CN111432628B - Fertilization design method and fertilization design device - Google Patents

Abstract

The fertilization designing method includes a crop information acquisition step (S1), a measurement value acquisition step (S2), an index calculation step (S3), an optimum calibration curve estimation step (S5), and a fertilization amount determination step (S6). At S1, crop information relating to the variety and the cultivation area of the crop is acquired. At S2, measurement values by remote sensing are acquired for a plurality of areas included in the cultivation area of the cultivated crop. At S3, an index indicating the growth state of the crop is calculated for each area based on the measured values. In S5, an optimized calibration curve for the crop is estimated based on the reference calibration curve or the crop information and the index. At S6, the fertilizing amount for fertilizing the cultivation land is determined based on the index and the optimized calibration curve.

Description

Fertilization design method and fertilization design device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a fertilizer application design method and a fertilizer application design apparatus for determining an amount of fertilizer (fertilizer application amount) to be applied to a cultivation site for cultivating a crop.

Background

Various fertilization design methods have been proposed to determine the amount of fertilizer applied to a cultivation site. For example, in patent document 1, the fertilizing amount is determined as follows. First, a target nitrogen amount (target nitrogen amount) in the target cultivation area is acquired with reference to the database. Next, the amount of nitrogen contained in the cultivation site of the object is estimated by a predetermined experiment, and the estimated nitrogen amount is obtained. Then, the difference between the target nitrogen amount and the estimated nitrogen amount (nitrogen deficiency amount) is calculated. Since the amount of nitrogen per unit amount contained in the fertilizer applied to the target cultivation site is known, the total amount of the fertilizer (appropriate fertilizing amount) that can compensate for the above-described nitrogen deficiency is obtained by calculation. That is, by performing this calculation, an appropriate fertilizing amount to the target cultivation site is determined.

For example, in patent document 2, a map including a nursery is displayed, designation of the nursery and input of fertilization design conditions (a combination pattern of fertilizers, a reference amount, and the like) are accepted on the displayed map, and then a plurality of fertilization patterns for the nursery are designed with reference to a database, and the plurality of designed fertilization patterns are displayed on the same screen as the nursery. By such display, the user can determine the appropriate type and amount of fertilizer to be applied while comparing a plurality of fertilizer application patterns on the same screen. Further, a nursery generally refers to a paddy field or a dry field surrounded by a ridge.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1 Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2015-027296 (see claim 1, paragraphs [ 0043 ] to [ 0087 ], FIG. 1, etc.)

Patent document 2 Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-215697 (see claim 1, paragraphs [ 0007 ], [ 0019 ] - [ 0030 ], FIGS. 11 to 15, etc.)

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, the methods of patent documents 1 and 2 are both methods for determining the amount of fertilizer to be applied regardless of the actual growth state of the crop, and therefore appropriate fertilizer application (variable fertilizer application) according to the actual growth state of the crop cannot be performed. Since the growth state of crops varies depending on environmental conditions such as air temperature, precipitation amount, and sunshine amount, and the state of soil, variable fertilization is required to grow high-quality crops and increase the yield of the crops.

Here, the following methods are conventionally known for variable fertilization. For example, fig. 18 is a graph showing cultivation guidelines for a certain variety of rice published by a certain county in japan. The horizontal axis of the graph represents an area per unit (here, 1 m)²) The number of stems of rice (2) and the vertical axis represent the SPAD value. Here, the SPAD value is a value obtained by measuring the amount of chlorophyll (chlorophyl) contained in leaves of crops (plants) with a measuring instrument (chlorophyll meter). In addition, the spelling of SPAD isSoil&Plant Analyzer Development (Utility of soil/crop/product analysis System, a large-scale operator of agricultural and silkworm-gardening office, agricultural and forestry, aquatic products).

As shown in the figure, the above-mentioned cultivation guideline shows that the fertilizing amount is increased or decreased according to the SPAD value. The amount of chlorophyll changes in accordance with the growth state of the crop, and therefore it is conceivable that: by measuring the chlorophyll amount and obtaining the SPAD value and increasing or decreasing the fertilizing amount according to the SPAD value, it is possible to perform appropriate fertilization according to the growth state of the crop. However, the variable fertilization method has the following problems.

First, when obtaining the SPAD value, it is necessary to irradiate light to 1 crop leaf by a measuring device and measure the SPAD value. This operation is performed for plants in the entire cultivation area (nursery), and much effort and labor are required. Therefore, it is desired to obtain an index indicating the growth state of a crop by a simple method and to design a fertilizer application by determining the amount of fertilizer application using the index.

The above-described cultivation guideline (fertilization design in which the amount of fertilizer applied is increased or decreased according to the SPAD value) is shown only for some of the varieties of crops, and is not shown for all of the varieties. Therefore, the remaining varieties cannot be subjected to variable fertilization appropriately according to the SPAD value.

Further, the above-mentioned breeding guideline is a rough guideline for increasing or decreasing the fertilizing amount when the SPAD value deviates from the appropriate range. Therefore, even if the SPAD value is detected with high accuracy, it is not possible to accurately obtain an appropriate fertilizing amount (increased or decreased fertilizing amount) corresponding to the SPAD value. As a result, variable fertilization with high precision cannot be performed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fertilizer application designing method and a fertilizer application designing apparatus capable of obtaining an index indicating a growth state of a crop by a simple method and performing variable fertilizer application according to the growth state of the crop with high accuracy with respect to all varieties of the crop using the index.

Means for solving the problems

The fertilization design method according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a crop information acquisition step of acquiring crop information relating to the variety and cultivation area of a crop; a measurement value acquisition step of acquiring measurement values by remote sensing with respect to a plurality of areas included in a cultivation area where the crop is cultivated; an index calculation step of calculating an index indicating the growth state of the crop for each region based on the measurement value; an optimized calibration curve estimation step of estimating an optimized calibration curve that optimally represents a relationship between the indicator and the fertilizing amount for the crop, based on a reference calibration curve that is a past calibration curve for the crop, or the crop information and the indicator; and a fertilizing amount determining step of determining the fertilizing amount for fertilizing the cultivation site based on the index and the optimized calibration curve.

A fertilization designing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes: an input unit for accepting an input of information by a user; an index calculation unit that calculates an index indicating a growth state of a crop for each of a plurality of areas included in a cultivation area where the crop is cultivated, based on remote sensing-based measurement values of the plurality of areas when crop information relating to a variety and the cultivation area of the crop is input through the input unit; an optimized calibration curve estimating unit that estimates an optimized calibration curve that optimally represents a relationship between the indicator and the fertilizing amount for the crop, based on a reference calibration curve that is a past calibration curve for the crop, or the crop information and the indicator; and a fertilizing amount determining part which determines the fertilizing amount for fertilizing the cultivation land based on the index and the optimized calibration curve.

Effects of the invention

According to the fertilizer application designing method and the fertilizer application designing apparatus described above, it is possible to obtain the index indicating the growth state of the crop by a simple method, and perform variable fertilizer application according to the growth state of all varieties of the crop with high accuracy using the index.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a fertilization design system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a server included in the fertilization design system.

Fig. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing a calibration curve relating to a certain variety of a crop.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of a fertilization design apparatus included in the fertilization design system.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the fertilization designing system.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the optimization calibration curve estimation process.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the reference calibration curve and the optimized calibration curve.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the reference calibration curve and the optimized calibration curve.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of optimizing the calibration curve.

Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of the optimized calibration curve.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the index map.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an example of the fertilization amount map.

Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the 1 st histogram.

Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the 2 nd histogram.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing an example of the average value of the amount of fertilizer applied to each cultivation area.

Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display unit.

Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the optimized calibration curve displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 18 is a graph showing a cultivation guideline for a certain variety of rice.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the drawings.

[ composition of fertilization design System ]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a fertilization designing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The fertilization designing system 1 is configured by communicably connecting the imaging unit 10, the server 20, and the fertilization designing apparatus 30 via a communication line NW. The communication line NW is constituted by a Network (wired or wireless) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or an internet line.

