Written by Charlotte Cunningham
Rothamsted research has issued a plea to growers, asking them to help with a new study looking at field-edge yield declines by sending them GPS data collected at harvest. Charlotte Cunningham reports. Rothamsted scientists are assessing whether flower-rich margins, hedgerows or tree lines and in return for grower data help, the Institute will provide farmers with an easy to interpret summary of the findings, with tips on how they might increase production. The data will be integral to a study linking the biodiversity found just beyond the field with variations in yield within it Dr Helen Metcalfe, who is collating the data, said different types of field boundaries could help to reduce the yield decline at field edges. “Have you ever wondered what the true benefit of hedgerows, treelines or flower rich margins are on your crop yield? “By linking the yield monitor data collected by GPS enabled combine harvesters with the presence of different landscape features, we’ll try to determine whether yield decline towards the edge of fields is associated with certain types of boundaries. “Likewise, we’ll also identify whether features known to support pollinators and other beneficial wildlife are having a positive effect on yield in the nearest…
The post Combine data wanted for field-edge yield study appeared first on cpm magazine.
Continue reading on CPM website...
If you are enjoying what you read then why not considering subscribing:
