Use of Optical Sensors Technology for the Fertilization of Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Mexicali, B. C., Mexico.

In spite of its importance, wheat production in the valley of Mexicali, B.C., Mexico, could be at risk of disappearing due to the low profitability of this activity. One of the causes of the low profitability of wheat production may be due to farmers could be using more nitrogen (N) fertilizers than required. Furthermore, the N that is not recovered by the crop is lost to the environment, aggravating contamination problems. One advanced strategy, the optical sensor based technology (GreenSeeker™) along with an algorithm, its currently showing efficacy on sustainable fertilizer management worldwide. The objectives of this work were two; first, to generate a dependable yield prediction equation for locally grown wheat and second; to compare wheat yields, fertilizer rates and chemical fertilizers costs, using the sensor based technology, versus the farmer’s conventional fertilization practice. There were established calibration, validation and technology transfer trials from 2009 to 2011. It was obtained a yield prediction equation that proven to be useful in recommending optimal fertilizer rates. Without a yield reduction (P = 0.2713), the sensor based technology fertilization mean rate was 68 kg N ha-1 lower than that applied by farmers following their conventional practice (P = 0.0015). These savings accounted for $ 100 (USD) ha-1 ($ 2,000 per 20 ha field). From these results, it´s concluded that in Mexicali, B.C., Mexico, through the use of optical sensor based technology, it is possible to obtain substantial savings on wheat related fertilizer costs, to contribute to increase profitability for farmers and to reduce environmental impacts by avoiding unnecessary fertilizer application rates in conventional wheat production. 1