Redesigning Yield Map Plots for Comprehension and Usability

Abstract

A common issue with worldwide farming practices is the inefficient application of crop inputs, like nitrogen, on farm fields. This inefficient application of crop inputs impacts profit and the environment. The purpose of the Data Intensive Farm Management (DIFM) Project is to allow farmers to run experiments that establish the effect of crop input application on yield in specific locations. These trials, called On-Farm Precision Experiments (OFPE), leverage the ability to precisely control the application type and rate using GPS-enabled agricultural machinery. One of the ways the relationship between crop input application and yield can be explored is through visualization. The crop input application and yield data occupy the same spatial domain, making it difficult to perceive any statistical relationships between the data. While yield maps attempting to display this data exist, they do not conform to the principles of effective chart design. Our goal is to produce charts that are useful for a variety of users while adhering to the principles of effective chart design. Additionally, we plan to document this development process, as few papers discuss the process of improving graphics to increase comprehension, ease of use, and perceptual accuracy.