Presicion Farming

Question 1

Definition of ‘precision farming’

Answer 1

refers to various technologies for the efficient / targeted management of fields, taking into account spatial heterogenity

Precision farming includes:
- data management / geodata
- site-specific management
- automation / robotics
- deployment management / fleet management / swarm applications

Question 2

Offline apporach with aerial photographs / multicopters

Answer 2

on basis of flight images, application maps are created to regulate the application rate

Workflow for creating an application map: Field - Drone - Flight pattern - GIS Map - Map on the Tractor Operator Monitor

Question 3

Online detection of weed plants

Answer 3

Über optische Sensoren, i.d.R. analog zu Sensoren für die Düngung

Keine Einzelpflanzenerkennung, Erkennung nur über Vegetationsindices

Anwendungen von nicht-selektiven Herbiziden

Image processing:
goal: single-plant detection
challanges: computing power, image resolution
current methods: machine learning

Question 4

Hood sprayer

Answer 4

Herbicides with high risk for phytotoxicity

e.g. foliar applied / non-selective herbicides in crops where only soil applied herbicides are homologated

Question 5

Band application with standard boom sprayers

Answer 5

Adapted distribution pattern of nozzles

Nozzles with a narrower spray angle

Example: Amaselect Row (Amazone)

We need straight rows and even distances

Question 6

Spot spraying

Answer 6

Individual nozzle control

Nozzles with a narrower spray angle

Example: Rumex RXF 600

Question 7

Combination of methods for precision application

Answer 7

Spray within row, hoe between row
up to 70% less herbicide

Question 8

methods of weed removal in robotics

Answer 8

Mechanical (almost every robot)
Thermal
-> high energy requirement, non-specific, control between rows without damaging crop is difficult, high risk of fire

Electric
-> the more a plant has died, the lower the internal resistance and the more current flows, solution: interrupt power or even more current

Question 9

main activities of various research institutions

Answer 9

Autonomy/robotics is state of the art (there are now also kits for the hobby sector)

Improved lane guidance

Robotized crop production research (e.g. phenotyping, breeding,…)

Prototypes and test platforms