Vultus expands analysis platform with potatoes

Vultus' analysis platform has modelled the relationship between carbon dioxide uptake and the potato plant's growth to estimate potato yield. The Vultus platform's vegetation indices as well as temperature measurements were used to predict yield that was well in line with the actual yield with a difference of only 1-2 percent.

Trial Site

This project was a collaboration with Lyckeby AB. There are 4 plots set up on the field and each plot has an area of 2500 sq. m. The potato in this field was planted on 26th April. From late July until beginning October, yield (kg/ha) and starch content (% and kg/ha) data was provided by Lyckeby every second week. On each sampling round, 16 samples are collected outside of these 4 plots.

Yield Estimation Model

The theory of the yield model is about simulating the relationship between the accumulated carbon by plants and the growth of potato tubers. Accumulated vegetation index and temperature were used as input to predict the yield of potato.

Some preliminary results of yield model presented below:

1. The predicted potato yield matched the field measured from July to October

The predicted yield and the field measured yield (ton/ha).

2. Variation within the field can be captured by the model.

The blue area indicated the parts of the field that have been harvested already.

Estimated potato yield for the days of 2022-09-28 and 2022-10-13.

3. Yield estimations are well matched within each trial plot (Fig.5).

The scatter plot of field measured yield vs the estimated yield for four trial plots.

Starch Estimation Model

Same theory as the yield model that about simulating the relationship between the accumulated carbon by plants and the growth of potato tubers. Accumulated vegetation index and temperature were used as input to predict the starch yield.

Some preliminary results of yield model are presented below:

1. The predicted starch yield matched the field measured from July to October

The time series of measured starch and predicted starch.

2. Starch yield estimations are well matched within each trial plot

The scatter plot of measured starch and predicted starch of each trial plot.

Can you be part of Vultus revolution and gain higher yields at lower costs?  

Yes, you can! Contact us today info@vultus.se to learn more.