Skip to main content

Variable Rate Technology and Its Application in Precision Agriculture

Vivek Sharma, Uday Bhanu Prakash Vaddevolu, Shiva Bhambota, Yiannis Ampatzidis, Haimanote Bayabil, and Aditya Singh


Release Date: 1/22/2025

DOI: 10.32473/edis-ae607-2025

Agriculture

Abstract

The main aim of this publication is to discuss the concept of variable rate technology (VRT), and its components associated with variable rate application of water, fertilizer, and other agricultural inputs. This publication also provides an example of the control system for variable rate application of agricultural inputs in row and tree crops. Written by Vivek Sharma, Uday Bhanu Prakash Vaddevolu, Shiva Bhambota, Yiannis Ampatzidis, Haimanote Bayabil, and Aditya Singh, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2025.

About this Publication

This document is AE607, one of a series of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date January 2025. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. © 2025 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

About the Authors

Vivek Sharma, assistant professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Uday Bhanu Prakash Vaddevolu, postdoctoral associate, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Shiva Bhambota, postdoctoral associate, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Yiannis Ampatzidis, associate professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Haimanote Bayabil, assistant professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; and Aditya Singh, assistant professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

How to Cite

Sharma, V., Vaddevolu, U. B. P., Bhambota, S., Ampatzidis, Y., Bayabil, H., & Singh, A. (2025). Variable Rate Technology and Its Application in Precision Agriculture. EDIS, 2025(1). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ae607-2025

Authors

Aditya Singh
Aditya Singh

assistant professor, remote sensing and spectroscopy, UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Gainesville, FL 

Vivek Sharma
Vivek Sharma
Specialist
University of Florida

associate professor, precision water management, UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Gainesville, FL

Uday Bhanu Prakash Vaddevolu
Uday Bhanu Prakash Vaddevolu

post-doctoral associate, UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Gainesville, FL

Shiva Bhambota
Shiva Bhambota

post-doctoral associate, UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Gainesville, FL

Yiannis Ampatzidis
Yiannis Ampatzidis
Specialist
University of Florida

professor, precision agriculture/automation, smart machines, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center

Haimanote Bayabil
Haimanote Bayabil
Specialist
University of Florida

associate professor, water resources, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, FL

Publication #AE607

Peer Reviewed
AcademicCommercial

Disclaimers

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.

All chemicals should be used in accordance with directions on the manufacturer's label.

Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.