(image pickup part)

The imaging unit 10 is composed of, for example, a multispectral camera, and captures an image of the cultivated land FD of the cultivated crop PL from above. In this manner, obtaining information (image) of the crop PL (cultivation site FD) at a position distant from the crop PL (cultivation site FD) is referred to as remote sensing. To realize such remote sensing, the imaging unit 10 is attached to the flying object 11. The flying body 11 is formed of, for example, an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) capable of autonomous flight. By flying the flying object 11 along the cultivation site FD, the plurality of regions T (cultivation regions) constituting the cultivation site FD can be photographed from above by the imaging unit 10, and images of the respective regions T and the whole cultivation site FD can be acquired. The flying body 11 may be configured by a balloon, an airship, an airplane, a helicopter, or the like, in addition to the unmanned aerial vehicle. The imaging unit 10 may be attached to the flying object 11, or may be configured to capture an image of the cultivation site FD and acquire the image in a state of being fixed to a tower or a crane, for example, completely or rotatably.

The imaging unit 10 includes: a visible image pickup unit that picks up an image of a subject (here, crop PL or cultivation site FD) to obtain a visible image, and a near-infrared image pickup unit that picks up an image of a subject to obtain a near-infrared image.

The visible image pickup unit includes a1 st band-pass filter, a1 st imaging optical system, a1 st image sensor (optical sensor) and a1 st digital signal processor, a1 st communication unit, and the like. The 1 st band-pass filter transmits light in a relatively narrow band having a center wavelength of 650nm, for example. The 1 st imaging optical system images an optical image of visible light of the measurement object (crop PL or cultivation site FD) transmitted through the 1 st band-pass filter on a predetermined 1 st imaging plane. The 1 st image sensor has a light receiving surface and a1 st image forming surface arranged in a manner to coincide with each other, detects light in a relatively narrow frequency band having a wavelength of 650nm as a center wavelength included in sunlight reflected by a measurement object, and converts an optical image of visible light of the measurement object into an electric signal. The 1 st digital signal processor performs image processing on the output of the 1 st image sensor to form a visible image. The 1 st communication unit is a communication interface for transmitting data of a visible image to the outside (for example, the server 20), and is configured to include a transmission circuit, an antenna, and the like, and is connected to the communication line NW so as to be able to communicate with the communication line NW.

The near-infrared imaging unit includes a2 nd band-pass filter, a2 nd imaging optical system, a2 nd image sensor (optical sensor), a2 nd digital signal processor, a2 nd communication unit, and the like. The 2 nd bandpass filter transmits light in a relatively narrow band having a predetermined wavelength of 750nm or more (for example, wavelength of 800nm) as a center wavelength. The 2 nd imaging optical system images the optical image of the near infrared light of the measurement object having passed through the 2 nd band-pass filter on a predetermined 2 nd imaging surface. The 2 nd image sensor has a light receiving surface arranged to coincide with the 2 nd image forming surface, detects light in a relatively narrow frequency band having a wavelength of 800nm as a center wavelength included in sunlight reflected by a measurement object, and converts an optical image of near infrared light of the measurement object into an electric signal. The 2 nd digital signal processor performs image processing on the output of the 2 nd image sensor to form a near-infrared image. The 2 nd communication unit is an interface for transmitting data of a near-infrared image to the outside (for example, the server 20), and is configured to include a transmission circuit, an antenna, and the like, and is connected to the communication line NW so as to be able to communicate with the communication line NW.

As the 1 st image sensor and the 2 nd image sensor of the imaging unit 10, for example, VGA type (640 pixels × 480 pixels) image sensors can be used.

(Server)

The server 20 is a terminal device that stores various data. Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the server 20. The server 20 includes a1 st database 21, a2 nd database 22, a3 rd database 23, a communication unit 24, and a control unit 25.

The 1 st database 21 stores measurement values by remote sensing by the imaging unit 10. That is, the 1 st database 21 stores, as the measurement values, data of the captured images (visible images, near-infrared images) of the plurality of areas T included in the cultivation site FD, which are acquired by the imaging unit 10 and transmitted to the server 20. The 1 st database 21 may store measurement values obtained by other than the imaging unit 10 as measurement values by remote sensing. For example, the 1 st database 21 may store data of images (visible images and near-infrared images) acquired by satellite photography and transmitted to the server 20. In this case, the fertilization designing system 1 can be configured without providing the imaging unit 10.

The 2 nd database 22 stores data of calibration curves obtained in the past for each variety and cultivation region of the crop PL. For example, if the crop PL is rice (rice), the 2 nd database 22 stores data of calibration curves acquired in the past (for example, 1 year ago, 2 years ago, 3 years ago … …) for each variety of rice (for example, variety a, B, … …) and each cultivation region of each variety (for example, each region, each county, each city, each town, or each village). Here, fig. 3 schematically shows a calibration curve for a certain variety a of a crop PL. The calibration curve refers to: a line showing the relationship between the index and the amount of fertilizer applied when the index showing the growth state of the crop PL is taken as a coordinate plane on the horizontal axis and the amount of fertilizer applied to the cultivated field FD of the cultivated crop PL is taken as the vertical axis.

In addition, the 2 nd database 22 also stores data on past harvest yields of the crop PL in the above-mentioned cultivation site D. The data of the yield is stored in the 2 nd database 22 by being inputted to the fertilization designing apparatus 30 and transmitted to the server 20, for example, but may be transmitted from another terminal and stored in the 2 nd database 22.

The 3 rd database 23 stores cultivation information related to cultivation conditions of the crop PL. As the above-mentioned cultivation conditions, for example, the integrated air temperature, the average precipitation amount, or the average solar radiation amount during the cultivation period in the cultivation area of the crop PL can be considered. The integrated air temperature means: the temperature lower than the minimum temperature effective for the growth of the crop PL in any cultivation period is excluded as ineffective, and only the temperatures equal to or higher than the minimum temperature are extracted and accumulated.

The 1 st database 21, the 2 nd database 22, and the 3 rd database 23 are configured by a storage medium such as a hard disk or a nonvolatile memory, for example. In the present embodiment, all of the 1 st database 21, the 2 nd database 22, and the 3 rd database 23 are provided in the same server 20, but at least 1 of them may be provided in a server different from the server 20.

The communication unit 24 is an interface for communicating with the imaging unit 10 and the fertilizer application designing apparatus 30. The communication unit 24 includes a transmission circuit, a reception circuit, a modulation circuit, a demodulation circuit, an antenna, and the like, and is connected to the communication line NW so as to be able to communicate with the communication line NW. The control Unit 25 is constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls operations of the respective units of the server 20, and operates in accordance with an operation program stored in a memory (not shown).

(fertilization designing device)

Fig. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the fertilization designing apparatus 30. The fertilizer application designing device 30 is a device for determining an appropriate fertilizer application amount to the cultivation site FD and providing the determined fertilizer application amount to the user, and is constituted by a PC (personal computer), for example. In addition, the fertilization designing apparatus 30 may be constituted by a multifunctional portable terminal (for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal).

The fertilizer application designing apparatus 30 includes an input unit 31, a display unit 32, a storage unit 33, a communication unit 34, and a control unit 35.

The input unit 31 is provided for user operation and accepts user input of information. The input unit 31 is specifically constituted by an operation unit such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel. The display unit 32 is a display for displaying various information, and is constituted by a liquid crystal display device, for example.

The storage unit 33 is a memory for storing a program for operating the control unit 35 and various information (for example, information acquired from the server 20), and is configured by, for example, a hard disk. The communication unit 34 is an interface for communicating with the server 20, is configured to include a transmission circuit, a reception circuit, a modulation circuit, a demodulation circuit, an antenna, and the like, and is connected to the communication line NW so as to be able to communicate with the communication line NW.

The control unit 35 is constituted by a CPU and operates in accordance with an operation program stored in the storage unit 33. The control unit 35 includes an overall control unit 35a, an index calculation unit 35b, an optimization calibration curve estimation unit 35c, a fertilizing amount determination unit 35d, a map creation unit 35e, a1 st histogram creation unit 35f, a2 nd histogram creation unit 35g, and an order control unit 35h, and implements the respective functions thereof. Each of the above modules of the control unit 35 may be constituted by a separate CPU. The overall control unit 35a controls the operations of the respective units of the fertilization designing apparatus 30 (including display control in the display unit 32 and communication control in the communication unit 34). The functions of the modules of the control unit 35 other than the overall control unit 35a will be described together with the description of the processing described below.

