Yield Data Management in Rice Cultivation in Precision Agriculture Terms: The Greek Paradigm

A reliable protocol for comprehensive rice yield data management was established to overcome the heterogeneity and inconsistency inherent in using diverse data sources, measurement conditions, and units. This methodology defines systematic routines for data collection, cleansing, calibration, homogenization, analysis, and visualization. Data were collected over an eight-year period from various yield monitors across extensive cultivated areas within the Axios River Plain, Greece. The protocol relies on a Geographic Information System (GIS) to ensure high data integrity. Following calibration against in-situ weighing records, the data accuracy was confirmed as consistently high, ranging between 91.7% and 96.6% annually. Post-processing revealed a critical finding: the within-field yield variability (approx. 8.6%) was significantly lower than the inherent variability of underlying environmental factors (soil and spectral properties (33–35%)), indicating successful resource management by the farmers. Comparative analysis demonstrated that farms employing site-specific fertilization achieved significantly higher average yields (9.87 t/ha) compared to those using conventional, uniform fertilization (9.11 t/ha). The resulting calibrated yield maps are communicated via a web-based Farm Management Information System (FMIS). The established protocol has since been fully integrated into a commercial precision agriculture service, underscoring its practical efficiency and operational value.