Spot farming – an alternative for future plant production
2019
Sustainable intensification is described as the desirable
goal for agricultural production to increase agricultural
productivity while using less input and without adverse
environmental impacts. Increasing criticism on current
agricultural production systems as well as demographic
changes related with labour shortages in rural areas pose
major challenges to agriculture all over the world. In this
context, digitalization and autonomous machinery provide
new opportunities to adapt agriculture to future
demands. However, it is unknown what changes are necessary
for a sustainable intensification of cropping systems
and how future agriculture could look like under
consideration of new technologies.
Here we developed a concept for future cropping systems
with focus on the requirements of crops and landscapes.
In this concept, the agricultural area is classified
into individual spots according to their site-specific characteristics.
The resulting spot farming approach is completely
managed by an autonomous robot system on the
level of individual plants. High precision sowing, fertilization
and pesticide application could reduce agronomic
input and could increase yields. In addition, small robots
contribute to soil protection. Furthermore, the spot farming
approach considers landscape properties and has the
potential for a higher biodiversity and more structural
elements as well as an increased social acceptance.
The evaluation of the concept according to agronomical,
technical and economic aspects showed that the combination
of modern technologies and a reorganisation of
agricultural landscapes could contribute to the goal of
sustainable intensification.
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