The Bronson Files, Dataset 6, Field 13, 2014

Dr. Kevin Bronson provides a unique nitrogen and water management in cotton agricultural research dataset for compute, including notation of field events and operations, an intermediate analysis mega-table of correlated and calculated parameters, and laboratory analysis results generated during the experimentation, plus high-resolution plot level intermediate data analysis tables of SAS process output, as well as the complete raw data sensor recorded logger outputs.

This data was collected using a Hamby rig as a high-throughput proximal plant phenotyping platform.

The Hamby 6000 rig Ellis W. Chenault, & Allen F. Wiese. (1989). Construction of a High-Clearance Plot Sprayer. Weed Technology, 3(4), 659–662. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3987560

Dr. Bronson modified an old high-clearance Hamby 6000 rig, adding a tank and pump with a rear boom, to perform precision liquid N applications. A Raven control unit with GPS supplied variable rate delivery options.

The 12 volt Holland Scientific GeoScoutX data recorder and associated CropCircle ACS-470 sensors with GPS signal, was easy to mount and run on the vehicle as an attached rugged data acquisition module, and allowed the measuring of plants using custom proximal active optical reflectance sensing. The HS data logger was positioned near the operator, and sensors were positioned in front of the rig, on forward protruding armature attached to a hydraulic front boom assembly, facing downward in nadir view 1 m above the average canopy height. A 34-size class AGM battery sat under the operator and provided the data system electrical power supply.

Data suffered reduced input from Conley. Although every effort was afforded to capture adequate quality across all metrics, experiment exterior considerations were such that canopy temperature data is absent, and canopy height is weak due to technical underperformance. Thankfully, reflectance data quality was maintained or improved through the implementation of new hardware by Bronson.

See included README file for operational details and further description of the measured data signals.

Summary: Active optical proximal cotton canopy sensing spatial data and including few additional related metrics and weak low-frequency ultrasonic derived height are presented. Agronomic nitrogen and irrigation management related field operations are listed. Unique research experimentation intermediate analysis table is made available, along with raw data. The raw data recordings, and annotated table outputs with calculated VIs are made available. Plot polygon coordinate designations allow a re-intersection spatial analysis. Data was collected in the 2014 season at Maricopa Agricultural Center, Arizona, USA. High throughput proximal plant phenotyping via electronic sampling and data processing method approach is exampled using a modified high-clearance Hamby spray-rig. Acquired data conforms to location standard methodologies of the plant phenotyping. SAS and GIS compute processing output tables, including Excel formatted examples are presented, where data tabulation and analysis is available. Additional ultrasonic data signal explanation is offered as annotated time-series charts. The weekly proximal sensing data collected include the primary canopy reflectance at six wavelengths. Lint and seed yields, first open boll biomass, and nitrogen uptake were also determined. Soil profile nitrate to 1.8 m depth was determined in 30-cm increments, before planting and after harvest. Nitrous oxide emissions were determined with 1-L vented chambers (samples taken at 0, 12, and 24 minutes). Nitrous oxide was determined by gas chromatography (electron detection detector).