Precision agriculture is a farming management concept based on observing, measuring and responding to inter- and intra-field variability in crops. In this paper, we focus on responding to intra-field variability in potato crops and analyse variable rate applications (VRAs). We made an overview of potential VRAs in potato crop management in The Netherlands. We identified 13 potential VRAs in potato, ranging from soil tillage to planting to crop care to selective harvest. We ranked them on availability of ‘proof of concept’ and on-farm test results. For five VRAs, we found test results allowing to make a cost-benefit assessment. These five VRAs were as follows: planting, soil herbicide weed control, N side dress, late blight control and haulm killing. They use one of two types of spatial data: soil maps or biomass index maps. Data on costs and savings of the VRAs showed that the investments in VRAs will pay off under practical conditions in The Netherlands. Savings on pesticide use and N-fertilizer use with the VRAs were on average about 25%, which benefits the environment too. We foresee a slow but gradual adoption of VRAs in potato production. More VRAs will become available given ongoing R&D. The perspectives of VRAs in potatoes are discussed.

中文翻译：

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荷兰马铃薯变率技术应用进展

精准农业是一种基于观察、测量和应对作物田间和田间变异的农业管理概念。在本文中，我们专注于应对马铃薯作物的田间变异并分析可变速率应用 (VRA)。我们概述了荷兰马铃薯作物管理中潜在的 VRA。我们在马铃薯中确定了 13 种潜在的 VRA，从土壤耕作到种植、作物护理到选择性收获。我们根据“概念证明”的可用性和农场测试结果对它们进行了排名。对于五个 VRA，我们发现测试结果可以进行成本效益评估。这五个 VRA 如下：种植、土壤除草剂杂草控制、N 侧施、晚疫病控制和稻草杀灭。他们使用两种类型的空间数据之一：土壤图或生物量指数图。VRA 的成本和节省数据表明，在荷兰的实际条件下，VRA 的投资将获得回报。VRA 在农药使用和氮肥使用方面的平均节省约 25%，这也有利于环境。我们预计在马铃薯生产中将缓慢但逐渐地采用 VRA。鉴于正在进行的研发，将​​有更多 VRA 可用。讨论了马铃薯中 VRA 的前景。