Precision agriculture includes all such modern technological advances as precise GNSS, robotics (autonomous vehicles, UAVs), sensors, and GIS that enable improved crop production by soil/field management and minimize the use of energy, seed, herbicides, pesticides and fertilizer. There have been four key precision agriculture developments over the past 25 years. First, field mapping, which enables yield monitoring and the directed application of seed, fertilizer, herbicide and pesticide. Second, precision GNSS, which enables the same plus crop row offset from year to year. This offset, in turn, makes it possible to distribute the plant root system and utilize nutrients in different locations in the field, as well as to minimize soil compaction by ensuring that wheels do not travel over the same row from year to year. Third, autonomy, including UAVs and autonomous vehicles. Fourth, sensors to monitor moisture and water levels, and to identify weeds and plants.
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