Description of practice
Automated targeting is the application of smart farming techniques offered by artificial intelligence for implementing agronomic activities only where they are needed, saving on energy consumption and use of chemical inputs.
| Examples of how to use automated targeting | Further information (see Note below) |
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Weed mappingWeed distribution and density are photographed from ground level or from a drone. The images are uploaded to an app that displays weed density maps at field and farm level that can be used to prioritize and target weed control. |
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Targeted weed sprayingPlant recognition technology is mounted on a crop spraying system to identify and target particular weed species. This enables a vast reduction in herbicide use. |
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Robotic weederRobotic weeders that orientate themselves in the field by means of GPS, cameras and sensors are used to target weed species. The robot arm sprays minimal amounts of herbicides on the identified weeds, leading to vast reductions in herbicide use. |
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Automated pest monitoringCamera-equipped pheromone insect traps are used for automated pest monitoring. Pictures from traps are uploaded to a website where image processing and analytical software are used to recognize and monitor pests and provide recommendations. |
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Greenhouse plant disease predictionsAmbient monitoring sensors are combined with weather forecasts and other data to accurately predict the risk of disease outbreak and enable targeted intervention. Plant diseases can be difficult to control because once the signs have manifested, it is too late to take preventive action. |
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Satellite imagery-based recommendationsHigh resolution satellite imagery is analyzed together with agronomic data to provide recommendations for variable fertilizer or plant protection applications that can be imported to computer-managed farm equipment for implementation. |
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Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.