[ treatment in fertilization design System ]

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the fertilization designing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The fertilization designing method implemented by the fertilization designing system 1 includes a crop information acquisition step (S1), a measurement value acquisition step (S2), an index calculation step (S3), a cultivation information acquisition step (S4), an optimization calibration curve estimation step (S5), a fertilization amount determination step (S6), a fertilization amount map creation step (S7), a1 st histogram creation step (S8), a2 nd histogram creation step (S9), a total fertilization amount calculation step (S10), a display step (S11), an optimization calibration curve adjustment step (S12), an adjustment determination step (S13), and an order control step (S14 to S16). The respective steps are explained below.

(S1; crop information acquisition step)

At S1, the user operates the input unit 31 to input crop information relating to the type (for example, type a) and the cultivation area (for example, AA city, AA prefecture) of the crop PL into the fertilizer application designing apparatus 30. By this input, the crop information is acquired. The acquired crop information is stored in the storage unit 33.

(S2; measurement value acquisition step)

At S2, the controller 35 (e.g., the overall controller 35a) requests the controller 25 of the server 20 to transmit the measurement values stored in the 1 st database 21 based on the crop information (the variety and the cultivation area of the crop PL) input at S1. That is, a command is transmitted to the server 20 so that the remote sensing measurement values of the plurality of areas T included in the cultivation site FD where the crop PL is cultivated, which are stored in the 1 st database 21, are transmitted to the fertilization designing apparatus 30. The control unit 25 of the server 20 receives the command and transmits the data of the measurement values stored in the 1 st database 21 to the fertilization designing apparatus 30. Thus, the fertilization design apparatus 30 obtains the measurement value. The obtained measurement value is stored in the storage unit 33. When a plurality of cultivation sites FD managed by the same owner (farmer) exist in the cultivation site, the measurement value for each cultivation site FD is transmitted to the fertilization designing apparatus 30 and stored in the storage unit 33.

(S3; index calculation step)

At S3, the index calculation unit 35b calculates an index indicating the growth state of the crop PL for each region T of the cultivation site FD based on the measurement values. In the present embodiment, the Index calculation unit 35b calculates NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Normalized Vegetation Index) as the Index. NDVI is an index indicating the distribution and activity of vegetation, and is calculated using a measurement value (pixel value) obtained by remote sensing by the imaging unit 10. That is, if the pixel value of the visible image acquired by the imaging unit 10 is R and the pixel value of the near-infrared image is IR, NDVI is [ (IR-R)/(IR + R) ]. NDVI means normalized to a number between-1 and 1, with more positive and larger numbers indicating more dense vegetation. When the measured values are obtained for the plurality of cultivated spots FD in S2, the index calculation unit 35b calculates the above-described index for each area T for each cultivated spot FD.

The index calculation unit 35b may calculate the following value as the index instead of the NDVI. Examples of the Index other than NDVI include RVI (Ratio Vegetation Index; RVI ═ IR/R), DVI (Difference Vegetation Index; DVI ═ IR-R), TVI (Transformed Vegetation Index; TVI ═ NDVI Index)^0.5+0.5) or IPVI (extracted Percentage creation Index: infrared ratio vegetation indexAnd IPVI ═ IR/(IR + R) ═ (NDVI +1)/2), and the like.

The index calculation unit 35b may calculate the vegetation ratio as the index instead of NDVI. The vegetation rate indicates the proportion of the crop PL covering the ground surface of the cultivated land FD. For example, the index calculation unit 35b performs binarization processing on the near-infrared image acquired by the imaging unit 10 to form a white and black binarized image, and calculates the ratio of white portions in the binarized image, thereby calculating the vegetation percentage. In the binarized image, the white portion corresponds to the crop PL, and the black portion corresponds to the soil.

(S4; cultivation information acquisition step)

At S4, the controller 35 (e.g., the overall controller 35a) requests the controller 25 of the server 20 to transmit the cultivation information stored in the 3 rd database 23 based on the crop information (the variety and cultivation area of the crop PL) input at S1. That is, a command is sent to the server 20 so that it transmits, to the fertilizer application designing apparatus 30, the cultivation information about the cultivation conditions of the crop PL (for example, the current and past cumulative air temperatures in the cultivation area of the crop PL) stored in the 3 rd database 23. The control unit 25 of the server 20 receives the command and transmits the cultivation information stored in the 3 rd database 23 to the fertilization designing apparatus 30. In this way, the fertilizer application designing apparatus 30 acquires the cultivation information. The obtained cultivation information is stored in the storage unit 33. In S4, information on the average precipitation amount and the average solar radiation amount may be acquired as the cultivation information from the 3 rd database 23 instead of the integrated air temperature.

(S5; optimized calibration curve estimating step)

At S5, the optimized calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates an optimized calibration curve (an optimal calibration curve for cultivation of the crop PL) that optimally represents the relationship between the index (for example, NDVI) on the crop PL and the fertilizer application amount, based on the reference calibration curve that is a past calibration curve on the crop PL, or the crop information acquired at S1 and the index acquired at S3. In particular, in S5, the optimized calibration curve estimating unit 35c acquires data of the calibration curve from the 2 nd database 22 and estimates an optimized calibration curve when data of the past calibration curve relating to the crop PL is stored in the 2 nd database 22, and estimates an optimized calibration curve based on the crop information acquired in S1 and the index calculated in S3 when data of the calibration curve is not stored in the 2 nd database 22. The details of the step S5 will be described below.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the optimized calibration curve estimation process of S5. First, after establishing communication with the server 20 via the communication unit 34, the optimized calibration curve estimation unit 35c determines whether or not data of a past (for example, 1 year ago) calibration curve of the same variety (for example, variety a) and the same region of cultivation (for example, AA city) as the variety of the crop PL input by the input unit 31 is stored with reference to the 2 nd database 22 (S21). The past year of the data of the calibration curve to be referred to (the past years of the data of the calibration curve to be referred to) can be specified by the user operating the input unit 31, for example. When the data of the past calibration curve is stored in S21, the calibration curve (data) is received from the 2 nd database 22 and acquired as a reference calibration curve used as a reference for estimating the optimum calibration curve (S22).

If the data of the past calibration curve is not stored in the 2 nd database 22 at S21, it is determined whether or not data of the past calibration curve of the same cultivation area (for example, AA city) as the variety of the crop PL inputted by the input unit 31 (S23) is stored. If the data of the past calibration curve is stored in S23, the calibration curve (data) is received from the 2 nd database 22 and acquired as a reference calibration curve (S22).

If the data of the past calibration curve is not stored in the 2 nd database 22 in S23, it is next determined whether or not the data of the past calibration curve is stored for the cultivars (e.g., the same cultivar a or different cultivars B) cultivated in the region (e.g., AA bb city) adjacent to the region where the crop PL is cultivated inputted by the input unit 31 (S24). The peripheral region is preferably a region close to the cultivation region (AA city, AA prefecture) of the crop PL, and more preferably a region adjacent to the cultivation region. The peripheral region may be a region adjacent to the farmer who cultivates the crop PL. If the data of the past calibration curve is stored in S24, the calibration curve (data) is received from the 2 nd database 22 and acquired as a reference calibration curve (S22).

If the data of the past calibration curve is not stored in S24, it is determined whether or not the data of the past calibration curve is stored with respect to the item that is directly related to the item (for example, item a) of the crop PL input from the input unit 31 (S25). The term "orthogenic cultivar" refers to a cultivar of the same ancestry as cultivar a and having similar qualities, and includes, for example, cultivar a1 of the first generation (parent generation) of cultivar a, cultivar a1 'of the next generation (offspring), cultivars a2 of the first two generations, and cultivars a 2' of the next two generations in the pedigree. In S24, when the data of the past calibration curve is stored in S25, the calibration curve (data) is received from the 2 nd database 22 and acquired as a reference calibration curve (S22).

If the reference calibration curve is acquired in S22, the optimized calibration curve estimation unit 35c then refers again to the 2 nd database 22 and determines whether or not the past harvest yield data is stored for the crop corresponding to the reference calibration curve (the same cultivar, the same cultivar of the same region of cultivation, the cultivars of neighboring regions of cultivation, or the orthodox cultivars) (S26).

