The cost of soybean production is increasing. Nutrient inputs are at historically high costs at a time where there is increased variability in growing season conditions. Crops can experience multiple kinds of stresses and better information is needed on strategies that allow the crop to perform as well as possible while using a minimum of inputs. In North Carolina three of the most substantial production costs are seed, nutrient inputs, and water management infrastructure. This project further develops relationships between water stresses and nutrient uptake so that the response to stress conditions will protect the variety’s yield potential, optimize nutrients, and suggest water management approaches – addressing all the major cost centers. The larger outcome of this research and extension effort is in-season response to water challenges such that nutrient input may be reduced, applications timed to environmental stress and profitability improved.
The ability to utilize UAV data to assess plant water and nutrient stress in-season as it occurs and ultimately use the data to prescribe an appropriate course of action is necessary to protect soybean crop profits. This process will provide a framework to quickly assess areas in the field and allow for corrective measures to protect the crop from climatic conditions that ultimate would cause severe yield reductions.