A major problem preventing widespread adoption of precision farming systems across Rural America is the availability of an efficient, low cost system of detecting crop stresses and subtle soil differences in farmers' fields. As much as one-half of crop yields are lost to potential crop stresses, even with modern farming techniques employed today. Many yield-robbing stresses go undetected when they are still relatively localized areas in the field. Effectiveness of most disease and insect treatments is dependent upon very early or pre-visible detection. Much research and development has been expended on various remote sensing technologies such as the visible and near infrared regions of the spectrum. Most remote sensing has been done with CCD (charged coupled device) cameras in both the Near Infrared and Visible light. However, all of these technologies have serious performance deficiencies that make them infeasible as a primary detection tool for crop production management. The proposed program is directed at demonstrating the feasibility and positive Socio-Economic impact on rural communities of the AMS remote sensing system's unique performance capacity.
Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research: Through widespread use of AMS' system or remote sensing by field scouts and growers, corrective treatments can be applied that will be more cost effective and yield responsive. Use of reliable, clutter-less imagery by field scouts will result in widespread adoption of field scouting by growers as their primary production management system. Billions of dollars in crop losses can be averted which will significantly reduce the cost per unit of crop produced. More family farmers will be able to pursue a more profitable career on the farm. Site specific application of treatments will protect the environment for future generations, concurrently.
