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Precision Agriculture in Arizona:A New Research and Extension Program

Pedro Andrade-SánchezAgricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department

Maricopa Agricultural Center, University of Arizona

PA in Arizona: Lines of Research

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PA in Arizona: The Program

• Pedro Andrade, Specialist (Aug, 2007)

• John Heun, Research Specialist (Feb, 2008)

• Instrumentation lab at MAC

• Engineering shop at MAC

PA in Arizona: Lines of Research

1. Plant characterization through yield monitoring andcontinuous seasonal measurements of plant height andreflectance and temperature of plant canopy

2. Effect of soil variability on plant development throughcontinuous measurement of soil electrical/mechanicalresponse and point soil sampling

3. Tractor/implement positioning control (machine) toenhance precision in row operations

4. Plant/soil/machine system integration through variablerate technology for production inputs

5. Resource conservation in the form of water, soil,energy etc.

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PA in Arizona: Lines of Research

1. Plant characterization through yield monitoring andcontinuous seasonal measurements of plant height andreflectance and temperature of plant canopy

2. Effect of soil variability on plant development throughcontinuous measurement of soil electrical/mechanicalresponse and point soil sampling

3. Tractor/implement positioning control (machine) toenhance precision in row operations

4. Plant/soil/machine system integration through variablerate technology for production inputs

5. Resource conservation in the form of water, soil,energy etc.

PA in Arizona: Lines of Research

1. Plant characterization through yield monitoring andcontinuous seasonal measurements of plant height andreflectance and temperature of plant canopy

2. Effect of soil variability on plant development throughcontinuous measurement of soil electrical/mechanicalresponse and point soil sampling

3. Tractor/implement positioning control (machine) toenhance precision in row operations

4. Plant/soil/machine system integration through variablerate technology for production inputs

5. Resource conservation in the form of water, soil,energy etc.

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PA in Arizona: Lines of Research

1. Plant characterization through yield monitoring andcontinuous seasonal measurements of plant height andreflectance and temperature of plant canopy

2. Effect of soil variability on plant development throughcontinuous measurement of soil electrical/mechanicalresponse and point soil sampling

3. Tractor/implement positioning control (machine) toenhance precision in row operations

4. Plant/soil/machine system integration through variablerate technology for production inputs

5. Resource conservation in the form of water, soil,energy etc.

PA in Arizona: Lines of Research

1. Plant characterization through yield monitoring andcontinuous seasonal measurements of plant height andreflectance and temperature of plant canopy

2. Effect of soil variability on plant development throughcontinuous measurement of soil electrical/mechanicalresponse and point soil sampling

3. Tractor/implement positioning control (machine) toenhance precision in row operations

4. Plant/soil/machine system integration through variablerate technology for production inputs

5. Resource conservation in the form of water, soil,energy etc.

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Characterizing Cotton Field Variability

Cotton yield monitor. MAC2007

Mapping Field Variability

2007 Yield Data. Field 06 at MAC. 2 acre ofCotton

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Characterizing Soil Electrical Response

Veris sensor. Apparent Electrical Conductivity (ECa)

Electrical Conductivity Mapping

Soil Electrical Survey. 20 ha field in Safford, AZ

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Characterizing Soil Mechanical Response

UCDavis soil compaction profilesensor

Characterizing Soil Mechanical Response

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UCD-SCPS 40-45cm

Cone Index 40-45cm

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Utilization of RTK infrastructure

Listing rows with Auto-guidancesystem

Row-crop Operations with RTK Guidance

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Canopy Reflectance Measurements

Final Remarks

• Collaboration is a key component of the PA program

• Research and development of VRT will follow after adequatecharacterization of plant and soil

• Research driven efforts so far, …. Where is Extension?

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Final Remarks

• Collaboration is a key component of the PA program

• Research and development of VRT will follow after adequatecharacterization of plant and soil

• Research driven efforts so far, …. Where is Extension?

Final Remarks

• Collaboration is a key component of the PA program

• Research and development of VRT will follow after adequatecharacterization of plant and soil

• Research driven efforts so far, …. Where is Extension?