In the evolving landscape of agronomy, integrating technology with traditional practices offers unprecedented benefits. Precision agriculture, especially, is transforming the meticulous care of vines and orchards, allowing for smarter, more sustainable interventions.
Georeferencing: More than Just a Location Marker
Georeferencing does more than just pinpoint locations—it meticulously logs actions and quantities.
– For example, in a vineyard, georeferencing can be an important tool to understand crop variabilities in the bud emergence stage across the same field. This can be an early indication of the flowering and (as a result) grape productivity, later in the season.
Viewer’s bud counting map, illustrating significant variabilities in grape farm.
– In precise orchard management, should certain apple trees show pest infestation signs, georeferencing helps track the exact pesticide dosage, refining future pest management strategies.
GPS in Agriculture: Precision Amidst Challenges
While GPS has revolutionized agronomic practices, it’s not without hurdles:
– Natural Obstructions: A hilly vineyard might cause GPS signal reflections.
– Atmospheric Factors: Certain conditions like ionospheric delays and geomagnetic storms can distort the GPS signal.
Innovative solutions have emerged in response:
– Advanced Equipment: Quality GPS equipment ensures consistent and reliable data.
– Differential GPS: This system cross-references with fixed points to correct discrepancies in real time.
– Satellite Augmentation: Systems like WAAS or EGNOS enhance the precision of GPS signals.
Beyond GPS: Tailoring Solutions to the Field
Where traditional GPS might have limitations, modern innovations fill the gap:
– RTK GPS: Offering near-perfect precision (centimeter-level accuracy), RTK is ideal for recording exact chemical applications. The stark difference between RTK and traditional GPS is evident in the image below:
A visual representation of the tractor’s trajectory consistency between RTK (blue line) and non-RTK GPS (red line), recorded in a vineyard. The precision and stability of RTK technology are evident
– Computer Vision & AI: Using visual features and advanced models for scene understanding, for estimating the pose and orientation of a moving object, therefore calculating the location at any given point.
The Promise of Targeted Chemical Application
With precise localization, agronomists can apply exactly what’s needed and where it’s needed. This not only conserves resources but also ensures that every inch of a field receives the best care. Over time, this data offers invaluable insights for compliance, research, and continuous improvement.
For today’s farmers and agronomists, it’s clear: GPS and precise localization are changing the game. By knowing exactly where things are happening in our fields, we can make better decisions, use resources more wisely, and tackle problems head-on. This isn’t just about farming with a fancy tool; it’s about making our work more accurate and our farms more productive. In Eden Library we are offering Viewer system (RTK-ready), aligned with our commitment to making advanced GPS technology for crop scouting both affordable and accessible, ensuring every farmer can benefit from this revolution.