When the past data of the harvest amount is stored in the 2 nd database 22 in S26, the optimized calibration curve estimating unit 35c receives and acquires the data of the harvest amount from the 2 nd database 22 (S27), and estimates the optimized calibration curve of the current year based on the reference calibration curve acquired in S22 and the harvest amount acquired in S27 (S28).

Fig. 7 and 8 show examples of a reference calibration curve in the past (for example, 1 year ago) and an optimized calibration curve in the present year estimated from the reference calibration curve, respectively. For example, in the case where the harvest amount 1 year ago is more than 2 years ago of the previous year, it is conceivable that a certain degree of harvest amount is expected even if the upper limit of the fertilizing amount is lowered. On the contrary, in the case where the yield 1 year ago is less than 2 years ago, it is conceivable that a certain degree of yield cannot be obtained without increasing the lower limit of the fertilizing amount.

Then, when the harvest yield is more than the previous year before 1 year, the optimum calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates the optimum calibration curve for the present year by lowering the upper limit of the fertilizing amount in the reference calibration curve (calibration curve before 1 year) in accordance with the ratio of the harvest yield to the previous year, as shown in fig. 7. Specifically, when the yield 1 year ago is increased by a% from the yield 2 year ago, the optimum calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates the optimum calibration curve by decreasing the upper limit of the fertilizing amount in the reference calibration curve by a%. On the other hand, when the harvest yield is less than the previous year before 1 year, the optimum calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates the optimum calibration curve for the present year by increasing the lower limit of the fertilizing amount in the reference calibration curve according to the ratio of the harvest yield to the previous year, as shown in fig. 8. Specifically, when the yield 1 year ago is decreased by b% from the yield 2 year ago, the optimum calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates the optimum calibration curve by increasing the lower limit of the fertilizing amount in the reference calibration curve by b%.

On the other hand, in the case where the data of the past harvest yield is not stored in the 2 nd database 22 in S26 of fig. 6, the optimal calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates the optimal calibration curve of the current year by changing the reference calibration curve according to the cultivation conditions acquired in S4 (S29). For example, in the case where the cumulative air temperature in this year is higher than 1 year ago, it is conceivable that the growth of the crop PL is faster than that in the same period of 1 year ago, and in this case, it is conceivable that the upper limit of the fertilizing amount can be lowered than that in 1 year ago. On the contrary, in the case where the cumulative air temperature in this year is lower than 1 year ago, it is thought that the growth of the crop PL is slower than that in the same period of 1 year ago, and the lower limit of the amount of fertilizer application needs to be increased than that in 1 year ago.

Then, the optimum calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates the optimum calibration curve of this year by lowering the upper limit or the lower limit of the fertilizing amount in the reference calibration curve according to the rate of change of the cumulative air temperature. Specifically, when the cumulative temperature in the present year is increased by c% compared to 1 year ago, the optimum calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates the optimum calibration curve by decreasing the upper limit of the fertilizing amount in the reference calibration curve by c% as in fig. 7. Conversely, when the cumulative temperature in the present year is decreased by d% compared to 1 year ago, the optimum calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates the optimum calibration curve by increasing the lower limit of the fertilizing amount in the reference calibration curve by d%.

In addition, in the case where data of the past calibration curve is not stored in the 2 nd database 22 with respect to the cultivar that is directly related to the cultivar PL in S25, the optimal calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates an optimal calibration curve based on the information of the crop obtained in S1 and the distribution of the index of each region T in the cultivation site FL calculated in S3 (S30).

For example, on the coordinate plane shown in fig. 9, the optimization calibration curve estimating section 35c determines the slopes of horizontal portions H1 and H2 indicating the upper and lower limits of the fertilizing amount and an inclined portion S (a portion connecting the ends of the horizontal portions H1 and H2) that changes the fertilizing amount in accordance with the value of NDVI, in accordance with the crop PL. At this time, the horizontal position of the inclined part S is determined so that the center value of NDVI becomes the standard fertilizing amount (for example, 2kg per unit area in the case where the crop PL is rice). Then, the upper limit (horizontal part H1) and the lower limit (horizontal part H2) of the fertilizing amount were adjusted in accordance with the distribution of NDVI in the cultivation site FD. For example, when the average value of NDVI is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is conceivable that the growth of the crop PL is relatively good and the upper limit of the amount of fertilizer application can be lowered, so that the upper limit of the amount of fertilizer application is lowered by the difference between the average value of NDVI and the threshold value (the horizontal portion H1 is shifted downward). Conversely, when the average value of NDVI is less than the threshold value, it is thought that the growth of the crop PL is slow, and the lower limit of the amount of fertilizer applied needs to be increased, so as shown in fig. 10, the lower limit of the amount of fertilizer applied is increased by the difference between the average value of NDVI and the threshold value (the horizontal portion H2 is offset upward). In this manner, the optimized calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates the optimized calibration curve of this year. The optimized calibration curve estimating unit 35c may estimate the optimized calibration curve by adjusting the upper limit or the lower limit of the fertilizing amount according to the degree of deviation (standard deviation) of the NDVI, instead of the average value of the NDVI.

(S6; fertilizing amount determining process)

In S6, the fertilizing amount determining unit 35d determines the fertilizing amount for FD fertilizing the cultivated area based on the indicator (NDVI) calculated in S3, the optimized calibration curve estimated in S5, or the optimized calibration curve adjusted in S14 described later. In S3 described above, since the NDVI value is obtained for each region T included in the cultivated field FD, the fertilizing amount corresponding to the NDVI value can be known from the optimized calibration curve (see fig. 7 to 10) for each region T. Therefore, the fertilizing amount determining unit 35d can determine the fertilizing amount for FD of 1 cultivated land by combining the fertilizing amounts corresponding to the values of NDVI in the respective regions T. In S3, when the index is calculated for a plurality of cultivation sites FD, the same calculation as described above is performed for each cultivation site FD, whereby the fertilizing amount for each cultivation site FD can be determined.

(S7, fertilizer quantity map making process)

At S7, the map making unit 35e makes a fertilization rate map indicating the distribution of the fertilization rate determined at S6 on the cultivated field FD. For example, fig. 11 shows: in the cultivated field FD, the value of the index (NDVI) of each region T calculated in S3 is simply classified into an index map as the distribution of NDVI at 3 stages (small, medium, and large). On the index map, FD 'represents a portion corresponding to the cultivated field FD, and T' represents a portion corresponding to each area T of the cultivated field FD (the same applies to the next fertilization amount map). In the cultivated field FD, the amount of fertilizer application required may be small because the crop PL grows well in the region with a high NDVI value, whereas the amount of fertilizer application required is large in the region with a low NDVI value. Therefore, as shown in fig. 12, a map corresponding to the index map shown in fig. 11 is obtained as the fertilization amount map. Namely, a fertilizing amount map in which the fertilizing amount is reversed from the value of NDVI can be obtained. In the case of a plurality of cultivation sites FD, a fertilization amount map is created for each cultivation site FD.

(S8; 1 st histogram preparation step)

At S8, the 1 st histogram creation unit 35g calculates the average value of the indices in the cultivated field FD for each cultivated field FD, and creates a1 st histogram showing the relationship between the average value of the indices and the number of cultivated fields FD. Fig. 13 schematically shows an example of the 1 st histogram. Referring to the 1 st histogram, the number of nurseries having an average value of NDVI lower than the central value of the horizontal axis is relatively small, and the number of nurseries having an average value of NDVI higher than the central value of the horizontal axis is relatively large, so that it can be said that the growing environment (e.g., climate, soil, etc.) of these nurseries is good, and the harvest amount of the crop PL cultivated in these nurseries is expected to be large in total (total number of nurseries).

(S9; 2 nd histogram preparation step)

In S9, the 2 nd histogram creating unit 35h calculates the average of the fertilizing amount in each area T determined in the fertilizing amount determining step of S6 for each cultivated land FD, and creates a2 nd histogram showing the relationship between the average of the fertilizing amount and the number of cultivated lands. Fig. 14 schematically shows an example of the 2 nd histogram. Fig. 15 shows an example of the average value of the fertilizing amount of each cultivated land FD (for convenience, the cultivated lands FD are distinguished from each other by nurseries 1, 2, 3, and … …). Referring to the 2 nd histogram, the number of nurseries having the average value of the amount of fertilization lower than the central value on the horizontal axis is relatively large, and the number of nurseries having the average value of the amount of fertilization higher than the central value on the horizontal axis is relatively small, so that it is expected that crop PL can be harvested with a small amount of fertilization in total (totaling all nurseries) in these nurseries.

