PRECISION FARMING AND TERRAMECHANICS

摘要

Precision farming induces a new revolution in agricultural farming system with its high potential of not only reduced environmental impacts but also increased productivity, oriented by high efficiency of advanced technology. Variable management is a key approach of precision farming, using field maps and real-time sensing on temporal and spatial variation in such soils, plant growth and yield, and any other cultivating parameters. Site specific field management can be available with the correct information. In the paper a concept of precision farming and its requirements to agricultural vehicles are discussed, using the spatial and temporal variability of soil fertility obtained in a small field in Japan. How to deal with the variability will be of keen interest for terramechanics engineers as well as agricultural scientists.