What makes Atfarm's biomass maps special? – Atfarm

Our Yara N-Sensor Index is what makes Atfarm special. It was developed based on our expertise in precision fertilization and over 25 years of field trials with our Yara N-Sensor. The Yara N-Sensor is a tractor-mounted remote sensing device, that determines the nitrogen demand by measuring the light reflectance of the crops. We introduced our first Yara N-Sensor in the 1990's for use on cereals and have carried out more than 250 trials to refine its performance and to add new programs.

Using this crop and region specific calibrations from the Yara N-Sensor Index, Atfarm generates optimized biomass maps to show the variability in crop development even in advanced growth stages. This is particularly relevant for late nitrogen applications.

Almost all other tools offered use the non-crop-specific Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which is based on red and near-infrared radiation. It determines a relative value between 0 and 1, which only indicates whether or how much green biomass is existent. From shoot development (canopy saturated, highest biomass), this index saturates very quickly and a differentiation is no longer recognizable. Therefore, it can only detect differences in early growth stages and should only be used for planning the 1st application.

So far, only our Yara N-Sensor Index can make biomass differences visible during and after shooting. Our index measures not only red and near-infrared radiation, but also the spectral ranges in between. With this fine gradation and the inclusion of crop and regional data, we can determine the N-uptake even for advanced growth stages.

Our Yara N-Sensor Index is insensitive to different growth stages and canopy saturation. It does not tend to saturate as quickly as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Depending on the crop type, saturation of our index first starts at about BBCH 50 - 60.

You can use our optimized biomass maps to plan your 2nd, 3rd and protein dressings and to create Variable N-Rate Application (VRA) Maps.

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