(S10; calculating total fertilizing amount)

At S10, the fertilizing amount determining unit 35d calculates the total fertilizing amount for all the cultivated lands FD, that is, the combined value of the fertilizing amounts for the respective cultivated lands FD, based on the fertilizing amounts for the respective cultivated lands FD determined at the fertilizing amount determining step of S6 (when the cultivated lands FD are 1, the fertilizing amount determined at S6 becomes the total fertilizing amount). FIG. 15 shows the case where the total amount of applied FD on all the cultivated lands was 75 kg.

(S11; display step)

At S11, the display unit 32 displays various information under the control of the overall control unit 35 a. Fig. 16 schematically shows an example of the display screen 32a of the display unit 32. As shown in the drawing, the information displayed on the display unit 32 includes, for example, the crop information (variety and cultivation area) input in S1, the information specifying the calibration curve by the input unit 31 (referring to the calibration curve of past years), the optimized calibration curve estimated in S5, the fertilization rate map created in S7, the 1 st histogram created in S8, the 2 nd histogram created in S9, the average value of the fertilization rates for FD of respective cultivation areas, and the total fertilization rate calculated in S10, and further includes a frame for specifying an administration policy by the user (a frame for specifying an admission/defense), an approval button for requesting approval by the user, and an order button for accepting an order by the user. In addition, the price of the fertilizer (the unit price of the fertilizer × the total amount of fertilizer applied) corresponding to the total amount of fertilizer applied may be displayed on the display screen 32 a.

In fig. 16, when there are a plurality of cultivated lands FD, first, a map of the entire plurality of cultivated lands FD is displayed, and then, when a predetermined cultivated land FD is designated through the input unit 31 (for example, when the predetermined cultivated land FD is clicked by a mouse), a fertilizing amount map corresponding to the designated optimized calibration curve of the cultivated land FD is displayed in an enlarged manner. When the optimized calibration curve adjustment process described below is performed, the information obtained at S6 to S10 is displayed on the display unit 32 with respect to the adjusted optimized calibration curve.

(S12; procedure for adjusting optimum calibration curve)

At S11, by displaying various information on the display screen 32a of the display unit 32, the user can observe the displayed information and confirm that the calibration curve and the amount of fertilizer to be ordered are optimized. In addition, when the user desires to correct the optimum calibration curve, the user can correct the optimum calibration curve by operating the input unit 31. In S12, the optimum calibration curve estimating unit 35c adjusts the optimum calibration curve as needed based on the instruction input by the user. In addition, in the case where no instruction input by the user is made to optimize the calibration curve, the process of S12 is skipped.

For example, fig. 17 shows an optimized calibration curve displayed on the display screen 32a of the display unit 32. The user positions the pointer of the mouse as the input unit 31 on the display screen 32a at the control point P which is the connection point between the horizontal portion H1 and the inclined portion S in the optimum calibration curve or the control point Q which is the connection point between the horizontal portion H2 and the inclined portion S, and clicks the mouse at that position to move the pointer up and down and left and right. The optimal calibration curve estimating unit 35c can adjust the optimal calibration curve to a desired shape by moving the control point P or the control point Q up and down and left and right in accordance with the movement of the mouse (pointer).

Further, the user can specify the business policy (attack/defense) through the input unit 31 as necessary on the display screen 32a shown in fig. 16, and can realize an optimized calibration curve according to the business policy. Here, the above-mentioned "approach" refers to a guideline in which a large amount of yield can be expected but a risk (loss) is large if a failure occurs, and for example, adjustment of an optimal calibration curve in which the width between the upper limit and the lower limit of the fertilizing amount is widened corresponds to the guideline of the "approach". Conversely, "defense" refers to a policy that yields are stable and there is less risk, for example, an adjustment of an optimized calibration curve that narrows the width between the upper and lower limits of the amount of fertilization corresponds to the policy of "defense". That is, if the policy (approach/defense) is specified through the input unit 31, the optimal calibration curve estimating unit 35c adjusts the optimal calibration curve by increasing the width of the upper limit and the lower limit of the fertilizing amount in the estimated optimal calibration curve (in the case of the approach) or decreasing the width by a predetermined amount (in the case of the defense).

As described above, in the present embodiment, since various instructions and inputs can be made to the information displayed on the display screen 32a by the operation of the input unit 31, it can be said that the display information of the display screen 32a and the input unit 31 constitute a GUI (graphical user interface).

(S13; adjustment judgment step)

In S13, the overall controller 35a determines whether or not there is adjustment of the optimum calibration curve in S12, and controls each part of the fertilizer designing apparatus 10 based on the determination result. More specifically, when determining that the adjustment of the optimized calibration curve is performed in S12 (when yes in S13), the overall controller 35a controls each unit of the controller 35 and the display unit 32 so that the processing after S6 is executed again based on the adjusted optimized calibration curve. Therefore, in this case, the determination of the fertilizing amount of the cultivated field FD (S6), the preparation of the fertilizing amount map (S7), the preparation of the 1 st histogram (S8), the preparation of the 2 nd histogram (S9), the calculation of the total fertilizing amount (S10), and the display of various information (S11) are performed again based on the adjusted optimized calibration curve. On the other hand, when determining that the adjustment of the optimized calibration curve is not performed in S12 (no in S13), the overall controller 35a transitions to the order control process described below.

(S14-S16; order control process)

The ordering control part 35h controls the ordering of the fertilizer based on the instruction input from the input part 31. More specifically, the order control unit 35h first determines whether or not the user has accepted the approval by the user by inputting an instruction (for example, clicking a mouse) to an approval button displayed on the display unit 32 (S14). When the approval of the user is accepted, the order control unit 35h then determines whether or not the order of the user is accepted by an instruction input (for example, a click of a mouse) to the order button by the user (S15). When the order of the user is accepted, the order control unit 35h orders the fertilizer corresponding to the total fertilizer application amount displayed in S12 for the company (fertilizer manufacturer, agent store, sales store, or the like) of the order destination (S16; order process). Then, the series of processes ends.

Further, after the user inputs an instruction to the approval button or the order button, confirmation display for confirming approval or order again may be performed. For example, "true approval? And a confirmation statement, and displays a selection frame of yes and no for the user to selectively input one of the check words and prompt the user to confirm again.

On the other hand, when the approval of the user is not accepted in S14 (for example, when the approval is not accepted and the display screen 32a is closed), or when the order of the user is not accepted in S15 (for example, when the order is not accepted and the display screen 32a is closed), the series of processes is finished without ordering the fertilizer. In addition, in a state where the user does not input an instruction to the approval button, if the user inputs an instruction to the order button, the user is not accepted for approval, and therefore, the fertilizer is not ordered. Therefore, the order process of S16 is executed only when the user 'S approval is accepted by the user' S instruction input to the approval button and the user 'S order is accepted by the user' S instruction input to the order button.

[ Effect ]

As described above, in the present embodiment, the index calculation unit 35b calculates the index indicating the growth state of the crop PL for each area T of the cultivation site FD based on the measurement value by remote sensing acquired in S2 (S3). For example, when the index is NDVI, NDVI can be obtained by a simple operation using the above-described measurement values (pixel values IR and R) as described above. Therefore, the index can be obtained by a simple method without performing measurement by a measuring instrument (for example, measurement by a chlorophyll meter) for examining the growth state of each 1 plant PL as in the conventional art.

The optimized calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates an optimized calibration curve obtained by optimizing the relationship between the index on the plant PL and the fertilizing amount, based on the past calibration curve (reference calibration curve) or the plant information obtained in S1 and the index obtained in S3 (S5). Then, the fertilizing amount determining unit 35d determines the fertilizing amount for fertilizing the FD in the cultivation site based on the index and the optimized calibration curve (S6). Thus, it is apparent that the (optimized) fertilizing amount required for the growth of the crop PL can be obtained not only in the case where there is a reference calibration curve for the crop PL, but also in the case where there is no reference calibration curve. That is, even if there is a variety having no reference calibration curve depending on the plant PL, the calibration curve is estimated and optimized based on the plant information and the index, and the fertilizing amount is determined for such a variety. In addition, since the fertilizing amount is determined based on the index and the optimization calibration curve, the determined fertilizing amount sufficiently reflects the current growth state of the crop PL indicated by the index. Therefore, fertilization (variable fertilization) can be performed for all varieties of the crop PL in accordance with the growth state of the crop PL using a fertilizer of a determined fertilization amount.

