Sensing Approaches For Precision Agriculture

Sensing Approaches for Precision Agriculture aims to bring together the ‘state of the art’ of the most popular sensing techniques and the current state of research on the application of sensors in Precision Agriculture (PA). Sensing is of great value in PA because it provides cheap and immediate data for management. This book gives a broad overview of sensing in PA and a coherent introduction for new professionals and research scientists. Readers are introduced to the potential applications of a range of different sensors, how they should be used properly and their limitations for use in PA. Chapters on specific topics and case studies provide depth and enable implementation of the methods by users. A general introduction about sensing techniques in PA is followed by Chapters 2–9 on the most important specific techniques in sensing and Chapters 10–13 include mini-case studies, each showing cutting-edge applications for different sensing methods. Finally, there is an Epilogue on how we expect sensors and analysis to develop.

High yields and environmental control in crop farming call for precise adaptations to local growing conditions. Treating large fields in a uniform way by high capacity machinery cannot be regarded as a sustainable method for many situations. Because differences existing within single fields must be considered. The transition from former field work carried out manually or by small implements to present-day high-capacity machinery caused that the farmers lost the immediate and close contact with soils and crops. However, modern sensing and controlling technology can make up for this deficit. High tech methods that include proximal sensing and signals from satellites can provide for controls that allow adjusting farming operations to small fractions of one ha and sometimes even down to some m2, hence in a site-specific mode. This applies to operations for soil cultivation, sowing, fertilizing and plant protection. This book deals with site-specific concepts, applications and results.

Agricultural Internet of Things and Decision Support for Smart Farming reveals how a set of key enabling technologies (KET) related to agronomic management, remote and proximal sensing, data mining, decision-making and automation can be efficiently integrated in one system. Chapters cover how KETs enable real-time monitoring of soil conditions, determine real-time, site-specific requirements of crop systems, help develop a decision support system (DSS) aimed at maximizing the efficient use of resources, and provide planning for agronomic inputs differentiated in time and space. This book is ideal for researchers, academics, post-graduate students and practitioners who want to embrace new agricultural technologies. Presents the science behind smart technologies for agricultural management Reveals the power of data science and how to extract meaningful insights from big data on what is most suitable based on individual time and space Proves how advanced technologies used in agriculture practices can become site-specific, locally adaptive, operationally feasible and economically affordable

Remote Sensing in Precision Agriculture: Transforming Scientific Advancement into Innovation compiles the latest applications of remote sensing in agriculture using spaceborne, airborne and drones’ geospatial data. The book presents case studies, new algorithms and the latest methods surrounding crop sown area estimation, determining crop health status, assessment of vegetation dynamics, crop diseases identification, crop yield estimation, soil properties, drone image analysis for crop damage assessment, and other issues in precision agriculture. This book is ideal for those seeking to explore and implement remote sensing in an effective and efficient manner with its compendium of scientifically and technologically sound information. Presents a well-integrated collection of chapters, with quality, consistency and continuity Provides the latest RS techniques in Precision Agriculture that are addressed by leading experts Includes detailed, yet geographically global case studies that can be easily understood, reproduced or implemented Covers geospatial data, with codes available through shared links

Precision Agriculture: Evolution, Insights and Emerging Trends presents a complete guide from foundational concepts to the economic, commercial and environmental implications of the approach. Showcasing recent research improvements, future trends, and highlighting innovative use of machine vision, artificial intelligence, UAVs, drones, IoT and data analytics to promote sustainable agriculture, the book brings the reader up-to-date with understanding and implementing this targeted practice. From the basic elements of agronomy to insights on reflectance and remote sensing indices, chapters use summary abstracts, case studies and real-world examples of implementing the tools of precision agriculture (PA) to demonstrate the latest advances. It includes explanations on the origin of the intra-plot variability of a culture (spatial and temporal), different types of existing sensors, controllers and site-specific management. The book further explores yield monitoring, weed, disease and pest control, automated irrigation systems, PA tools for variable rate application of inputs within the field, and data processing methods. By also exploring the economic profitability of precision farming approaches, and its utility for sustainable agriculture, Precision Agriculture: Evolution, Insights and Emerging Trends is a truly comprehensive view of this important approach to improving global agriculture production. Scientists, researchers, policymakers, graduate and postgraduate students, and engineers in the related fields of agriculture, computer science and engineering will benefit from this book. Addresses soil, machinery, plants, irrigation, sensors, UAVs and more Explores current and future technologies in the field of Precision Agriculture Details comprehensive cost-benefit analysis for governments and other policymakers to incentivize and promote precision agriculture technology

The advances in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms and onboard sensors in the past few years have greatly increased our ability to monitor and map crops. The ability to register images at ultrahigh spatial resolution at any moment has made remote sensing techniques increasingly useful in crop management. These technologies have revolutionized the way in which remote sensing is applied in precision agriculture, allowing for decision-making in a matter of days instead of weeks. However, it is still necessary to continue research to improve and maximize the potential of UAV remote sensing in agriculture. This Special Issue of Remote Sensing includes different applications of UAV remote sensing for crop management, covering RGB, multispectral, hyperspectral and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor applications aboard UAVs. The papers reveal innovative techniques involving image analysis and cloud points. However, it should be emphasized that this Special Issue is a small sample of UAV applications in agriculture and that there is much more to investigate.

Novel technologies are playing an important role in the development of crop and livestock farming and have the potential to be the key drivers of sustainable intensification of agricultural systems. In particular, new sensors are now available with reduced dimensions, reduced costs, and increased performances, which can be implemented and integrated in production systems, providing more data and eventually an increase in information. It is of great importance to support the digital transformation, precision agriculture, and smart farming, and to eventually allow a revolution in the way food is produced. In order to exploit these results, authoritative studies from the research world are still needed to support the development and implementation of new solutions and best practices. This Special Issue is aimed at bringing together recent developments related to novel sensors and their proved or potential applications in agriculture.

This book investigates new agricultural systems such as organic and green manuring, as well as integrated pest management practices, and looks at how they can improve farm productivity against the enhancements for the environment. Much of the information presented focuses on microinvestigation of the soil, and on the effects of soil variability within fields on yields and nutrient flows.