor and controller senses the electrochemical reaction resulting from the application of the voltage or current to the leachate, measures it by resistivity methods, and compares it against pre-set resistivity levels for substances leached by the solvent. Still greater precision is obtained by calibrating for the secondary current impressed through solvent-less soil. The appropriate concentration is then found and the servo-controlled delivery system applies the appropriate amount of fertilizer or agricultural chemicals substantially in the location from which the soil measurement was taken. 5 figures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1991},
month = {7}
}