Further, since the optimized calibration curve is a calibration curve obtained by optimizing the relationship between the index and the fertilizing amount, it is possible to realize highly accurate (sufficiently reduce the amount of excess fertilizer) variable fertilizing by determining the fertilizing amount using the optimized calibration curve.

In S5, when the data on the reference calibration curve of the crop PL is stored in the 2 nd database 22 of the server 20, the optimized calibration curve estimating unit 35c acquires the data from the 2 nd database 22 and estimates the optimized calibration curve. Accordingly, the fertilization designing apparatus 30 does not have to have a large-capacity memory for storing the data of the reference calibration curve, and the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified. On the other hand, in the case where the data is not stored in the 2 nd database 22, the optimized calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates the optimized calibration curve from the crop information acquired in S1 and the index calculated in S3, and thus can estimate the optimized calibration curve even for a variety for which there is no reference calibration curve in the past as described above.

In S4, cultivation information relating to the cultivation conditions of the crop PL is acquired from the 3 rd database 23 of the server 20. Then, the optimum calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates an optimum calibration curve by changing the reference calibration curve based on the cultivation conditions (S29). In this case, the fertilizing amount (fertilizing design) can be determined by taking into account the actual cultivation conditions of the crop PL using the optimized calibration curve, and variable fertilizing can be performed with high accuracy based on the fertilizing design.

In this case, the above-mentioned cultivation conditions include any one of the integrated air temperature, the average precipitation amount, and the average solar radiation amount during the cultivation period in the cultivation area of the crop PL. Since the integrated air temperature, the average precipitation amount, and the average solar radiation amount are indispensable requirements for the cultivation of the crop PL, the fertilizer application design can be reliably performed in consideration of the cultivation conditions of the crop PL.

The optimized calibration curve estimating unit 35c acquires data on the reference calibration curve of the crop PL and data on the past harvest yield of the crop PL from the 2 nd database 22, and estimates an optimized calibration curve based on the reference calibration curve and the harvest yield (S22, S26 to S28). Since the optimal calibration curve is estimated in consideration of not only the reference calibration curve for the crop PL but also the previous yield, a fertilization design can be performed in consideration of the previous actual results, and the reliability of such a fertilization design can be improved.

Here, the reference calibration curve may be a calibration curve obtained in the past for the same variety as the crop PL (S21, S22). The reference calibration curve may be a calibration curve obtained in the past for the same cultivation region as the crop PL (S21, S23, S22). Further, the reference calibration curve may be a calibration curve obtained in the past with respect to a variety cultivated in a region surrounding the region of cultivation of the crop PL (S24, S22). Further, the reference calibration curve may be a calibration curve obtained in the past for a variety that is directly related to the plant PL (S25, S22). Since these calibration curves have high correlation (are identical or close to each other) with the cultivar or cultivation region of the crop PL included in the input crop information, it is possible to appropriately estimate an optimum calibration curve for the crop PL from the reference calibration curve and determine the fertilizing amount, regardless of which calibration curve is used as the reference calibration curve.

Further, the optimized calibration curve estimating unit 35c estimates an optimized calibration curve based on the distribution of the index in the crop information and the cultivation site FD (S30). Thus, even when the reference calibration curve is not stored in the 2 nd database 22, the fertilizing amount can be determined based on the estimated optimized calibration curve and variable fertilizing can be performed.

Further, the display unit 32 displays the estimated optimal calibration curve based on the control of the overall control unit 35a (S11). Thereby, the estimated optimized calibration curve can be recommended to the user. The user can also observe the displayed optimized calibration curve, and customize (fine-tune) the optimized calibration curve by operating the input unit 31 as necessary as in S12 (see fig. 17).

The optimum calibration curve estimating unit 35c adjusts the optimum calibration curve based on the instruction input from the user (S12, S13), and the fertilizing amount determining unit 35d determines the fertilizing amount based on the index and the adjusted optimum calibration curve (S6). Thus, even if the optimum calibration curve is adjusted according to the user's intention, the fertilizing amount can be determined based on the adjusted optimum calibration curve, and variable fertilization can be performed.

Further, the map making unit 35e makes a fertilizing amount map indicating the distribution of the fertilizing amount determined by the fertilizing amount determining unit 35d in the cultivated field FD (S7), and the display unit 32 further displays the fertilizing amount map (S11). In this case, the user can confirm the displayed fertilizing amount map, operate the input unit 31 based on the fertilizing amount map, and finely adjust the optimum calibration curve as needed. For example, when the user observes the displayed fertilizing amount map and determines that the fertilizing amount in the area T with a small fertilizing amount can be increased, the user can perform fine adjustment such as raising the lower limit of the optimization calibration curve by operating the input unit 31.

The 1 st histogram creation unit 35f calculates the average value of the index in the cultivation site FD for each cultivation site FD, and creates a1 st histogram showing the relationship between the average value of the index and the number of cultivation sites (S8). Then, the display unit 32 also displays the 1 st histogram (S11). In this case, the user can operate the input unit 31 and finely adjust the optimum calibration curve as necessary based on the displayed 1 st histogram.

For example, in the 1 st histogram shown, when the number of cultivated lands FD (nursery) having a high average value of NDVI as an index is large and the number of cultivated lands FD having a good growth environment of the crop PL is considered to be large, a certain amount of yield can be expected even if the total fertilizing amount of all the cultivated lands FD is reduced. In this case, the user can operate the input unit 31 to perform fine adjustment such as lowering the upper limit of the fertilizing amount of the optimum calibration curve for each cultivation site FD designated in the fertilizing amount map (as a whole). This can suppress the total fertilizing amount for all the cultivated fields FD, and reduce the fertilizer cost.

The 2 nd histogram creation unit 35g calculates an average value of the fertilizing amount determined by the fertilizing amount determination unit 35d in the cultivation site FD for each cultivation site FD, and creates a2 nd histogram showing a relationship between the average value of the fertilizing amount and the number of the cultivation sites FD (S9). Then, the display unit 32 also displays the 2 nd histogram (S11). In this case, the user can operate the input unit 31 and finely adjust the optimum calibration curve as necessary based on the displayed 2 nd histogram.

For example, in the 2 nd histogram shown, the number of cultivated lands FD (nursery) having a high average fertilizing amount is small, and when considering that the cultivated lands FD having a good growing environment of the crop PL are large, a certain amount of yield can be expected even if the total fertilizing amount of all the cultivated lands FD is reduced. Therefore, in this case, as described above, the user operates the input unit 31 to perform fine adjustment such as reduction of the upper limit of the fertilizing amount of the optimized calibration curve for each cultivation site FD designated in the fertilizing amount map (as a whole), thereby suppressing the total fertilizing amount with respect to all the cultivation sites FD and reducing the cost of the fertilizer.

Further, the fertilizing amount determining unit 35d calculates the total fertilizing amount for all the cultivated lands FD, that is, the combined value of the fertilizing amounts for the respective cultivated lands FD, based on the fertilizing amounts for the respective cultivated lands FD determined in S6 (S10). Then, the display unit 32 displays the total fertilizing amount, an approval button for requesting approval from the user, and an order button for accepting an order from the user. Thus, the user can confirm the total fertilizing amount on the display screen 32a of the display unit 32, and can instruct (click) the input unit 31 to input instructions (click) on the approval button and the order button as necessary to order the fertilizer.

The order controller 35h orders the fertilizer according to the total fertilizer application amount only after accepting the user 'S approval by the user' S instruction input to the approval button on the display screen 32a of the display unit 32 and accepting the user 'S order by the user' S instruction input to the order button (S14 to S16). The order of the fertilizer is not made if the approval of the user is not obtained, so that disputes related to the order of the fertilizer can be prevented from occurring.

As described above, the fertilization designing method, the fertilization designing apparatus, and the fertilization designing system described in the present embodiment can also be expressed as follows.

