nitrogen fertilizer can be applied to increase yield. On the
other hand, in regions where the NDVI is high, the leaf color
is thick, and the growth is good, the taste (protein content) of
the crop can be improved by reducing topdressing with
nitrogen. Figure 6.54a shows an NDVI map of a field and
Fig. 6.54b shows an example of a corresponding topdressing
amount map. In the farmland with low growth on the left
side of the NDVI map, the topdressing application was
increased.
Figure 6.54c shows the NDVI map after topdressing. It
reveals that growth variability was improved by the variable
topdressing application. Fertilizer was applied by an
unmanned helicopter equipped with GPS, with which it is
possible to change the amount of fertilizer to be sprayed in
different places based on the topdressing map.
Variations in a growth map occur not only due to soil
properties but also due to uneven work. After analyzing the
images, it was speculated that tractor work was the cause of
the variations. By interviewing the farmers, it was found that
a fertilizer shortage occurred in places where some work was
omitted. By feeding back this unevenness to the operator, the
process can be improved. By evaluating variations over time
using the work process management system, the degree of
improvement can be quantified. In Japanese agriculture, field
consolidation has been proceeding; where previously the
managers themselves were the workers, now the manager
and the worker are different individuals, so the management
system is becoming more divided. When managers, who are
capable of observing the appearance of farmland, instruct,
and educate on-site staff, they express a subjective opinion
on growth. However, by quantifying growth using the
growth map, it is possible to share information promptly and
accurately.
References
Abe T, Honda S (2015) Measures of desalinization in tsunami-hit
farmland. 10. Measures to improve soil fertility in tsunami-affected
paddy fields in Miyagi Prefecture. Jap J Soil Sci. Plant Nutr 86:441–
442 (in Japanese)
Ando T, Shiono H (2019) Effects of whole-volume fertilizer application
after harvesting on ‘Satonishiki’ sweet cherry growth and yield.
Acta Hortic 1235:313–318 https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.
2019.1235.43
Aomori Prefecture (2017) Second phase promotion plan of “Japan’s
healthiest soil-making plan” Aomori Prefectural Industrial Technology Research Center. https://www.aomori-itc.or.jp/sehisekkei/
Accessed on 17 May 2019. (in Japanese)
Aoyama M (2015) Functional roles of soil organic matter. Humic Subs
Res 12:21–28
Aoyama M, Kumakura N (2001) Quantitative and qualitative changes
of organic matter in an Ando soil induced by mineral fertilizer and
cattle manure applications for 20 years. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 47:241–
252
Aoyama M, Kumakura N (2002) High and low molecular weight
components of soil humic acids as affected by plant residue
applications. In: Proceedings of the international humic substances
society twentieth anniversary conference, humic substances:
nature’s most versatile materials. Northeastern University, Boston,
pp 25–27
Aoyama M, Taninai Y (1992) Organic matter and its mineralization in
particle size and aggregate size fractions of soils with four-yeara
pplication of farmyard manure. Jpn J Soil Sci Plant Nutri 63:571–
580 (in Japanese with English summary)
Aoyama M, Angers DA, N’Dayegamiye A (1999) Particulate and
mineral-associated organic matter in water-stable aggregates as
affected by mineral fertilizer and manure applications. Can J Soil
Sci 79:295–302
Ariga T (1984) Geomorphological development of Shonai coastal
plain, northeastern Japan, The behavior of alluvial fan’s front since
latest Pleistocene. Annal Tohoku Geographycal Asocciation 36:13–
24 (in Japanese)
Cheng W, Padre AT et al (2016) Changes in the soil C and N contents,
C decomposition and N mineralization potentials in a rice paddy
after long-term application of inorganic fertilizers and organic
matters. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 62:212–219
Cheng W, Kimani SM et al (2018) Forage rice varieties Fukuhibiki and
Tachisuzuka emit larger CH 4 than edible rice Haenuki. Soil Sci
Plant Nutr 64:77–83
Cherr CM, Scholberg JMS, McSorley R (2006) Green manure
approaches to crop production: a synthesis. Agron J 98:302–319
Deguchi S, Uozumi S et al (2012) Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization
increases phosphorus uptake and growth of corn in a white clover
living mulch system. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 58(2):169–72.
