Using remotely sensed
satellite and/or
aerial data as a crop
scouting tool directs
farmers to potential
problem areas of a
field or farm.

PRECISION AGRICULTURE

ITD has performed several precision agriculture projects within the context of the CATC. Initially projects focused on using remote sensing to target locations for applications of insecticide in cotton. The remotely sensed data was used to establish vegetation zones of tarnished plant bugs habitats and write digital prescriptions to guide the spray rigs to apply insecticide only on the plant bug habitats. Subsequent projects lead to using remote sensing to target herbicide, defoliant, nitrogen and plant growth regulator applications. The work began in the Mississippi delta but then expanded to an office in Champaign, Illinois that performed projects with corn, soybean and wheat. ITD, together with NASA, championed a program called AG 20/20 where NASA, USDA and commodity association money is applied to precision agriculture projects across the commodities of cotton, corn, soybean and wheat.

Besides the precision agriculture projects, ITD interests include coastal management and community development. ITD continues to actively pursue additional sources of work in other government and private projects. The expertise gained over the years provides a solid foundation for applying remote sensing, GIS and GPS technology skills to many diverse project requirements.

Samples of ITD AG 20/20 Projects:

• Delineation of Field Tile Locations using Remotely Sensed Imagery
• Evaluation of Remotely Sensed Imagery in Crop Scouting
• Image-Based Redvine Control
• Image-Based, Variable Rate Plant Growth Regulator at Perthshire Farms and Sheely Ranch
• In-Season Variable Rate Application of Nitrogen in Corn Based on Remotely Sensed Imagery
• The Use of Remote Sensing for Weed Detection, Delineation in Soybeans
• The Use of Remotely Sensed Imagery to Make Nitrogen Recommendations on Winter Wheat in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois
• Use of Remotely Sensed Imagery for Timing and Variable Rate Application of Cotton Defoliants
• Variable Rate Herbicide Using Remotely Sensed Imagery
• Adapting and Validating Precision Technologies for Cotton Production in the Mid-Southern U.S.
• Field Testing of a Sensor-Based Applicator for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization
• Validation and Application of Geospatial Information for Early Identification of Stress in Wheat