The full form of GPS is Global Positioning System. This technology has advanced to such an extent and has many applications across a plethora of industries. The primary area where GPS is deemed important is in the field of precision farming and agriculture. Here are the important uses of GPS in the agricultural sector and how it has changed the way farmers deliver their purpose.
Soil sampling
GPS offers the necessary data to correctly ascertain the soil variability and to determine whether the particular type of soil is perfect for the growth of a particular crop. Soil sampling also assists in soil profiling to differentiate between the soils that are variable and those which are not.
Weed location
With the help of linear sampling technique, GPS can be helpful in singling out weed patches in the vast stretches of the lands. Weed creates a hindrance in the effective growth of a crop and also obstructs the eventual yields over a given period of time.
Accurate planning
GPS agriculture is also helpful when you are planning the planting of a particular crop. Each and every seed has a particular spacing and depth needed which depends on the soil type. With the help of GPS, it makes it easy for you to tell what spacing a particular seed needs and to what depth the seed should be sown so as to return the maximum yields.
Determination of planting ratios
GPS also comes in handy in determining the planting ratios of seeds. Many seeds have particular spaces in between them while some other seeds may be sown together with other seeds. GPS helps in ascertaining the ratio of this kind of planting.
Creation of yield maps
GPS helps significantly in the creation of yield maps for particular types of crops. For example, when it comes to the harvest, GPS is used to map out expected yields of a particular crop from one piece of land on the basis of land characteristics and the seed characteristics.
Harvesting
GPS also helps in determining what area of farm is harvest ready and how it will take place. The GPS also gives us an estimate of the size of the area which is being harvested and the anticipated returns from the area.
Locating a yield map
GPS is also helpful in locating a yield map by mounting a GPS receiver on a farm equipment or machinery and then soliciting the data.