Development of Precision Agriculture Technologies to Improve Crop Productivity and Mitigate Environmental Risks: A Pathway to Sustainable Agriculture

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Precise management of agricultural inputs (fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, etc.) is one of the most significant challenges that the agricultural production system is facing. Currently, crop management practices within potato fields are implemented uniformly with inadequate attention being given to substantial variations in soil, crop, potential yield, climate and topographic features. Uniform applications not only increase the cost of production but also pose a serious threat to the environment (increased nutrient runoff to water bodies, sub-surface/groundwater leaching, volatilization and greenhouse gas emissions). This situation emphasizes the need for increased crop production, profitability and environmental protection, but this cannot be achieved if the fields are managed uniformly.This novel and innovative research program will develop, integrate and implement precision agriculture technologies and systems to identify spatial and temporal variations within fields. Sensing and control systems developed through this research will be incorporated into traditional agricultural machinery to produce intelligent machines to ensure best management practices (proper seed rate, variable agrochemical applications, efficient irrigation, etc.) on an as-needed basis. The long-term goal of this research is to develop novel, innovative, integrated and environmentally sound systems, through fundamental and applied engineering principles to improve yield and quality, while simultaneously ensuring economic and environmental sustainability. This research program will also examine the tradeoffs between productivity and environmental impact of newly developed machines, when compared with growers' uniform management. Over the next five years I will train 3 M.Sc, 2 PhD, 5 undergraduate students and a research technician. Utilizing a unique and state-of-the-art research facility we will develop innovative systems to optimize resource allocation for potato production in Canadian climate. Results arising from this research will be disseminated in journals, national/international conference proceedings, factsheets, field days, and grower meetings.This research will provide a new knowledge base for management of inputs in relation to soil, crop and yield variability. Sustainable inputs management will expand the marketing opportunities and improve socio-economic conditions in rural Canada. The novel technologies, procedures and protocols developed at UPEI will be transferred to other provinces in Canada to achieve sustainable production. The deliverables of this research will focus on potatoes; however, these technologies with modifications can be broadly applicable to other row and fruit crops. Site-specific management is not only beneficial for the agriculture sector but also the general public of Canada because of its environmental benefits.