10.1080/00380768.2012.662697
Deguchi S, Uozumi S et al (2017) White clover living mulch reduces
the need for phosphorus fertilizer application to corn. Eur J Agron
86:87–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2017.03.006
Edamura T, Kumagai K (2009) The dispersion of Jomon Ruins. Theory
Appl GIS 17:63–72 (in Japanese)
Eusufzai MK, Tokida T et al (2010) Methane emission from rice fields
as affected by land use change. Agr Ecosyst Environ 139:742–748
Eusufzai MK, Tokida T et al (2011) Effect of rice straw application on
CH 4 emission in continuous and recently converted paddy fields.
J Agri Meteorol 67:185–192
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) (2006)
World reference base for soil resources 2006. FAO, Rome
Forestry Agency (2011) Survey of distribution of radio-compounds in
forests. www.rinya.maff.go.jp/j/press/hozen/pdf/111227_2-01.pdf
Accessed on 1 May 2019
Forestry Agency (2013) Forest rate and artificial forest rate in
prefectures in 2013. http://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/j/keikaku/
genkyou/h24/1.html. Accessed on 1 May 2019
Forestry Agency (2017) Survey of distribution of radio-compounds in
forests.
http://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/j/kaihatu/jyosen/attach/pdf/
H28_jittaihaaku_kekka-1.pdf. Accessed on 1 May 2019
Fukushima Agricultural Technology Centre (2017) Reduction of
radioactive cesium transfer to soybean by addition potassium
application and aging effect in decontamination agricultural land.
In: Radiation related support technology information. http://www.
pref.fukushima.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/255860.pdf. Access on
23 Apr 2019
Fukushima Agricultural Technology Centre (2019) Soil fertility
remediation effect by cultivation and incorporation of leguminous
green manure crops in agricultural land after decontamination. In:
Farming resumption demonstrated technical information. http://
www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/315540.pdf.
Access on 23 Apr 2019
6 Tohoku Region
241
other hand, in regions where the NDVI is high, the leaf color
is thick, and the growth is good, the taste (protein content) of
the crop can be improved by reducing topdressing with
nitrogen. Figure 6.54a shows an NDVI map of a field and
Fig. 6.54b shows an example of a corresponding topdressing
amount map. In the farmland with low growth on the left
side of the NDVI map, the topdressing application was
increased.
Figure 6.54c shows the NDVI map after topdressing. It
reveals that growth variability was improved by the variable
topdressing application. Fertilizer was applied by an
unmanned helicopter equipped with GPS, with which it is
possible to change the amount of fertilizer to be sprayed in
different places based on the topdressing map.
Variations in a growth map occur not only due to soil
properties but also due to uneven work. After analyzing the
images, it was speculated that tractor work was the cause of
the variations. By interviewing the farmers, it was found that
a fertilizer shortage occurred in places where some work was
omitted. By feeding back this unevenness to the operator, the
process can be improved. By evaluating variations over time
using the work process management system, the degree of
improvement can be quantified. In Japanese agriculture, field
consolidation has been proceeding; where previously the
managers themselves were the workers, now the manager
and the worker are different individuals, so the management
system is becoming more divided. When managers, who are
capable of observing the appearance of farmland, instruct,
and educate on-site staff, they express a subjective opinion
on growth. However, by quantifying growth using the
growth map, it is possible to share information promptly and
accurately.
References
Abe T, Honda S (2015) Measures of desalinization in tsunami-hit
farmland. 10. Measures to improve soil fertility in tsunami-affected
paddy fields in Miyagi Prefecture. Jap J Soil Sci. Plant Nutr 86:441–
442 (in Japanese)
Ando T, Shiono H (2019) Effects of whole-volume fertilizer application
after harvesting on ‘Satonishiki’ sweet cherry growth and yield.
Acta Hortic 1235:313–318 https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.
