← Case studiesField validation · 01

Basilicata, Italy: The nitrogen deficit that wasn’t

Standard surface sampling read severe, widespread nitrogen deficiency. Checked against ground truth, the 5D engine found a stable baseline instead, and a compaction risk invisible from above.

1.11g/kg
Nitrogen maintenance baseline
41–45%
Clay concentration
Deep-ripping
Where the budget went instead
Brief40.64°N 16.08°E
RegionBasilicata, Italy
QuestionIs the field short of nitrogen?
Method5D correction vs ground truth
OutcomeBudget moved to deep-ripping
Expectation vs realitysame field · two readings
Surface reading2D

Severe, widespread nitrogen deficits across the site.

5D reading5D

A highly stable 1.11 g/kg nitrogen baseline, and 41–45% clay flagging aeration and compaction risk.

Baseline interpretation

Standard surface observations incorrectly suggested severe, widespread nitrogen deficits. On that reading the fertiliser budget would have gone straight to nitrogen.

The 5D correction

Validated against ground truth, our system corrected the deficit, proving a highly stable 1.11 g/kg nitrogen maintenance baseline.

The hidden threat

The engine accurately predicted a massive clay concentration of 41–45%, flagging severe aeration and compaction risks that the nitrogen reading never would have shown.

The fertiliser budget went to deep-ripping instead of nitrogen that was never missing.

The operational pivot

Wasted fertiliser capital was eliminated and resources were redirected to essential deep-ripping and soil aeration.

Clay concentration41–45%
050100%
SectorArable · fertiliser planningRead the field note →
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