Variable-Rate Fertilisation on Durum Wheat Under Conservative Farming

Distribution of high nitrogen (N) inputs would seem to be the optimal solution to improve wheat quality, but high N inputs are not compatible with environment and economy issues. Moreover, the world circumstances are leading to a shortage of mineral nitrogen fertilisers and a sharp increase in prices, putting crop fertilisation programs at risk. Variable-rate fertilisation techniques are enlarging thanks to the possibility of using fewer resources, especially N fertiliser, fuel and labour, and reducing the environmental burden. The aim of the work is to test the feasibility of variable rate fertiliser spreading with machines provided by farmers in the inland areas of Sicily (southern Italy) and examine the effects on durum wheat crop in no tillage conditions through precision farming techniques and methodologies. The variable rate application has been based on prescription maps and the dose of fertiliser to be distributed has been defined before the field operation is carried out. The input rate has been changed by synchronizing the position of the prescription maps with the actual position of the tractor in the field. From fertilisation to harvest the crop has been monitored by field surveys and spectral indices analysis from satellite images. The promising results show the potential of precision farming technologies applied to durum wheat fertilisation under Mediterranean conditions, thanks to the development of new machinery and appropriate techniques; and also thanks to favourable savings in fertilisers, application costs and environmental impact.