Tutorial 6 : Precision agriculture smart farming

Question 1

Global positioning system

Answer 1

a satellite-based navigation system that allows precise determination of geographical locations on earth

Question 2

variable rate technology

Answer 2

technology used in agriculture to vary the rate of application of inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and irrigation water according to specific special requirements within a field

Question 3

Yield monitoring and mapping

Answer 3

technologies used to measure/record crop yields in agricultural fields, often with the aid of GPS and sensors, and to create spatial maps showing variations in yield across the field

Question 4

remote sensing

Answer 4

information about an object without making physical contact with it, through sensors on aircraft or satellites

Question 5

unmanned aerial vehicles

Answer 5

aircraft operated without a human pilot on board, commonly known as drones, are used in various applications including aerial photography, surveying, monitoring in agriculture

Question 6

geographic information systems

Answer 6

system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage and present spatial/geographic data

Question 7

automated steering system

Answer 7

technology that enables vehicles or machinery to automatically steer along a predetermined path, often using GPS or other positioning systems

Question 8

precision farming software

Answer 8

software applications designed to assist farmers in managing their operations with a high degree of precision, often integrating data from various sources such as GPS, sensors, remote sensing

Question 9

drones

Answer 9

unmanned aerial vehicles are used for various purposes including data collection, surveillance, and monitoring in agriculture

Question 10

connectivity protocols

Answer 10

standards and protocols governing the communication between devices and systems in precision agriculture, ensuring interoperability and compatibility and also keeps data safe

Question 11

telematics

Answer 11

the technology of sending, receiving, and storing information related to remote objects, typically vehicles via telecommunication devices
(fast and simultaneously)

Question 12

machine vision technology

Answer 12

technology that enables machines to visually perceive their environment, often through cameras and image processing algorithms

Question 13

artificial intelligence

Answer 13

a simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, typically involving tasks such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving

Question 14

machine learning

Answer 14

a subset of AI that focuses on the development of algorithms and statistical models that enable computers to perform specific tasks without being explicitly programmed

Question 15

deep learning

Answer 15

a subset of machine learning that uses neural networks with many layers that go deeper and deeper and deeper to learn from large amounts of data

Question 16

decision support system

Answer 16

computer-based systems that assist decision-makers in making choices by providing relevant information and analysis

Question 17

fourth agricultural revolution

Answer 17

the ongoing transportation of agriculture through technological advancements such as precision agriculture, robotics, and data-driven decision-making

Question 18

agriculture 4.0

Answer 18

another term for the fourth agricultural revolution, emphasising the role of digital technologies and connectivity in transforming agricultural practices

Question 19

digital farming

Answer 19

farming practices that leverage digital technologies and data analytics to optimise production, resource use, and decision-making (smart farming)

Question 20

robotics and autonomous systems

Answer 20

technologies involving the use of robots and automated systems to perform tasks in agricultural settings, such as planting, harvesting, and monitoring

Question 21

high-throughput phenotyping

Answer 21

the rapid and automated measurement of plant traits, often using technologies such as sensors, imaging, and machine learning, to accelerate breeding and crop improvement effort

Question 22

big data analysis

Answer 22

the process of analysing large and complex data sets to uncover patterns, trends, and insights that can inform decision-making in agriculture

Question 23

satellite remote sensing

Answer 23

the use of satellite-based sensors to collect data about the Earth’s surface, atmosphere, and oceans, often used for monitoring and managing agricultural resources

Question 24

nanotechnology

Answer 24

manipulation of matter in nanoscale, often used in agriculture for applications such as crop protection, nutrient delivery and soil remediation

Question 25

precision nano-agriculture

Answer 25

the application of nanotechnology in agriculture to enhance precision farming practices, such as targeted delivery of agrochemicals and sensors for monitoring soil and plant health and sustainability

Question 26

Eddy covariance

Answer 26

method used to measure the exchange of gasses, momentum and energy between the earth’s surface and the atmosphere providing insights into ecosystem processes such as carbon cycling and evapotranspiration

Question 27

RGB cameras

Answer 27

used for a wide range of applications in agriculture

evaluating crop development through spectral vegetation indices, identifying weeds, pests, and diseases, machine guidance, real-time spot spraying, and robotic weeding

Question 28

multispectral cameras

Answer 28

can offer more information compared to RGB cameras because they can include information from Near-infrared and the red edge (this spectral vegetation indices based on these bands is better for correlation with crop vigour compared to RGB bands)

Question 29

hyperspectral cameras

Answer 29

can offer the highest amount of information because of its ability to collect data in more than 50 bands. Accordingly, hyperspectral cameras have been used for weed identification, weed resistance to herbicides, disease detection and thermal micro-dosing

Question 30

thermal cameras

Answer 30

can be influenced by weather conditions and the change in altitude in case they are used with aerial platforms, while they must have adequate spectral or measurement resolution for appropriate can be influenced by weather conditions and the change in measurement of canopy temperature

Question 31

optical sensors

Answer 31

detect light intensity and convert light rays into an electrical output. Used to sense pressure displacement level, temperature level,…

In agriculture, it is mainly used to measure the soil properties such as PH, organic elements, phenotyping and more

Question 32

advantage of precision agriculture

Answer 32

• increased productivity
• reduced costs
• enhanced sustainability
• increased land values- better harvestability

Question 33

disadvantage of precision agriculture

Answer 33

• initial costs of technology adoption
• technical complexity
• challenges related to data management and interpretation
• potential for increased reliance on technology
• knowledge needed
• not accessible to everyone
• maintenance (not very sustainable)
• loss of jobs (not sustainable in the social aspect)

Question 34

smart farming

Answer 34

technology that relies on its implementation with the use of AI and the IoT in cyber-physical farm management