-/Monika Klick
Institute of Agricultural Technology
Bundesallee 47
38116 Braunschweig
Phone: +49 531 596 4102/ 4103
Fax: +49 531 596 4199
at@thuenen.de
Contactless measurement methods for crop production
How can crop growth and crop stress be measured on the field? Will the future farmer be able to monitor the growth and state of his crop online from at home? We are working for a digital farming future. We are developing contactless measurement methods for crops on the field.
Precise knowledge about crop state is an essential requirement for an optimal crop management and for a sustainable use of resources. The farmer would be able to optimize many decisions, if he had access to current and reliable information based on measurements and models. Such decisions may concern weed management, irrigation, plant protection, and the optimal harvest date. Our institute has substantial experience in contactless sensors, automatic image analysis, construction of mobile and stationary field measurement systems with connection to the internet, and in the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). With the help of these technical means, we want to increase and to improve the information base for the farmer's decisions and automatic production systems. In addition, also plant breeding and most experimental trials have high need of quantitative sensor based information.
Our research first addresses the producers of agricultural machinery and of modern technical devices, as well as other service providers. They may decide how to integrate new measurement techniques in their products and services. Not only practical farmers, but also plant breeders and all persons involved in experimental trials will be the final user of these techniques.
Our practical work includes:
First results confirmed the expected statisical relation between contactlessly measured crop parameters and yield data. Further experiments are needed for validation and for evaluation of the potential of these methods.
4.2008 - 12.2025