A1. A fertilization design method, comprising: a crop information acquisition step of acquiring crop information relating to the variety and cultivation area of a crop; a measurement value acquisition step of acquiring measurement values by remote sensing with respect to a plurality of areas included in a cultivation area where the crop is cultivated; an index calculation step of calculating an index indicating the growth state of the crop for each region based on the measurement value; an optimized calibration curve estimation step of estimating an optimized calibration curve that optimally represents a relationship between the indicator and the fertilizing amount for the crop, based on a reference calibration curve that is a past calibration curve for the crop, or the crop information and the indicator; and a fertilizing amount determining step of determining the fertilizing amount for fertilizing the cultivation site based on the index and the optimized calibration curve.

A2. In the fertilization designing method according to claim a1, in the optimized calibration curve estimating step, when data on the reference calibration curve of the crop is stored in a database, the data is acquired from the database to estimate the optimized calibration curve, and when the data is not stored in the database, the optimized calibration curve is estimated from the crop information and the index.

A3. The fertilization designing method as recited in claim a1 or a2, further comprising a cultivation information acquisition step of acquiring cultivation information on cultivation conditions of the crop, wherein the optimized calibration curve estimation step estimates the optimized calibration curve by changing the reference calibration curve based on the cultivation conditions.

A4. The fertilization designing method of claim a3, wherein the cultivation conditions include any one of an accumulated air temperature, an average precipitation amount, and an average sunshine amount during a cultivation period in the cultivation area of the crop.

A5. In the fertilization designing method according to claim a1 or a2, in the optimized calibration curve estimating step, data on the reference calibration curve of the crop and data on a past harvest yield of the crop are acquired from a database, and the optimized calibration curve is estimated based on the reference calibration curve and the harvest yield.

A6. The fertilization design method of any one of a 1-a 5, wherein the reference calibration curve is a calibration curve taken in the past with respect to the same variety as the crop.

A7. The fertilization designing method as defined in claim A6, wherein the reference calibration curve is a calibration curve obtained in the past for the same cultivation area as the crop.

A8. The fertilization designing method as set forth in a6, wherein the reference calibration curve is a calibration curve obtained in the past with respect to a cultivar cultivated in a region surrounding the region of cultivation of the crop.

A9. The fertilization design method of any one of a 1-a 5, wherein the reference calibration curve is a calibration curve taken in the past with respect to a variety that is directly orthodox to the crop.

A10. In the fertilization designing method according to claim a1 or a2, in the optimal calibration curve estimating step, an optimal calibration curve is estimated based on the crop information and the distribution of the index in the cultivation area.

A11. The fertilization design method of any one of claims a1 to a10, further comprising a display step of displaying the optimized calibration curve estimated in the optimized calibration curve estimation step.

A12. The fertilization designing method according to claim a11, further comprising an optimal calibration curve adjustment step of adjusting the optimal calibration curve based on an instruction input from a user, wherein in the fertilization amount determination step, the fertilization amount is determined based on the index and the adjusted optimal calibration curve.

A13. The fertilization designing method according to claim a11 or a12, further comprising a fertilization amount map creating step of creating a fertilization amount map showing distribution of the fertilization amount determined in the fertilization amount determining step in the cultivation site, and the display step further displays the fertilization amount map.

A14. The fertilization designing method according to any one of a11 to a13, further comprising a1 st histogram creation step of, for each of the cultivation places, calculating an average value of the index in the cultivation place, creating a1 st histogram showing a relationship between the average value of the index and the number of the cultivation places, and in the display step, further displaying the 1 st histogram.

A15. The fertilization designing method according to claim a14, further comprising a2 nd histogram creating step of, in the 2 nd histogram creating step, calculating an average value of the fertilization amounts determined in the fertilization amount determining step in the cultivation areas for each of the cultivation areas, creating a2 nd histogram showing a relationship between the average value of the fertilization amounts and the number of the cultivation areas, and in the displaying step, further displaying the 2 nd histogram.

A16. A fertilization designing method according to any one of claims a11 to a15, further comprising a total fertilization amount calculating step of calculating a total fertilization amount for all the cultivated lands based on the fertilization amount for each cultivated land determined in the fertilization amount determining step, and the displaying step of displaying the total fertilization amount, an approval button for requesting approval from a user, and an order button for accepting an order from a user.

A17. The fertilizer application design method of claim a16, further comprising an ordering step of ordering fertilizer according to the total fertilizer application amount only after accepting user approval by user instruction input to the approval button and when accepting user order by user instruction input to the ordering button.

B1. A fertilizer application designing device is provided with: an input unit for accepting an input of information by a user; an index calculation unit that calculates an index indicating a growth state of a crop for each of a plurality of areas included in a cultivation area where the crop is cultivated, based on remote sensing-based measurement values of the plurality of areas when crop information relating to a variety and the cultivation area of the crop is input through the input unit; an optimized calibration curve estimating unit that estimates an optimized calibration curve that optimally represents a relationship between the indicator and the fertilizing amount for the crop, based on a reference calibration curve that is a past calibration curve for the crop, or the crop information and the indicator; and a fertilizing amount determining part which determines the fertilizing amount for fertilizing the cultivation land based on the index and the optimized calibration curve.

B2. The fertilization design apparatus of claim B1, wherein the optimized calibration curve estimation section estimates the optimized calibration curve based on the reference calibration curve when data on the reference calibration curve of the crop is stored in a database, and estimates the optimized calibration curve based on the crop information and the index when the data is not stored in the database.

B3. In the fertilizer application designing apparatus according to B1 or B2, the optimum calibration curve estimating unit estimates the optimum calibration curve by changing the reference calibration curve based on the cultivation conditions when cultivation information relating to the cultivation conditions of the crop is input through the input unit.

B4. The fertilization designing apparatus according to claim B3, wherein the cultivation conditions include any one of an accumulated air temperature, an average precipitation amount, and an average sunshine amount during a cultivation period in the cultivation area of the crop.

B5. The fertilization design apparatus of claim B1 or B2, the optimized calibration curve estimation section estimates the optimized calibration curve based on data on the reference calibration curve of the crop and data on past harvest yields of the crop stored in the database.

B6. A fertilization design apparatus as claimed in any one of B1 to B5, wherein the reference calibration curve is a calibration curve taken in the past with respect to the same variety as the crop.

B7. The fertilization designing apparatus according to claim B6, wherein the reference calibration curve is a calibration curve obtained in the past for the same cultivation area as the crop.

B8. The fertilization designing apparatus according to claim B6, wherein the reference calibration curve is a calibration curve obtained in the past with respect to a variety cultivated in a region surrounding the cultivation region of the crop.

B9. A fertilization design apparatus as claimed in any one of claims B1 to B5, wherein the reference calibration curve is a calibration curve taken in the past in respect of a variety that is directly orthodox to the crop.

B10. The fertilization design apparatus of claim B1 or B2, wherein the optimized calibration curve estimation section estimates an optimized calibration curve based on the crop information and the distribution of the index in the cultivation area.

B11. The fertilization design apparatus of any one of claims B1 through B10, further comprising a display section that displays the optimized calibration curve estimated by the optimized calibration curve estimation section.

B12. The fertilization designing apparatus according to claim B11, wherein the optimized calibration curve estimator adjusts the optimized calibration curve based on an instruction input from a user, and the fertilization amount determiner determines the fertilization amount based on the indicator and the adjusted optimized calibration curve.

B13. The fertilization designing apparatus according to claim B11 or B12, further comprising a fertilization amount map creation unit for creating a fertilization amount map indicating distribution of the fertilization amount determined by the fertilization amount determination unit in the cultivation site, wherein the display unit further displays the fertilization amount map.

B14. The fertilization designing apparatus according to any one of claims B11 to B13, further comprising a1 st histogram creating unit that calculates an average value of the index in the cultivation site for each cultivation site, creates a1 st histogram showing a relationship between the average value of the index and the number of the cultivation sites, and the display unit further displays the 1 st histogram.

B15. The fertilizer application designing apparatus according to claim B14, further comprising a2 nd histogram creating unit that calculates an average value of the fertilizer application amount determined by the fertilizer application amount determining unit in the cultivation area for each of the cultivation areas, creates a2 nd histogram showing a relationship between the average value of the fertilizer application amount and the number of the cultivation areas, and the display unit further displays the 2 nd histogram.

