Precision Agriculture: What is it and what's out there
Precision agriculture refers to the use of technology that helps farmers to manage their fields in a more precise and accurate manner. These technologies include:
- Precision agriculture technology to predict and monitor crop yields.
- Sensors that can measure a variety of field parameters.
- Remote sensing, such as satellite imagery data to detect problems in the field and monitor field performance.
- Decision support software tools.
- Robotics – precision application of inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides and seeds.
Understanding the Concepts: Smart Farming and Management Zones
Until recently, there was a distinction between smart farming and precision agriculture. While smart farming encompassed all the above technologies, precision agriculture referred to technologies that allow to divide large fields to “management zones”, based on the variations in the field, and manage each zone individually, rather than refer to the whole field as one uniform unit.
Currently, soil mapping and GPS guidance have the highest adoption rate, exceeding 80% in the large farms. Other technologies have a lower, but continuously increasing, adoption rate. As technology continues to influence the way we live, work and farm, smart farms and technology development have a critical role to play in the global grand challenge of feeding a growing population with fewer resources.
Yield Monitoring and Mapping
Yield monitors are one of the first precision agriculture tools that were introduced. They allow the combine harvester to collect real-time data on the amount of yield harvested and other related parameters, such as grain moisture. The yield monitor also includes a GPS receiver, which records the physical location, along with the yield data. The information can be displayed on a map, referred to as a “yield map”. This helps the farmer relate yield variations in the field to other factors that can affect the yield, such as variation in soil, application of inputs, and irrigation.
In-field Sensors and Data Collection
Most precision agriculture technologies use sensors. Some sensors can be placed in the field at monitoring stations to measure the plant’s immediate surroundings as it grows. For instance, soil moisture sensors measure the moisture content of the soil, enabling farmers to make smart irrigation management decisions. Advancements in these instruments enable measurement at various depths, ease installation, and offer continuous data transmission to apps or computer software.
The following table summarizes various sensors and their applications in the field:
| Sensor Type | Primary Function |
|---|---|
| Soil Moisture Sensors | Measure moisture content for irrigation management. |
| Soil Electrical Conductivity | Used for salinity estimation and fertilization management. |
| Nitrogen Probes | Measure nitrogen levels in soil (though complex for management). |
| Graphene-based Sensors | Mounted on leaves to provide data on water uptake and stress. |
| Environmental Sensors | Measure soil temperature, pH, air temperature, and humidity. |
Despite their benefits, the major drawback of sensors placed in the field is that they provide information on a specific place within the field and on a small number of plants. Therefore, the location where the sensors are placed must represent the section of the field that the farmer would like to monitor.
Remote Sensing and Integrated Platforms
Data from satellites and drones provide an additional dimension of the field. Today, digital agronomy platforms like CropX bring together soil sensing, satellite imagery, irrigation management, disease prediction, nutrient management, and yield forecasting, all powered by AI and machine learning.
A visionary integration between Reinke and CropX now allows farmers to view data directly within the ReinCloud® 3 platform. This seamless, single-platform experience represents a major leap forward in user-friendly farm management, allowing growers to access comprehensive soil, weather, and agronomic insights alongside their pivot control systems in one unified location. This entire set of data enables the farmer to make much better decisions about his field and crop.