Single Plant Fertilization Using a Robotic Platform in an Organic Cropping Environment

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Abstract

The growing demand for organically produced vegetables requires the adoption of new cropping systems such as strip-cropping. To counteract the additional labour mixed cropping entails, automation and robotics play a key role. This research focuses on the development of a proof-of-concept platform that combines optical sensors and an actuation system for targeted precision fertilization that encircles selected plants rather than a local field area. Two sensor types are used for the detection of a fertilisation need: a multispectral camera and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) devices in order to acquire information on plant health status and three-dimensional characterisation. Specific algorithms were developed to more accurately detect a change in fertilization need. An analysis of their results yields a prescription map for automatic fertilisation through a robotic arm. The relative location of the platform within the prescription map is essential for the correct application of fertilizers, and is acquired through live comparison of a LiDAR pushbroom with the known 3D world model. The geometry of each single plant is taken into account for the application of the sprayed fertiliser. This resulted in a reliable method for the detection of delayed growth and prototype localization within a changing natural environment without relying on external markers.

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APA

Valero, C., Krus, A., Cruz Ulloa, C., Barrientos, A., Ramírez-Montoro, J. J., Del Cerro, J., & Guillén, P. (2022). Single Plant Fertilization Using a Robotic Platform in an Organic Cropping Environment. Agronomy, 12(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12061339

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