B16. The fertilizer application design apparatus of any one of B11 to B15, wherein the fertilizer application amount determination unit calculates a total fertilizer application amount for all the cultivated lands based on the fertilizer application amount for each cultivated land, and the display unit further displays the total fertilizer application amount, an approval button for requesting approval from a user, and an order button for accepting an order from a user.

B17. The fertilizer applicator design device of claim B16, further comprising an ordering control unit for ordering fertilizer according to the total fertilizer application amount only after accepting user approval by user instruction input to the approval button and when accepting user ordering by user instruction input to the ordering button.

B18. A fertilizer application designing apparatus according to B1, further comprising: a total fertilizing amount calculating part for calculating total fertilizing amount of all cultivating lands based on the fertilizing amount of each cultivating land determined by the fertilizing amount determining part; and a display part for displaying the total fertilizing amount, an approval button for requesting approval of the user, and an order button for accepting an order of the user.

B19. The fertilizer application designing apparatus according to claim B18, further comprising an ordering control unit configured to control ordering of fertilizer based on an instruction input via the input unit, wherein the ordering control unit orders the fertilizer according to the total fertilizer application amount only after accepting user approval by the instruction input of the approval button by the user and when accepting user ordering by the instruction input of the ordering button by the user.

C1. A fertilization design system, comprising: the fertilization design apparatus of any one of B1 to B19, a1 st database storing the measurement values, and a2 nd database storing at least data of the reference calibration curve, wherein the index calculation unit of the fertilization design apparatus calculates the index based on the measurement values stored in the 1 st database, and the optimized calibration curve estimation unit estimates the optimized calibration curve from the data of the reference calibration curve stored in the 2 nd database, or the crop information and the index.

C2. The fertilization design system of claim C1, further comprising a3 rd database storing cultivation information relating to cultivation conditions of the crop, wherein the optimized calibration curve estimation unit estimates the optimized calibration curve by changing the reference calibration curve based on the data of the cultivation conditions stored in the 3 rd database.

C3. The fertilization designing system according to claim C1 or C2, further comprising an imaging unit for imaging the cultivation site where the crop is cultivated to obtain an image, wherein the 1 st database stores data of the image obtained by the imaging unit as the measurement value.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention can be implemented by being extended or modified within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

The present invention can be used in a device and system for determining the amount of fertilizer applied to a growing area.

Description of reference numerals:

30 fertilization design device

31 input unit

32 display part

35b index calculating part

35c optimization calibration curve estimating section

35d fertilizing amount determining part

35h order control part

Claims (18)

1. A fertilization design method, comprising:

a crop information acquisition step of acquiring crop information relating to the variety and cultivation area of a crop;

a measurement value acquisition step of acquiring measurement values by remote sensing with respect to a plurality of areas included in a cultivation area where the crop is cultivated;

an index calculation step of calculating an index indicating the growth state of the crop for each region based on the measurement value;

an optimized calibration curve estimation step of estimating an optimized calibration curve that optimally represents a relationship between the indicator and the fertilizing amount for the crop, based on a reference calibration curve that is a past calibration curve for the crop, or the crop information and the indicator;

a display step of displaying the optimized calibration curve estimated in the optimized calibration curve estimation step;

an optimized calibration curve adjusting step of adjusting the optimized calibration curve based on an instruction input by a user; and

and a fertilizing amount determining step of determining the fertilizing amount to be applied to the cultivation area based on the index and the adjusted optimized calibration curve.

2. The fertilization design method of claim 1,

in the optimized calibration curve estimating step, when data on the reference calibration curve of the crop is stored in a database, the data is acquired from the database to estimate the optimized calibration curve, and when the data is not stored in the database, the optimized calibration curve is estimated from the crop information and the index.

3. The fertilization design method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a cultivation information acquisition step of acquiring cultivation information relating to the cultivation conditions of the crop,

in the optimized calibration curve estimating step, the optimized calibration curve is estimated by changing the reference calibration curve based on the cultivation conditions.

4. The fertilization design method of claim 3,

the cultivation conditions include any one of an accumulated air temperature, an average precipitation amount, and an average solar radiation amount during a cultivation period in the cultivation area of the crop.

5. The fertilization design method of claim 1 or 2,

in the optimized calibration curve estimating step, data on the reference calibration curve of the crop and data on a past harvest yield of the crop are acquired from a database, and the optimized calibration curve is estimated based on the reference calibration curve and the harvest yield.

6. The fertilization design method of claim 1,

the reference calibration curve is a calibration curve obtained in the past for the same variety as the crop.

7. The fertilization design method of claim 6,

the reference calibration curve is a calibration curve obtained in the past for the same cultivation area as the crop.

8. The fertilization design method of claim 6,

the reference calibration curve is a calibration curve obtained in the past with respect to a variety cultivated in a region surrounding the cultivation region of the crop.

9. The fertilization design method of claim 1,

the reference calibration curve is a calibration curve obtained in the past with respect to a variety that is directly related to the crop.

10. The fertilization design method of claim 1 or 2,

in the optimized calibration curve estimating step, an optimized calibration curve is estimated based on the crop information and the distribution of the index in the cultivation area.

11. The fertilization design method of claim 1, further comprising:

a fertilizing amount map producing step of producing a fertilizing amount map indicating distribution of the fertilizing amount determined in the fertilizing amount determining step in the planting ground,

in the displaying step, the fertilizing amount map is also displayed.

12. The fertilization design method of claim 1, further comprising:

a1 st histogram creation step of calculating an average value of the index in the cultivation area for each of the cultivation areas, creating a1 st histogram showing a relationship between the average value of the index and the number of the cultivation areas,

in the displaying step, the 1 st histogram is also displayed.

13. The fertilization design method of claim 12, further comprising:

a2 nd histogram creating step of calculating an average value of the fertilizing amount determined in the fertilizing amount determining step in the cultivation area for each cultivation area, creating a2 nd histogram showing a relationship between the average value of the fertilizing amount and the number of the cultivation areas,

in the displaying step, the 2 nd histogram is also displayed.

14. The fertilization design method of claim 1, further comprising:

a total fertilizing amount calculating step of calculating a total fertilizing amount for all the cultivated lands based on the fertilizing amount for each cultivated land determined in the fertilizing amount determining step,

in the display process, the total fertilizing amount, an approval button for requesting approval from the user, and an order button for accepting an order from the user are also displayed.

15. The fertilization design method of claim 14, further comprising:

and an ordering step of ordering the fertilizer according to the total fertilizing amount only after the approval of the user is accepted by the instruction input of the approval button by the user and when the order of the user is accepted by the instruction input of the order button by the user.

16. A fertilizer application designing device is provided with:

an input unit for accepting an input of information by a user;

an index calculation unit that calculates an index indicating a growth state of a crop for each of a plurality of areas included in a cultivation area where the crop is cultivated, based on remote sensing-based measurement values of the plurality of areas when crop information relating to a variety and the cultivation area of the crop is input through the input unit;

an optimized calibration curve estimating unit that estimates an optimized calibration curve that optimally represents a relationship between the indicator and the fertilizing amount for the crop, based on a reference calibration curve that is a past calibration curve for the crop, or the crop information and the indicator;

a display unit that displays the optimized calibration curve estimated by the optimized calibration curve estimation unit;

an optimized calibration curve adjusting part which adjusts the optimized calibration curve based on the instruction input of the user; and

and a fertilizing amount determining unit that determines the fertilizing amount to be applied to the cultivation area based on the index and the adjusted optimized calibration curve.

17. The fertilization design apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

a total fertilizing amount calculating part for calculating the total fertilizing amount of all the cultivating lands based on the fertilizing amount of each cultivating land determined by the fertilizing amount determining part,

wherein the display part further displays the total fertilizing amount, an approval button for requesting approval of the user, and an order button for accepting an order of the user.

18. The fertilization design apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

an ordering control section that controls ordering of the fertilizer based on an instruction input via the input section,

the order control part orders the fertilizer corresponding to the total fertilizing amount only after accepting the approval of the user through the instruction input of the approval button by the user and when accepting the order of the user through the instruction input of the order button by the user.

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