2019.1235.43
Aomori Prefecture (2017) Second phase promotion plan of “Japan’s
healthiest soil-making plan” Aomori Prefectural Industrial Technology Research Center. https://www.aomori-itc.or.jp/sehisekkei/
Accessed on 17 May 2019. (in Japanese)
Aoyama M (2015) Functional roles of soil organic matter. Humic Subs
Res 12:21–28
Aoyama M, Kumakura N (2001) Quantitative and qualitative changes
of organic matter in an Ando soil induced by mineral fertilizer and
cattle manure applications for 20 years. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 47:241–
252
Aoyama M, Kumakura N (2002) High and low molecular weight
components of soil humic acids as affected by plant residue
applications. In: Proceedings of the international humic substances
society twentieth anniversary conference, humic substances:
nature’s most versatile materials. Northeastern University, Boston,
pp 25–27
Aoyama M, Taninai Y (1992) Organic matter and its mineralization in
particle size and aggregate size fractions of soils with four-yeara
pplication of farmyard manure. Jpn J Soil Sci Plant Nutri 63:571–
580 (in Japanese with English summary)
Aoyama M, Angers DA, N’Dayegamiye A (1999) Particulate and
mineral-associated organic matter in water-stable aggregates as
affected by mineral fertilizer and manure applications. Can J Soil
Sci 79:295–302
Ariga T (1984) Geomorphological development of Shonai coastal
plain, northeastern Japan, The behavior of alluvial fan’s front since
latest Pleistocene. Annal Tohoku Geographycal Asocciation 36:13–
24 (in Japanese)
Cheng W, Padre AT et al (2016) Changes in the soil C and N contents,
C decomposition and N mineralization potentials in a rice paddy
after long-term application of inorganic fertilizers and organic
matters. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 62:212–219
Cheng W, Kimani SM et al (2018) Forage rice varieties Fukuhibiki and
Tachisuzuka emit larger CH 4 than edible rice Haenuki. Soil Sci
Plant Nutr 64:77–83
Cherr CM, Scholberg JMS, McSorley R (2006) Green manure
approaches to crop production: a synthesis. Agron J 98:302–319
Deguchi S, Uozumi S et al (2012) Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization
increases phosphorus uptake and growth of corn in a white clover
living mulch system. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 58(2):169–72.
10.1080/00380768.2012.662697
Deguchi S, Uozumi S et al (2017) White clover living mulch reduces
the need for phosphorus fertilizer application to corn. Eur J Agron
86:87–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2017.03.006
Edamura T, Kumagai K (2009) The dispersion of Jomon Ruins. Theory
Appl GIS 17:63–72 (in Japanese)
Eusufzai MK, Tokida T et al (2010) Methane emission from rice fields
as affected by land use change. Agr Ecosyst Environ 139:742–748
Eusufzai MK, Tokida T et al (2011) Effect of rice straw application on
CH 4 emission in continuous and recently converted paddy fields.
J Agri Meteorol 67:185–192
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) (2006)
World reference base for soil resources 2006. FAO, Rome
Forestry Agency (2011) Survey of distribution of radio-compounds in
forests. www.rinya.maff.go.jp/j/press/hozen/pdf/111227_2-01.pdf
Accessed on 1 May 2019
Forestry Agency (2013) Forest rate and artificial forest rate in
prefectures in 2013. http://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/j/keikaku/
genkyou/h24/1.html. Accessed on 1 May 2019
Forestry Agency (2017) Survey of distribution of radio-compounds in
forests.
http://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/j/kaihatu/jyosen/attach/pdf/
H28_jittaihaaku_kekka-1.pdf. Accessed on 1 May 2019
Fukushima Agricultural Technology Centre (2017) Reduction of
radioactive cesium transfer to soybean by addition potassium
application and aging effect in decontamination agricultural land.
In: Radiation related support technology information. http://www.
pref.fukushima.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/255860.pdf. Access on
23 Apr 2019
Fukushima Agricultural Technology Centre (2019) Soil fertility
remediation effect by cultivation and incorporation of leguminous
green manure crops in agricultural land after decontamination. In:
Farming resumption demonstrated technical information. http://
www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/315540.pdf.
Access on 23 Apr 2019
6 Tohoku Region
241